The annual NHL entry draft is a yearly opportunity for organizations to stock pile young talent that they hope will make their collective rosters one day. Teenagers from all over North American and Europe are evaluated, tested, graded, critiqued and summarized at the scouting combine. These neophytes are then slotted as to which round they are likely to be selected in.
Currently, the NHL draft is seven rounds long. Since there are now 31 teams in the National Hockey League, that means there are 217 potential draft picks. Out of those 217 young men fortunate enough to have been drafted, less than half will actually play in the NHL.