The National Hockey League (NHL) teams selected 252 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1981–82 NHL season and playoff standings.

The last active player in the NHL from this draft class was Dave Andreychuk, who retired after the 2005–06 season.

Below are listed the selections in the 1982 NHL entry draft.

Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.

Victor Nechaev, the first Soviet trained player to play professionally in the NHL was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the seventh round of the 1982 draft.