<P> Since the 2012 -- 13 NHL season all teams not qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs have a `` weighted '' chance at winning the first overall selection . Beginning with the 2014 -- 15 NHL season the NHL changed the weighting system that was used in previous years . Under the new system the odds of winning the draft lottery for the four lowest finishing teams in the league decreased , while the odds for the other non-playoff teams increased . The first three picks overall in this draft were awarded by lottery . The odds of winning the second and third draws increased on a proportional basis depending on which team won the previous draw . In the 2017 draft lottery , the expansion Vegas Golden Knights had the same odds of winning the lottery as the team that finished with the third fewest points in the 2016 -- 17 NHL season ( this ended up being the Arizona Coyotes ) . Vegas earned the lowest possible pick that they could receive , and selected sixth overall in the first - round and third in each subsequent round of this draft . The New Jersey Devils , Philadelphia Flyers , and Dallas Stars won the draft lotteries that took place on April 29 , 2017 , giving them the first , second and third picks overall . New Jersey moved up four spots to earn the first selection , while Philadelphia and Dallas moved up from the thirteenth and eighth spots , respectively . In the process , the Colorado Avalanche , Vancouver Canucks , Vegas Golden Knights , and Arizona Coyotes were each knocked down three places from first , second , third and fourth overall , respectively , while the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings dropped two spots and the Florida Panthers , Los Angeles Kings , Carolina Hurricanes , and Winnipeg Jets each dropped one place . </P>
<P> Since the 2012 -- 13 NHL season all teams not qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs have a `` weighted '' chance at winning the first overall selection . Beginning with the 2014 -- 15 NHL season the NHL changed the weighting system that was used in previous years . Under the new system the odds of winning the draft lottery for the four lowest finishing teams in the league decreased , while the odds for the other non-playoff teams increased . The first three picks overall in this draft were awarded by lottery . The odds of winning the second and third draws increased on a proportional basis depending on which team won the previous draw . In the 2017 draft lottery , the expansion Vegas Golden Knights had the same odds of winning the lottery as the team that finished with the third fewest points in the 2016 -- 17 NHL season ( this ended up being the Arizona Coyotes ) . Vegas earned the lowest possible pick that they could receive , and selected sixth overall in the first - round and third in each subsequent round of this draft . The New Jersey Devils , Philadelphia Flyers , and Dallas Stars won the draft lotteries that took place on April 29 , 2017 , giving them the first , second and third picks overall . New Jersey moved up four spots to earn the first selection , while Philadelphia and Dallas moved up from the thirteenth and eighth spots , respectively . In the process , the Colorado Avalanche , Vancouver Canucks , Vegas Golden Knights , and Arizona Coyotes were each knocked down three places from first , second , third and fourth overall , respectively , while the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings dropped two spots and the Florida Panthers , Los Angeles Kings , Carolina Hurricanes , and Winnipeg Jets each dropped one place . </P>
who had first pick in 2017 nhl draft
who had first pick in 2017 nhl draft
New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils