The 2016 NHL entry draft was the 54th draft for the National Hockey League. It was held on June 24–25, 2016, at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The first three selections were Auston Matthews by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Patrik Laine by the Winnipeg Jets, and Pierre-Luc Dubois by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

As of 2026, there are 51 active NHL players from this draft.

Ice hockey players born between January 1, 1996, and September 15, 1998, were eligible for selection in the 2016 NHL entry draft. Additionally, un-drafted, non-North American players born in 1995 were eligible for the draft; and those players who were drafted in the 2014 NHL entry draft, but not signed by an NHL team and who were born after June 30, 1996, were also eligible to re-enter the draft.

Since the 2012–13 NHL season all fourteen teams not qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs have a "weighted" chance at winning the first overall selection. Beginning with the 2014–15 NHL season the NHL changed the weighting system that was used in previous years. Under the new system the odds of winning the draft lottery for the four lowest finishing teams in the league decreased, while the odds for the other non-playoff teams increased. Starting with this draft the first three picks overall will be awarded by lottery. The odds of winning the second and third draws increased on a proportional basis depending on which team won the previous draw. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets and Columbus Blue Jackets won the draft lotteries that took place on April 30, 2016, giving them the first, second and third picks overall. Toronto retained the top pick, while Winnipeg and Columbus moved up from the sixth and fourth spots, respectively. In the process, the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks were each knocked down two places from second and third to fourth and fifth overall, respectively, while the Calgary Flames dropped from fifth to sixth overall.

The order of the 2016 entry draft is listed below.

Minimum three selections