NHL draft game with friends

Player pools and ratings

Every pool lists who you can draft and how each player is rated, position by position.

• This seasonEvery player on an NHL roster now, rated on the last two seasons.
• All-time legendsEvery rated player since 1917-18, rated on his best seasons.
• 2020sAnyone who played a season starting from 2020 to 2029.
• 2010sAnyone who played a season starting from 2010 to 2019.
• 2000sAnyone who played a season starting from 2000 to 2009.
• 1990sAnyone who played a season starting from 1990 to 1999.
• 1980sAnyone who played a season starting from 1980 to 1989.
• 1970sAnyone who played a season starting from 1970 to 1979.
• 1960sAnyone who played a season starting from 1960 to 1969.
• 1950sAnyone who played a season starting from 1950 to 1959.
• 1940sAnyone who played a season starting from 1940 to 1949.

Franchise pools

• Avalanche
• Blackhawks
• Blue Jackets
• Blues
• Bruins
• Canadiens
• Canucks
• Capitals
• Devils
• Ducks
• Flames
• Flyers
• Golden Knights
• Hurricanes
• Islanders
• Jets
• Kings
• Lightning
• Maple Leafs
• Oilers
• Panthers
• Penguins
• Predators
• Rangers
• Red Wings
• Sabres
• Senators
• Sharks
• Stars
• Wild

The highest rated, all time

• Wayne GretzkyBest center · 894 G, 1,963 A, 2,857 PTS in 1,487 games99
• Alex OvechkinBest left wing · 929 G, 758 A, 1,687 PTS in 1,573 games99
• Jaromir JagrBest right wing · 766 G, 1,155 A, 1,921 PTS in 1,733 games99
• Bobby OrrBest defenseman · 270 G, 645 A, 915 PTS in 657 games99
• Tony EspositoBest goalie · 423 W, 2.93 GAA, 76 SO in 886 games99

Questions

Who can I draft in the NHL draft game?

Every rated NHL player since 1917-18, from the league's own stats. Pools narrow it to this season, a decade from the 1940s on, or one franchise in every city it has played.

What lineup do I draft?

Two forward lines of a center and two wingers, two defense pairs and a goalie.

How are NHL players rated?

Skaters by points per game against the best regulars of the same season, forwards and defensemen apart; goalies by goals-against average against the league. A career is the average of his five best seasons with credit for longevity.

Is this an all-time NHL draft simulator?

Yes. Pick All-time legends to draft from every era since 1917, then simulate an 82-game season and best-of-seven playoffs.

How does the draft game work?

Create a league, pick a player pool and invite friends with a five-letter code or a link. Everyone takes turns in a snake draft until every lineup slot is filled, then the season is simulated: a full schedule, standings, playoffs, a champion and an MVP.

Can I play the draft game with friends?

Yes. Up to eight teams can join one league from a code or a share link. Every pick shows up on every screen as it is made. Empty seats can be filled with computer teams, so it also works solo.

Do I need an account?

No. The game is free and needs no sign in. Your browser keeps a random id so it remembers your seat and your leagues; nothing else is stored about you.

What happens if someone does not pick in time?

With a pick clock on, the best available player for that team's most needed slot is taken when the clock runs out. Miss two picks in a row and your team drafts on autopilot until you tap to take it back.

How is the season decided?

Each team's strength is its players' ratings weighted by how much each lineup slot matters. Every game samples both scores around the gap in strength, so the better roster wins more often but upsets happen. The whole season comes from the league code, so everyone sees the same results.

Where do the ratings come from?

From real stats in public data, normalized by position and era. Each sport's how it works page lists the exact sources, licenses and formula.

How long does a league page last?

Thirty days. The results page at its code stays up for a month so everyone in the league can come back to it.

How the NHL ratings and season sim work