The draft was held on June 22–23, 2018, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Ice hockey players that were born between January 1, 1998, and September 15, 2000, are eligible for selection in the 2018 NHL entry draft.

[3] Since the 2012–13 NHL season all teams not qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs have a "weighted" chance at winning the first overall selection.

[5] The Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens won the lotteries that took place on April 28, 2018,[6] giving them the first, second and third picks overall.

[7] In the process, the Ottawa Senators and Arizona Coyotes moved down two spots from second and third overall, respectively, while the Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders each dropped one spot.