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For expansion teams, the Entry Draft is critical as they attempt to put together a core of young, talented players. Some of the more recent expansion teams have done extremely well with their first selections (Anaheim, Paul Kariya; Ottawa, Alexei Yashin), while the jury is still out on other picks. In 2000, the Minnesota Wild chose Marian Gaborik (right) with their first-ever selection.
| First Players Chosen by Expansion Teams | |||
| Year | Team | Draftee | Pick |
| 2000 | Minnesota | Marian Gaborik | 3rd |
| Columbus | Rostislav Klesla | 4th | |
| 1999 | Atlanta | Patrik Stefan | 1st |
| 1998 | Nashville | David Legwand | 2nd |
| 1993 | Anaheim | Paul Kariya | 4th |
| Florida | Rob Niedermayer | 5th | |
| 1992 | Tampa Bay | Roman Hamrlik | 1st |
| Ottawa | Alexei Yashin | 2nd | |
| 1991 | San Jose | Pat Falloon | 2nd |
| 1979 | Hartford | Ray Allison | 18th |
| Winnipeg | Jimmy Mann | 19th | |
| Quebec | Michel Goulet | 20th | |
| Edmonton | Kevin Lowe | 21st | |
| 1974 | Washington | Greg Joly | 1st |
| Kansas City | Wilf Paiement | 2nd | |
| 1972 | NY Islanders | Bill Harris | 1st |
| Atlanta | Jacques Richard | 2nd | |
| 1970 | Buffalo | Gilbert Perreault | 1st |