Due to the strength of the class and fewer selections, there are many undrafted players who were eligible to be drafted who went on to have notable NHL careers, including Hall of Famer Dino Ciccarelli, five-time Stanley Cup champion Charlie Huddy and four-time 50-goal scorer Tim Kerr.

As consolation for lowering the minimum age for the draft, the NHL provided junior teams with CA$40,000 (equivalent to $157,000 in 2023) in compensation for each under-age player selected and signed.

Rising superstar Wayne Gretzky had played for the Edmonton Oilers in the WHA's final season.

As per the terms of the NHL-WHA merger, Gretzky was to have become eligible for the 1979 draft due to having already played professionally in the WHA.

But Gretzky, faced with the likelihood of having to play for the struggling Colorado Rockies if he were to enter the draft, refused to void his contract with Pocklington.