NHL Draft Lottery results: Islanders win No. 1 overall pick for first time in 16 years

A lottery system is put in place to prevent teams from purposely tanking in order to grab the highest draft pick possible. 

The New York Islanders won the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery, jumping up from 10th. They were given just a 3.5 percent chance of winning the top pick. 

This marks the first time in 16 years the Isles got the top pick in the draft, the last in which they took centre John Tavares (2009). 

The other No. 1 picks in Islanders history include goalie Rick DiPietro (2000), defenceman Denis Potvin (1973), and forward Billy Harris (1972). 

Here are the full results and where the first 16 teams will be drafting in the upcoming NHL Draft, which is set to take place between June 27th (first round) and June 28th (rounds 2-8).

1. New York Islanders

2. San Jose Sharks

3. Chicago Blackhawks

4. Utah Hockey Club

5. Nashville Predators

6. Philadelphia Flyers

7. Boston Bruins

8. Seattle Kraken

9. Buffalo Sabres

10. Anaheim Ducks

11. Pittsburgh Penguins

12. New York Rangers

13. Detroit Red Wings

14. Columbus Blue Jackets

15. Vancouver Canucks

16. Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary)