1981 NHL entry draft

Selections by round

The 1981 NHL entry draft saw several picks change hands through trades made over the preceding years. The Detroit Red Wings’ first-round selection was acquired by the Los Angeles Kings. This happened because of an August 22, 1979 trade in which Detroit received the rights to Dale McCourt. In return, Los Angeles got Andre St. Laurent, a first-round pick in 1980, and the option of either a second-round pick in 1980 or a first-round pick in 1981. The Kings chose the 1981 first-rounder. The Colorado Rockies’ first-round pick went to the Washington Capitals as part of a June 10, 1981 deal. Washington sent the fifth and 26th overall picks to Colorado for the 45th overall pick and this first-round selection. On the same day, the Capitals’ own first-round pick moved to the Rockies. Colorado gave up the third overall pick and the 45th overall pick to get the 26th overall pick and this first-rounder. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ first-round pick ended up with the Montreal Canadiens through an October 18, 1978 trade that sent Rod Schutt to Pittsburgh. The Los Angeles Kings’ first-round pick also went to Montreal, via an October 5, 1978 trade that sent Murray Wilson and a 1979 first-round pick to Los Angeles.

In the second round, the Colorado Rockies’ pick was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 19, 1978, with Jack Valiquette going to Colorado. The Hartford Whalers’ second-round pick went to the Chicago Black Hawks on June 19, 1980, in exchange for Mike Veisor. The Washington Capitals’ second-round pick was acquired by the Colorado Rockies as part of the June 10, 1981 trade that also involved the first-round picks. Colorado sent the third overall pick and the 45th overall pick to Washington for the fifth overall pick and this second-round selection. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ second-round pick went to the Minnesota North Stars on March 10, 1981, with Ron Zanussi and the 55th overall pick heading to Toronto. Finally, the Vancouver Canucks’ second-round pick was traded to the Minnesota North Stars on December 10, 1979, in exchange for Olov Brasar. All club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.