DRAFT in Vegas Tickets Not Free

[Chainshot]

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I understand why it might feel as exciting as attending your cousin's high school graduation, but it's fun to be in the same room. If you're sitting in the lower bowl, you can see which GMs are talking and let your imagination run wild if they're talking trade or summer vacation plans.

2011 was probably my favorite year of attending since we snuck into the players section. It's one thing to witness a guy drop on TV and it's a different feeling looking on the other side of the aisle and seeing Brandon Saad sweating out the last few picks of the first round. Before that draft began, my other buddy was criticizing Mika Zibanejad while not realizing Zibanejad was sitting right in front of him.

It's also a good spot for photos/autographs. I finally worked up the nerve to ask Martin Brodeur to sign my jersey as the 2019 Draft was wrapping up; Depending on his mood, he has a nice signature or some chicken scratch, I got something in between. I've had quick conversations with Bob McKenzie, Elliotte Friedman, Steve Thomas, and other draftees. The Devils owner tapped me on the shoulder before the 2017 Draft and asked me for a photo.

Stanley Cup is usually on display as well and that's a photo opp that doesn't get old. Definitely a shorter line on Day 2.



It's definitely not for the average fan. It shouldn't surprise me, but I've sat by other people who had zero clue who any of the prospects were. They were simply there to "WOOOO YEAH" when their team made a selection. But for folks posting trade offers on a hockey message board, attending the draft might be closest they ever get to be being in the room.



For most folks, the draft will look mostly the same next year or at least will resemble the NFL's. There won't be the 32 tables of GMs, scouts, etc but the prospects will still be there. I think it's expected that teams would send a notable alumnus and/or current player to greet the prospect while the rest of the hockey ops makes the pick remotely.

I went in 1991 and we razzed the Leafs in the third round with a "wake up Floyd, you're next". In 2003, we bumped into a bunch of players and spent time sitting with the Hunter Brothers talking about players and it was great - I've spoken with Dale at a few events since. Also chatted with a player who was attending who talked about a team that wanted to acquire him but didn't that day... but did later that year (Mike Grier to Buffalo). '98 was fun but it was the first day back in town after my honeymoon, and I don't remember a lot of it other than the then Tampa owner being silly with the Lecavalier announcement.

 

[Chainshot]

Did Gary Bettman scrap the in person live draft just so he can be the one to announce every pick?

The league is scraping it because it's expensive for every team to bring their whole front office crew to a different city. And they are getting to be tight with time now that the playoffs run so late - also part of moving the awards to in-playoff announcements.

 

[Brodeur]

Did Gary Bettman scrap the in person live draft just so he can be the one to announce every pick?

No, teams had a taste of staying home for 2020+2021 and realized they could conduct business mostly as usual without needing to fly out 20+ people and getting them hotel rooms for several days. I was naive and assumed that each team would have a private jet or something, but I ended up on the same commercial flight as Pittsburgh after the 2015 Draft. In 2019, I thought I made pretty good time to the airport right after the draft ended and I was in security with Colorado's crew. Meanwhile, the Kings/Coyotes staffs were already at adjacent gates. I would have thought they would spring for an extra night of hotel but they were ready to get home.

As I understand it, the teams asked to stay home. I thought one of the reporters said that the expectation would be that teams would still send somebody to announce the pick and greet the prospect. Instead of Rob Blake and a small legion of scouts being on stage to make the pick, it might end up being Luc Robitaille instead.

 

[Voight]

The sphere cost 2 billion lol there are never having a free event here.

 

[peconcan]

My dad is a huge hockey fan and was at the Lindros draft in 91 (got passes from the beer rep at work) and said it was one of the most boring things hes been to for sport. To answer the OP question tho he is pretty sure back then it was free or very cheap even without the passes he got

 

[Chuck Downie]

I was at the 2008 draft in Ottawa and the 2009 draft in Montreal (both days) and they were free

 

[Bondurant]

You're not getting into The Sphere for free. Vegas isn't cheap anymore. Bring the mafia back to Vegas.

 

[NYRfan85]

Not a chance in hell they'd make it free at the Sphere!

I went to the Sphere in November to see their IMAX-style movie, and it was absolutely incredible experience. It's an AMAZING and massive venue, the technology is incredible. Somebody's gotta pay for all of that cool tech. I can't wait to see how they utilize it for the draft--I really like how the NHL went out of the box for this one!

 

[Rpenny]

It's been a while since I've attended a draft, but when I did, there was never any admission cost. This year in Vegas, they're charging approximately $75-$150 to attend day 1. Is that normal, or is it just because of the venue it's in this year?

Has not been free for awhile. Usually the money went to charity. But not in vegas

 

[Golden_Jet]

Never paid in Montreal or the Ottawa draft.

 

[Satans Hockey]

I remember it was about like $50 for NJ but that was an all day draft

I know they gave season ticket holders free tickets because I never would have gone if I had to pay. I left after the Devils 2nd round selection since that was the first player they actually picked. Thought it was incredibly boring and I'd never go out of my way or pay to go to another one.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Going to the draft seems like the biggest waste of time ever, what are you to see there ? SJ pick Celebrini?

To me it seems way more boring than ASG

I can't help but think of this whenever i hear about people watching the draft or going to it

 

[kingsholygrail]

It's been a while since I've attended a draft, but when I did, there was never any admission cost. This year in Vegas, they're charging approximately $75-$150 to attend day 1. Is that normal, or is it just because of the venue it's in this year?

When, exactly, was the last time you went to a draft? lol

 

[Avs2022]

There is a band called "Death in Vegas'. Everytime I see this thread. I think it's the band, not the draft.

 

[Brodeur]

I can't help but think of this whenever i hear about people watching the draft or going to it

Bill Burr is fantastic. I used to love the NFL Draft but it has jumped the shark for me even as they can attract thousands of people to the event and millions more on TV. People being to live stream (specious) reactions and a crappy Kevin Costner movie are some of the cause/effect.

That said, as somebody who's been to a few NHL drafts I wouldn't recommend just sitting through every pick. NHL Draft is/was unique since everybody is there, so it is like a hockey nerd convention. I wouldn't have my Brodeur/Guerin jerseys autographed without going. My buddies met Sidney Crosby at the 2010 Draft and he was kind enough to take a photo with them. I'm sure that was their treasured memory rather than telling people that was the draft where Pittsburgh took Beau Bennett.

Aside from 2010 when I could drive to LA, I've made it part of a vacation. Lots of stuff to do in Vegas next month when I won't be at The Sphere.

 

[Sol]

Was free back in Sunrise in 2015 when I last went. McDavid and Eichel drafted, plus the entertainment of watching Sweeney and the Bruins draft 3 in a row, lol.

Oh no… a Scotty kilmer fan. NOOOO.

 

[BelovedIsles]

They should pay fans to attend.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

What does going to watch a draft at the sphere offer that a little acid at home can't also achieve?

 

[JianYang]

It never appealed to me to go attend a draft, but I think there's enough demand out there to make money. I don't see how it would be free.

 

[FissionFire]

The NFL draft is free to attend, and they draw massive crowds.

When the NHL gets TV money like the NFL does I’m sure they will be happy to do free drafts as well.

NFL could play every single game in front of empty stadiums and still make tens of millions profit per team.

 

[Golden_Jet]

The NFL draft is free to attend, and they draw massive crowds.

Except the NFL has a terrible format, and now next year NHL will go to that crappy format.
Keep it like it is NHL, with the 32 teams and there tables

 

[Chainshot]

My dad is a huge hockey fan and was at the Lindros draft in 91 (got passes from the beer rep at work) and said it was one of the most boring things hes been to for sport. To answer the OP question tho he is pretty sure back then it was free or very cheap even without the passes he got

'91 was free.

 

[stanley25]

It was surprisingly free in Montreal in 09.

 

[Sniper99]

i'd rather goto an NFL draft and just interact with other teams fans. Day 1 of course not Day 2. Dont need to hear different teams allumni coming up to announce picks shit talking their rivals fans. Just get to the pick.

NFL and nba do it right though. Quick and easy, announce player, player comes up shakes Comish hand and then moves on to meet team and media etc. NHL completely wrong, you dont need to drag up the whole staff including the head office secretary and the GM's kid. Just Bettman and draft pick.

 

[TheBeard]

If I wasn't a Sharks fan and living in Vegas, I wouldn't be going.