<P> The 2017 NHL Entry Draft was the 55th NHL Entry Draft . The draft was held from June 23--24, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois . The first three selections were Nico Hischier, Nolan Patrick and Miro Heiskanen . </P> <P> Ice hockey players born between January 1, 1997, and September 15, 1999, were eligible for selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft . Additionally, un-drafted, non-North American players born in 1996 were eligible for the draft; and those players who were drafted in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, but not signed by an NHL team and who were born after June 30, 1997, were 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 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> <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 had first pick in 2017 nhl draft