The 2016 NHL Entry Draft was the 54th annual selection of amateur ice hockey players by National Hockey League (NHL) franchises, held over two days on June 24 and 25 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York.[1] Hosted by the Buffalo Sabres, the event consisted of seven rounds and a total of 211 picks, with the Toronto Maple Leafs selecting centerAuston Matthews from the U.S. National Team Development Program as the first overall pick.[2][3]This draft class is widely regarded as one of the most talented in recent NHL history, producing multiple franchise cornerstones and Calder Trophy winners.[4] Matthews, the top selection, went on to win the league's Rookie of the Year award in the 2016–17 season after scoring an NHL rookie-record 40 goals.[5] Other standout first-round picks included Finnish sniper Patrik Laine, taken second overall by the Winnipeg Jets and known for his elite goal-scoring ability, as well as Matthew Tkachuk (sixth overall, Calgary Flames) and Clayton Keller (seventh overall, Arizona Coyotes), both of whom developed into high-impact forwards.[2] The draft also featured a record 12 American players selected in the first round alone, contributing to a total of 55 U.S.-born prospects chosen across all rounds.[6]Beyond the top talents, the 2016 draft emphasized depth, with later-round selections like Alex DeBrincat (second round, Chicago Blackhawks) and Adam Fox (third round, Calgary Flames) emerging as reliable NHL contributors.[7] NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman presided over the proceedings, announcing picks amid a lively atmosphere in Buffalo, a city selected as host to capitalize on its hockey heritage.[8] Overall, the event highlighted the growing internationalization of the sport, with strong representation from North America, Europe, and beyond.[2]
Eligibility and Rules
Player Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft was determined by the rules set forth in Article 8 of the 2013 NHL-NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which applied to that year's proceedings. Under Section 8.4(a), players born between January 1, 1996, and September 15, 1998, were generally eligible, encompassing North American skaters who turned 18, 19, or 20 during the 2016 calendar year, with the September 15 cutoff ensuring consistency in developmental cohorts. For 2016, this included undrafted non-North American players born in 1995. Exceptions permitted overage European players—those born as early as January 1, 1995—to participate if they had not previously been drafted or signed a professional contract making them ineligible. This distinction accounted for differences in international development paths, where European prospects often enter higher-level competition earlier than their North American counterparts.[9][2][10]North American players, particularly those in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL)—comprising the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Western Hockey League (WHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)—faced uniform age limits up to 20, with no extensions beyond that for draft purposes. The NHL-CHL transfer agreement further imposed post-draft restrictions on these players, prohibiting them from playing in the American Hockey League (AHL) until they reached age 20 or completed four full seasons in the CHL, thereby preserving the junior league's developmental role.[11]Amateur status was a core requirement, mandating that eligible players had not signed a professional contract with an NHL club or become unrestricted free agents through prior NHL play. Players could not have played more than 10 games in the NHL during the preceding season, as this could affect limited exposure exceptions under CBA guidelines. International players in European professional leagues like the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) remained eligible if under the age threshold and without a binding pro contract that invoked the reserve list exception.[9][10]Players were ineligible under circumstances including placement on an NHL club's reserve list (except for short-term tryouts), having been selected in two prior Entry Drafts, or holding a prior professional contract that resulted in NHL free agency status. Participation in certain professional leagues under full pro terms, such as extended stints in the KHL or other elite circuits beyond amateur allowances, could also render a player undraftable if it violated CBA amateur protections.[9]
Draft Selection Rules
The NHL Entry Draft selection order is determined primarily by the reverse order of the teams' regular-season standings from the preceding season, with non-playoff teams selecting before those that qualified for the playoffs.[9] Within each group, playoff teams are ordered by their finish within their conferences, while non-playoff teams are ranked by points percentage.[9] The first three picks overall are assigned via a weighted lottery among the non-playoff teams to promote competitive balance, after which the order proceeds in reverse standings for the remainder of the first round and all subsequent rounds.[9] This process may be adjusted for protected picks stemming from prior trades, where conditional terms—such as top-10 protection—require the conveying team to retain the pick if it falls within the specified range, often deferring it to the following year's draft.[12]The draft consists of seven rounds, with each of the 30 teams initially allocated one selection per round, resulting in a standard total of 210 picks unless altered by trades, forfeitures, or compensatory awards.[9] In 2016, trades and other adjustments led to 211 total selections across the seven rounds.[7]Draft picks can be traded at any time before or during the event, allowing teams to acquire or relinquish selections to target specific prospects or adjust strategy, though all trades must be finalized and approved by the league prior to the relevant pick being made.[9]For drafted players who remain unsigned, teams hold exclusive negotiating rights for two years following selection.[9] If a first-round pick goes unsigned after this period, the original team receives compensatory selection in the subsequent draft's second round at the same numerical position.[9] Unsigned players become unrestricted free agents after two years, with no compensation to the original team beyond the first-round compensatory pick.[9]
Pre-Draft Developments
NHL Draft Lottery
The 2016 NHL Draft Lottery took place on April 30, 2016, at the NHL Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, and was broadcast live on NBC in the United States and CBC and Sportsnet in Canada.[13][14] This event determined the order of the first three selections among the 14 non-playoff teams, setting the stage for the overall draft order by integrating the lottery results with the reverse standings of the remaining teams.[15]The lottery odds were weighted inversely to each team's regular-season performance, with the three worst teams receiving the highest probabilities for the top picks to discourage intentional underperformance. The Edmonton Oilers, who finished with the third-fewest points among non-playoff teams, held a 13.5 percent chance of securing the first overall selection, while the Vancouver Canucks had 11.5 percent and the Columbus Blue Jackets had 9.5 percent.[16][17] This structure ensured that poorer-performing teams had better odds, but the system capped any upward movement at 10 positions from a team's initial draft slot based on standings.[15]The selection process involved three separate draws conducted using a lottery machine containing 14 ping-pong balls numbered 1 through 14, from which four balls were drawn to form a unique four-digit combination out of 1,001 possible outcomes. Each non-playoff team was assigned a proportional number of these combinations based on their odds, with the drawn combination determining the winner of that draw; the process repeated for the second and third picks, adjusting odds proportionally for remaining teams after each result.[15] This marked the debut of the expanded lottery format introduced for 2016, which extended eligibility for the top three picks to all non-playoff clubs rather than limiting it to the five worst teams as in prior years, aiming to promote competitive balance across the league.The Toronto Maple Leafs, who entered with the best odds at 20 percent after finishing last in the league, won the first draw and secured the No. 1 overall pick—their first such selection since drafting Wendel Clark in 1985 and their inaugural victory in the NHL Draft Lottery since its inception in 1995.[15][16] The Winnipeg Jets claimed the second pick, and the Columbus Blue Jackets took third, reshaping the top of the draft order and providing a significant boost to Toronto amid a rebuilding phase following years of postseason absence since their last Stanley Cup in 1967.[15][18]
Scouting Combine and Prospect Rankings
The 2016 NHL Scouting Combine took place from May 30 to June 4 at the HarborCenter and First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York, serving as a key pre-draft evaluation event for eligible prospects.[19] A total of 114 players were invited by NHL Central Scouting, including 97 from North America and 17 from Europe, allowing teams to conduct in-depth assessments.[20] The combine featured a range of activities, such as fitness testing—including VO2 max testing on a stationary bike to measure aerobic capacity, bench press repetitions for upper-body strength, standing long jump for lower-body power, and agility shuttle runs—along with comprehensive medical examinations and formal interviews with team representatives.[21]Leading into the draft, prospect rankings were shaped by several authoritative sources, providing teams with comparative evaluations. NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings, separating North American skaters (topped by Auston Matthews), goalies, and international prospects (led by Patrik Laine).[22] International Scouting Services (ISS) published its pre-draft top 30, emphasizing long-term scouting data from age 14 onward, with Matthews at No. 1 and Laine at No. 2.[23] TSN's Craig Button ranked Matthews first, followed by Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi, focusing on skill sets and NHL readiness.[24] HockeyProspect.com's final top 30 similarly placed Matthews at the top, highlighting his elite scoring ability from the Swiss league.[25]The combine influenced final rankings through observed performances and interactions, leading to notable shifts among prospects. For instance, forward Clayton Keller rose significantly in post-combine evaluations due to strong interview showings and agility test results, climbing into the top 10 consensus.[26] Defenseman Jakob Chychrun impressed with his fitness metrics, including a top-tier bench press, bolstering his status as a top-five candidate.[19] Conversely, some players like forward Alexander Nylander experienced minor drops after underwhelming medical or endurance tests, though overall talent assessments remained dominant.[26]General managers and scouting staffs utilized combine data to refine their draft boards and conduct mock drafts, integrating fitness, medical, and interview insights with on-ice scouting reports.[21] This process helped teams assess injury risks and character fits, informing trade discussions and selection strategies in the weeks before the June 24-25 draft in Buffalo.[27]
Top Prospects
The 2016 NHL Entry Draft class was headlined by a trio of elite forwards, with Auston Matthews universally ranked as the top prospect across major scouting services. The 18-year-old American center from Scottsdale, Arizona, made history by signing with the ZSC Lions of Switzerland's National League A as the first North American-born skater to play there at age 17, where he tallied 24 goals and 22 assists in 36 regular-season games, demonstrating exceptional maturity against professional competition. Matthews' path to Europe stemmed from his development with the U.S. National Team Development Program in the USHL, where league rules and his preference for professional exposure over major junior hockey influenced his unique trajectory. His elite two-way game, combining superior puck protection, vision, and scoring touch, positioned him as a projected franchise center capable of driving offensive and defensive play at the NHL level.[28]Patrik Laine, a Finnish right winger for Tappara in Finland's Liiga, emerged as the consensus No. 2 prospect, captivating scouts with his lethal shot and goal-scoring prowess at just 17 years old. In the 2015-16 season, Laine set the Liiga rookie record for goals with 17 in 46 regular-season games, adding 16 assists for 33 points, before exploding for 10 goals in 18 playoff contests to earn league playoff MVP honors.[29] His 6-foot-4 frame, quick release, and one-timer accuracy highlighted his strengths as a pure sniper, with projections envisioning him as an elite power-play weapon and 40-goal scorer in the NHL.[30]Completing the top three in most pre-draft rankings was Jesse Puljujärvi, another Finnish right winger who showcased his blend of size and skill with Karpat in Liiga. At 6-foot-3 and 201 pounds, the 17-year-old recorded 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points in 50 regular-season games, excelling in physical battles while displaying strong skating and playmaking ability.[31] Puljujärvi's two-way potential and transition game marked him as a versatile top-six forward, capable of contributing on both special teams units.[32]Rankings beyond the top three showed notable variation among experts, with disagreements centering on picks 4 through 5; while some services favored defenseman Jakob Chychrun or forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Pierre-Luc Dubois for their physicality and upside, others elevated American centerClayton Keller into the mix. Playing for the U.S. NTDP in the USHL, the 5-foot-10 Keller posted 37 goals and 107 points in 62 games, rising rapidly due to his exceptional hockey IQ, creativity, and ability to create offense in tight spaces, projecting him as a skilled playmaking center.[33] These mock draft discrepancies underscored the depth of the class, with scouts debating between high-floor Europeans and dynamic North American talents.The prominence of Laine and Puljujärvi among the elite prospects emphasized the increasing international flavor of the draft pool, as European leagues like Liiga produced more NHL-ready teenagers compared to traditional North American pipelines, reflecting broader trends in global talent identification.[32]
Draft Event
Location and Schedule
The 2016 NHL Entry Draft was held at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York, marking the city's first time hosting the event since 1998.[1] The arena, home to the Buffalo Sabres, served as the venue to showcase the league's commitment to revitalizing hockey interest in the region during the team's rebuilding phase.The draft spanned two days, with the first and second rounds conducted on June 24, 2016, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by rounds 3 through 7 on June 25, beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET. The first round drew a sold-out crowd of approximately 19,000 spectators, filling the arena's capacity.[34] Broadcast coverage included live telecasts on NBCSN for the first round and NHL Network for all rounds, with streaming available on NHL.com and the NHL app for viewers worldwide.The event adhered to the league's established format, featuring NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announcing selections from a central stage, a tradition that enhanced the ceremony's visibility.[35] Complementing the main proceedings, ancillary activities included the NHL Draft Fan Fest at nearby Canalside, which attracted thousands with interactive games, player autograph sessions, giveaways, and live entertainment to engage the local community.[36]
First Round
The first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 24, 2016, at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York, where NHL CommissionerGary Bettman announced each selection as prospects walked onstage to don their new team's jersey, often sharing joyful embraces with family and drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowd.[37] The evening featured 30 picks, with a record 12 American-born players selected, highlighting the depth of U.S. talent in that year's class.[6] Selections in the early picks aligned closely with pre-draft rankings, starting with center Auston Matthews going first overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs, followed by sniper Patrik Laine to the Winnipeg Jets at second.[2]Several trades involving first-round picks occurred during the round, adding intrigue to the proceedings. Notable among them was the Winnipeg Jets trading their 22nd overall pick and 36th overall pick (second round) to the Philadelphia Flyers for the 18th overall selection, allowing Winnipeg to draft towering defenseman Logan Stanley earlier than anticipated while Philadelphia later chose forward German Rubtsov at 22nd.[38] Another key deal saw the Ottawa Senators acquire the 11th pick from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for their 12th pick and a 2017 third-round selection, enabling Ottawa to select center Logan Brown.[39]The round included several surprises, such as the Jets' selection of Stanley at 18th, viewed by scouts as a reach since he was projected as a second- or third-round talent due to his raw physical tools despite his 6-foot-7 frame.[40] Similarly, the Boston Bruins' choice of forward Trent Frederic at 29th caught observers off guard, as he ranked outside most top-30 lists but brought size and American pedigree from the U.S. National Team Development Program.[41]
Rounds 2 through 7 of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft featured 181 selections across the six rounds, following the 30 picks in the first round, for a total of 211 draftees overall.[2] These later rounds emphasized depth-building for NHL teams, with a clear positional trend favoring forwards, who accounted for the majority of selections, compared to defensemen and goaltenders.[2] This imbalance reflected scouting priorities on offensive talent amid a league-wide emphasis on skill and speed, though defensive prospects remained prominent in mid-rounds.[7]Trade activity was robust, with over 20 transactions recorded during these rounds, including several multi-pick swaps that allowed teams to consolidate or diversify their selections.[38] For instance, the Philadelphia Flyers acquired a second-round pick (No. 36, Pascal Laberge) from the Winnipeg Jets as part of a larger deal involving first-round assets, while the Detroit Red Wings traded multiple later picks to move up for forward Maxim Golod in the fifth round.[38] No picks were forfeited during the draft, ensuring a full slate of selections despite prior compensatory adjustments from earlier years.[7]European selections showed a steady presence in the later rounds, with teams increasingly targeting international talent for cost-effective depth; round 2 had 8 Europeans, dropping slightly to an average of 5–6 per round thereafter, highlighting a trend toward broader global scouting in the draft's backend.[2] Notable picks emerged as steals, such as Chicago's selection of forward Alex DeBrincat (No. 39, round 2), who has amassed over 500 NHL points as a dynamic scorer, and Calgary's choice of defenseman Adam Fox (No. 66, round 3), a Norris Trophy winner (2021) known for his elite puck-moving ability who was later traded to the New York Rangers in 2019.[2] Other standouts included St. Louis' Jordan Kyrou (No. 35, round 2), a high-end goal-scorer with over 340 NHL points, and New Jersey's Jesper Bratt (No. 162, round 6), who has developed into a consistent top-line contributor and NHL All-Star (as of 2023).[7]The following tables summarize key selections from each round, focusing on representative players with notable potential or outcomes, including their position, nationality, drafting team, and prior league/team.
This distribution highlighted a continued emphasis on North American talent while showing strong European contributions. The high number of American selections, including a record 12 in the first round alone, underscored the expanding U.S. player pool.[6]Breaking down the North American origins further revealed regional concentrations. Among Canadians, Ontario was the leading province with 37 players, many emerging from the Ontario Hockey League, while Quebec followed with 16 draftees. Other provinces like Alberta (14) and British Columbia (7) also contributed significantly. In the United States, Minnesota led all states with 11 selections, reflecting its status as a hockey hotbed; Massachusetts produced 3 players, including notable prep school talents. Overall, American draftees hailed from 19 states, with Florida (5) and Michigan (8) also prominent. These sub-regional patterns tied loosely to major junior and high school leagues but emphasized birthplaces and early development hubs.[43][44][6][45]
North American Region
Leading Areas
Number of Draftees (Examples)
Canada (87 total)
Ontario
37
Quebec
16
United States (55 total)
Minnesota
11
Massachusetts
3
Compared to the 2015 draft, the 2016 class saw sustained American representation at 55, matching the prior year's total and signaling steady growth in U.S. talent depth. European selections showed mixed trends: Swedish players increased to 25 from 19 in 2015, while Russian numbers held at 17 amid ongoing challenges with international transfers and league commitments; Finnish prospects rose modestly to 15 from 11, driven by robust youth systems. These shifts illustrated evolving global scouting priorities.[46]
Leagues and Teams of Origin
The 2016 NHL Entry Draft drew the majority of its selections from major junior hockey leagues, underscoring their role as primary talent pipelines for North American prospects. The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) dominated with 96 players selected across its three member leagues, representing approximately 45% of the total 211 draftees. This emphasis on CHL talent reflected the league's structured development system, which prepares players for professional transitions through high-level competition and scouting visibility. Note that categories like NCAA commitments overlap with current leagues such as USHL.[47]Within the CHL, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) led with 48 selections, followed by the Western Hockey League (WHL) with 34 and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with 14. The OHL's strong showing highlighted its concentration of elite forwards and defensemen, while the WHL contributed a balanced mix of skilled Western Canadian and American players. The QMJHL, though smaller in output, produced high-impact picks like Pierre-Luc Dubois, selected third overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets.[43][48][49]The following table summarizes the distribution of draftees by key leagues of origin (non-exclusive where noted):
League
Number of Players
Notes
CHL (total)
96
Includes OHL, WHL, QMJHL; 15 first-round picks.[47]
4 first-round picks, strong Western representation.[48]
QMJHL
14
2 first-round picks; focus on bilingual development.[49]
USHL
44
Primarily American prospects; includes NTDP players with USHL ties.[6]
NCAA commitments
35
U.S.-based recruits (overlaps with USHL/high school); emerging pathway for college-bound talent.[6]
European leagues (total)
69
Diverse pro and junior circuits; SHL (15), Liiga (10).[2]
The United States Hockey League (USHL) emerged as a key feeder for American players, with 44 draftees, many from the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP), which competes in the USHL. This league's focus on skill development and international exposure contributed to a record 12 first-round American selections overall. Meanwhile, 35 players committed to NCAA programs were drafted, signaling the rising appeal of college hockey as a developmental route for U.S. prospects seeking education alongside athletics—a trend influenced by national preferences for structured academic paths.[6]European leagues provided a diverse pool of 69 players, with the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) contributing 15 and the Finnish Liiga 10, often featuring physically mature prospects from professional environments. Other notable European sources included junior leagues in Russia (MHL) and Sweden (J20 Nationell), emphasizing international scouting depth. The CHL's dominance contrasted with these pipelines, as major junior accounted for over half of North American selections, while U.S. leagues like the USHL and NCAA gained ground among American-born players.[2]Several teams stood out as prolific producers of draft-eligible talent, with the London Knights (OHL) leading at seven selections, including Matthew Tkachuk (6th overall) and Max Jones (83rd overall). The Erie Otters (OHL) followed with five draftees, highlighted by Alex DeBrincat (39th overall) and Logan Brown (52nd overall), showcasing the OHL's offensive depth. In the USHL, the Muskegon Lumberjacks had four picks, such as Rem Pitlick (36th overall), demonstrating the league's role in developing mobile, skilled Americans.[7][43][50]The table below lists select top teams by number of draftees:
Unique cases included overage players (born in 1997 or earlier) from KHL affiliates, who brought professional experience to later rounds. Notable examples were Egor Korshkov from Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (31st overall, Toronto Maple Leafs), Anatoly Golyshev from Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg (181st overall, Arizona Coyotes), and Maxim Mamin from CSKA Moscow (175th overall, Florida Panthers), illustrating teams' interest in mature European pros for depth.[7]
Post-Draft Outcomes
Notable Career Trajectories
The 2016 NHL entry draft class has produced several superstar forwards who quickly established themselves as elite scorers and award winners in the league. Auston Matthews, selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top rookie in 2016-17 after leading all first-year players with 40 goals and 69 points.[51] He has since captured the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the league's leading goal scorer three times, in 2020-21, 2021-22 (60 goals), and 2023-24 (69 goals), while amassing 717 career points by the end of the 2024-25 season.[52] Patrik Laine, drafted second overall by the Winnipeg Jets, burst onto the scene with a franchise-record 44 goals as a rookie in 2017-18, finishing second in Calder voting and showcasing his lethal one-timer shot.[53] Matthew Tkachuk, taken sixth overall by the Calgary Flames, evolved into a two-way force, considered a candidate for the Selke Trophy in 2025 for his defensive prowess alongside offensive production, highlighted by his physical play and playoff impact.[54]Among key contributors, Jake Guentzel, selected 77th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, played a pivotal role in back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2017 and 2019, leading the playoffs in goals (13) as a rookie en route to the first title and adding 21 playoff points the following year.[55]Clayton Keller, drafted seventh overall by the Arizona Coyotes (now Utah Mammoth), has delivered playmaking excellence, recording a career-high 60 assists in 2024-25 while anchoring the top line.[56]Not all draftees achieved immediate or sustained NHL success, with some experiencing setbacks before rebounding. Jesse Puljujärvi, picked fourth overall by the Edmonton Oilers, faced development challenges and injuries early but went on to play 387 NHL games through the 2024-25 season; in 2024-25, he signed a two-way contract with the Florida Panthers and contributed to the Charlotte Checkers' run to the Calder Cup Finals in the AHL.[57][58] Collectively, the class has logged approximately 21,400 NHL games by the end of the 2024-25 season, reflecting broad participation across the league despite varying individual outcomes.[7]The draft class has garnered significant accolades, with 12 players selected to NHL All-Star Games by 2025, including Matthews (six appearances), Tkachuk (four), and Guentzel (three).[59] Several contributed to championship runs, notably Tkachuk with the Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup victories in 2024 (22 playoff points) and 2025 (23 playoff points in 23 games), helping secure the franchise's first two titles.[60][61]
Several trades involving 2016 NHL entry draft picks occurred in the months leading up to the event on June 24–25, 2016, as teams maneuvered to acquire additional selections or consolidate assets for targeted acquisitions. One notable pre-draft transaction took place on May 25, 2016, when the Florida Panthers traded defenseman Erik Gudbranson and their fifth-round pick to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Jared McCann, allowing Vancouver to bolster their defensive depth while Florida gained a promising young center.[62] Other pre-draft deals reshaped pick ownership across rounds, with teams like the Carolina Hurricanes acquiring the Los Angeles Kings' first-round pick (No. 21) and defenseman Roland McKeown in exchange for defenseman Andrej Sekera on February 25, 2015, though the pick's value carried into the 2016 draft context.[39]During the draft itself, activity was brisk, with teams executing multiple swaps to optimize their positions, particularly in the first round where four to seven trades were reported depending on the scope of pick exchanges. For example, the Philadelphia Flyers traded their first-round pick (No. 22, used to select German Rubtsov) and second-round pick (No. 36, Pascal Laberge) to the Winnipeg Jets for the Jets' first-round pick (No. 18, Logan Stanley).[38] Additional in-draft moves included the Ottawa Senators acquiring the New Jersey Devils' first-round pick (No. 12) and third-round pick (No. 80) to move up for forward Logan Brown, while the Arizona Coyotes obtained the Detroit Red Wings' first-round pick (No. 20, Jakob Chychrun) and third-round pick (No. 53) in a swap involving future considerations.[63] The Washington Capitals also secured the St. Louis Blues' first-round pick (No. 26, Beck Malenstyn) to round out their selections. These transactions, totaling over 20 across all rounds when including minor pick swaps, highlighted the draft's fluidity and teams' strategic repositioning.[64]Following the draft, draftees began signing entry-level contracts (ELCs), with timelines varying based on league of origin and eligibility rules. Top pick Auston Matthews signed a three-year ELC with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 21, 2016, carrying a cap hit of $925,000 plus up to $2.85 million in performance bonuses, the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement.[65] Players from European leagues or the NCAA, such as those from the USHL or Swiss league, could sign immediately and join professional rosters, while CHL juniors faced restrictions under the NHL-CHL agreement, prohibiting professional play until after their junior season ends, though ELCs could be executed earlier—examples include Carolina Hurricanes prospects Jake Bean and Julien Gauthier signing three-year deals on July 9, 2016.[66]Not all draftees signed promptly, and under NHL rules, North American skaters must execute an ELC within two years of selection or their rights expire, becoming unrestricted free agents; European players' rights are retained until age 25. By mid-2018, several 2016 draftees had not signed and entered free agency, including cases like German Rubtsov (Philadelphia Flyers, No. 22), who cited personal reasons for delaying his move, though teams retained rights for others like overseas prospects.[67]These trades and signings significantly influenced team outlooks, enabling asset accumulation for rebuilding franchises; for instance, the Edmonton Oilers entered the draft with nine picks, including the No. 4 overall (Jesse Puljujärvi), bolstering their prospect pipeline amid ongoing efforts to contend in the Pacific Division.[7]