The last active players in the NHL from this draft class were Paul Coffey and Larry Murphy, who both retired after the 2000–01 season.

* The Toronto Maple Leafs' third round pick went to the Minnesota North Stars as the result of a trade on October 5, 1978, that sent Walt McKechnie to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for this pick.

* The Minnesota North Stars' third round pick went to the Chicago Black Hawks as the result of a trade on May 4, 1978, that sent the rights to Eddie Mio and future considerations (Pierre Plante) to the Minnesota North Stars in exchange for Doug Hicks and this pick.

* The Detroit Red Wings' fourth round pick went to the Chicago Black Hawks as the result of a trade on December 2, 1977, that sent Dennis Hull to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for this pick.

* The Washington Capitals' fourth round pick went to the New York Islanders as the result of a trade on December 7, 1979, that sent Mike Kaszycki to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Gord Lane and this pick.

* The Pittsburgh Penguins' seventh round pick went to the Winnipeg Jets as the result of a trade on June 9, 1979, that Winnipeg Jets promised not to claim Kim Clackson as a priority selection in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft in exchange for this pick.