<P> The 2018 NHL Entry Draft was the 56th NHL Entry Draft . The draft was held on June 22--23, 2018, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas . The first three selections were Rasmus Dahlin going to the Buffalo Sabres, Andrei Svechnikov being selected by the Carolina Hurricanes, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi being picked by the Montreal Canadiens . </P> <P> Ice hockey players that were born between January 1, 1998, and September 15, 2000, are eligible for selection in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft . Additionally, undrafted, non-North American players born in 1997 are eligible for the draft; and those players who were drafted in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, but not signed by an NHL team and who were born after June 30, 1998, are also eligible to re-enter the draft . </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> <Table> <Tr> <Td> Indicates team won first overall </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Indicates team won second overall </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Indicates team won third overall </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Indicates teams that did not win a lottery </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Who got the first pick in the nhl draft 2018