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What Counts as a First-Round Pick? (Explainer + Rules)

A "first-round pick" sounds simple: one of the selections in round one of the NHL Entry Draft. But the CBA and draft rules create some edge cases. Traded picks, compensatory selections, and expansion rules can blur the definition. This article explains exactly what counts as a first-round pick, covering trades, conditions, compensatory picks, and special circumstances.

January 25, 2026

Basic Definition

Understanding the fundamental first-round pick concept:

The NHL Entry Draft is divided into rounds equal to the number of teams in the league (currently 32), with each team initially holding one pick per round. A first-round pick is any selection whose numerical position falls within that round (picks 1-32 in a 32-team league).

Core Rules:

First round = picks 1 through 32 (in 32-team league)
Each team starts with one first-round pick
Picks can be traded but remain first-rounders
Numerical position determines round, not team

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Traded First-Round Picks

How trades affect first-round status:

Teams frequently trade their first-round picks for players or prospects. The pick's status as "first-round" doesn't change regardless of which team actually uses it.

Trading Rules:

Pick remains first-round regardless of who owns it
Original draft position determines round status
Can be traded multiple times before use
Team using pick gets credit for selection

Example: If Boston trades its 2026 first-round pick to Arizona, and Arizona uses it to select 15th overall, that player is considered a first-round pick by Arizona, but Boston traded away a first-rounder.

Conditional First-Round Picks

Understanding protected and conditional selections:

Conditions can be attached to traded first-round picks, but the league still regards the selection's original position as first-round.

Common Conditions:

Top-10 Protection: If pick lands top-10, it slides to future year
Playoff-Based: Pick changes hands based on playoff performance
Player-Based: Conditions triggered by player achievements
Multi-Year Options: Pick can slide to different years

Example: Team A trades a 2026 first-round pick, top-10 protected. If the pick lands top-10, it slides to 2027, but both years are still first-round assets.

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Lottery Picks and First-Round Status

How draft lottery affects first-round picks:

The NHL draft lottery determines the order of the first 16 picks (previously 14, then 15). Lottery results don't change first-round status, they just reorder positions 1-16.

Lottery Rules:

Bottom 16 teams enter lottery
Top two picks determined by lottery balls
Remaining picks assigned by standings
All picks 1-32 remain first-rounders

Example: Chicago finishes last but loses lottery, dropping to third overall. Their pick is still a first-rounder, just at position three instead of one.

Compensatory Picks

Understanding compensation selections:

If a team fails to sign its first-round pick within the CBA-mandated window and the player re-enters the draft or becomes UFA, the team receives a compensatory pick.

Compensation Rules:

Compensation pick is NOT another first-rounder
It's a second-round selection at same numerical position
Occurs in following year's draft
Original first-round status tied to initial draft year

Example: Team fails to sign the seventh overall pick. They receive the seventh pick of the second round next year (39th overall in 32-team league), which is NOT a first-round pick.

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Expansion Draft vs Entry Draft

Clarifying different draft types:

Expansion drafts (Vegas 2017, Seattle 2021) are separate events where new teams select players from existing rosters under protection rules. These selections do not count as entry-draft first-round picks.

Key Differences:

Expansion drafts select existing NHL players
Entry drafts select prospects and juniors
Expansion picks are separate category
Expansion teams still get entry-draft first-rounders

Example: Vegas selected Marc-Andre Fleury in 2017 expansion draft. This was NOT a first-round pick. Vegas's first entry-draft first-round pick was Cody Glass (6th, 2017).

Unsigned First-Rounders and Re-Entry

What happens when first-rounders aren't signed:

If a first-round pick is not signed and re-enters the draft, his second selection is treated as a new pick, tied to the new round and number.

Re-Entry Rules:

Player loses original first-round status if not signed
Second selection determines new round/position
Historical tracking still counts original first-round designation
Two different draft years, two different statuses

Example: Player drafted 10th overall (first round) isn't signed. He re-enters draft and is selected 50th overall (second round). For historical purposes, he's still "originally a first-rounder" but his final draft position is second round.

Forfeited First-Round Picks

How teams lose first-round selections:

NHL can strip teams of first-round picks as punishment for salary cap violations, tampering, or other infractions.

Forfeiture Rules:

Team loses the pick entirely
No compensatory selection given
Draft continues without that team
Pick numbers shift (31 picks instead of 32)

Examples:

Arizona forfeited 2020 first-rounder for draft combine violations
New Jersey forfeited 2014 first-rounder for Kovalchuk cap circumvention

The forfeited pick doesn't exist, making that year's first round shorter.

International First-Round Picks

How nationality affects first-round status:

A player's nationality doesn't change their first-round status. European, Asian, or other international players drafted in first round are still first-rounders.

International Rules:

First-round status based on draft position only
Nationality irrelevant to round designation
Same signing windows apply
Transfer agreements govern European leagues

Example: Rasmus Dahlin (Sweden) went first overall in 2018. He's a first-round pick despite being Swedish, same as any North American first overall.

Supplemental and Special Drafts

Other draft types and first-round status:

NHL has held supplemental drafts for special circumstances. These picks are separate from entry-draft first-rounders.

Special Cases:

Supplemental Draft (1986-1994): Separate event, picks not counted as first-rounders
Dispersal Drafts: When teams fold, separate from entry draft
Special Compensatory: League-granted exceptions

These rare events don't affect entry-draft first-round status.

How to Use This Information

Applying first-round pick knowledge:

In Awards Articles: Treat "first-round pick" based on original draft slot, regardless of trades or re-entries.
In Historical Analysis: Player drafted 10th overall remains first-rounder even if traded or unsigned.
In Team Analysis: Traded first-rounders count for team using pick, not original owner.
In Player Profiles: Original draft position determines first-round status for career statistics.

The Verdict

A first-round pick is any selection in positions 1-32 of the NHL Entry Draft. This status doesn't change based on trades, though compensatory picks are NOT first-rounders (they're second-round).

Expansion draft selections are separate from entry-draft first-rounders. Forfeited picks don't exist, and re-entered players get new draft status based on second selection.

For statistical purposes, treat first-round status based on original draft slot and year, maintaining consistency across historical analysis.

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