The1983 NHL entry draft was the 21stNHL entry draft. It was held at theMontreal Forum inMontreal,Quebec, on June 8, 1983. The NHL entry draft is the primary means by which players arrive in the National Hockey League. TheSt. Louis Blues did not participate in this draft, shortly after the league blocked the franchise's relocation toSaskatoon,Saskatchewan. This was the only time in National Hockey League history that a franchise did not participate in an entry draft. This was also the last time a playoff team picked first overall until2020, when the New York Rangers won the first selection.
TheCalgary Flames' first-round pick went to theBuffalo Sabres as the result of a trade on June 8, 1982 that sentRichie Dunn,Don Edwards and Buffalo's second-round pick in1982 NHL Entry Draft to Calgary in exchange for Calgary's first-round and second-round picks in1982 NHL Entry Draft, second-round picks in 1983 NHL Entry Draft along with Buffalo's option to swap first-round picks in 1983 NHL Entry Draft (this pick).
TheBuffalo Sabres' first-round pick went to theCalgary Flames as the result of a trade on June 8, 1982 that sent Calgary's first-round and second-round picks in1982 NHL Entry Draft, second-round picks in 1983 NHL Entry Draft along with Buffalo's option to swap first-round picks in 1983 NHL Entry Draft to Buffalo in exchange forRichie Dunn,Don Edwards and Buffalo's second-round pick in1982 NHL Entry Draft. Buffalo took option to swap which became this pick for Calgary.
ThePhiladelphia Flyers' first-round pick went to theHartford Whalers as the result of a trade on August 19, 1982 that sentMark Howe and Hartford's third-round in 1983 NHL Entry Draft to Philadelphia in exchange forGreg Adams,Ken Linseman, Philadelphia's third-round in 1983 NHL Entry Draft and this pick.
TheCalgary Flames' second-round pick went to theBuffalo Sabres as the result of a trade on June 8, 1982 that sentRichie Dunn,Don Edwards and Buffalo's second-round pick in1982 NHL Entry Draft to Calgary in exchange for Calgary's first-round and second-round picks in1982 NHL Entry Draft, Buffalo's option to swap first-round picks in 1983 NHL Entry Draft along with this pick.
TheCalgary Flames' second-round pick went to theMontreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on September 10, 1982 that sent theDoug Risebrough and Montreal's second-round pick in 1983 NHL Entry Draft to Calgary in exchange for Calgary's third-round pick in1984 NHL Entry Draft and this pick.
Calgary previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on November 25, 1981 that sentBobby Gould andRandy Holt to Washington in exchange forPat Ribble and this pick.
Calgary previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on September 10, 1982 that sent Calgary's second-round pick in 1983 NHL Entry Draft and third-round pick in1984 NHL Entry Draft to Montreal in exchange forDoug Risebrough and this pick.
TheMontreal Canadiens' third-round pick went to theWinnipeg Jets with $50,000 cash as compensation to allow Montreal to hireSerge Savard as the new general manager on April 28, 1983.
Montreal previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on September 26, 1980 that sentGilles Lupien to Pittsburgh in exchange for Montreal's option to swap third-round picks.
TheNew Jersey Devils' third-round pick went to theMontreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on March 10, 1981 that sentBill Baker to Colorado in exchange for Montreal's option to swap fourth-round picks in1984 NHL Entry Draft and this pick. Colorado relocated to New Jersey on May 27, 1982.
TheWinnipeg Jets' third-round pick went to theNew York Rangers as the result of a trade on September 8, 1981 that sentDoug Soetaert to Winnipeg in exchange for this pick.
TheMontreal Canadiens' third-round pick went to thePittsburgh Penguins as the result of a trade on September 26, 1980 that had Montreal's option to swap third-round picks with Pittsburgh in exchange forGilles Lupien.
ThePhiladelphia Flyers' third-round pick went to theHartford Whalers as the result of a trade on August 19, 1982 that sentMark Howe and Hartford's third-round in 1983 NHL Entry Draft to Philadelphia in exchange forGreg Adams,Ken Linseman, Philadelphia's first-round in 1983 NHL Entry Draft and this pick.
TheNew Jersey Devils' fourth-round pick went to theNew York Islanders as the result of a trade on October 1, 1982 that sent the Islanders fourth-round pick in 1983 NHL Entry Draft to New Jersey in exchange forHector Marini and this pick.
New Jersey acquired this pick as the result of a trade on October 1, 1982 sentHector Marini and New Jersey's fourth-round pick in 1983 NHL Entry Draft to the Islanders in exchange for this pick.