<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 Buffalo Sabres , Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens won the lotteries that took place on April 28 , 2018 , giving them the first , second and third picks overall . The Buffalo Sabres retained the top pick , while Carolina moved up nine spots and Montreal moved up one spot . In the process , the Ottawa Senators and Arizona Coyotes moved down two spots from second and third overall , respectively , while the Detroit Red Wings , Vancouver Canucks , Chicago Blackhawks , New York Rangers , Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders each dropped one spot . </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 Buffalo Sabres , Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens won the lotteries that took place on April 28 , 2018 , giving them the first , second and third picks overall . The Buffalo Sabres retained the top pick , while Carolina moved up nine spots and Montreal moved up one spot . In the process , the Ottawa Senators and Arizona Coyotes moved down two spots from second and third overall , respectively , while the Detroit Red Wings , Vancouver Canucks , Chicago Blackhawks , New York Rangers , Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders each dropped one spot . </P>
who got the first pick in the nhl draft 2018
who got the first pick in the nhl draft 2018
The Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres