NHL Decentralizing the Draft?

[HuGort]

The NHL is reportedly considering decentralizing the NHL draft, which would allow teams to stay home and not attend the draft in person. Going like NFL does their draft.

The proposed new model for the draft would involve using a 5,000- to 10,000-seat venue and having one or two representatives from each club on hand. Prospects would be greeted by commissioner Gary Bettman and a team representative on the draft stage for a brief photo opportunity after being selected.

I hate to see them change the draft! I think the NHL draft is just fine.

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[Treb]

They say one issue with the current setup is that teams basically know what all other teams are doing because they can all be within ear shot. So if a team is trying to make a trade, many unrelated team will hear it and counteract.

 

[Deebs]

I'd give it shot for a few years and see how it goes. You can always change it back or create something new afterwards if the results aren't what they're looking for.

 

[Chili]

Was cool the drafts I attended having anyone who's anyone in hockey in one place. Management, coaches, scouts, both current and ex players, the draftees and their families.

It's like graduation day for the kids. It's their day, I would be interested to hear the thoughts of players on any changes.

 

[BLONG7]

Spread out the tables, so the listening in to other tables is very limited.

I like the way the do it currently....look for Gary to do things, the American way!! LOL

 

[Adriatic]

They say one issue with the current setup is that teams basically know what all other teams are doing because they can all be within ear shot. So if a team is trying to make a trade, many unrelated team will hear it and counteract.

But that's all the fun stuff lol

 

[Treb]

But that's all the fun stuff lol

For us, not them.

This move is not proposed for the fans.

 

[calder candidate]

The NHL is probably the best draft format having everyone in one place having the team welcoming the player on stage is better than all the other format… The issue with the NHL like MLB is that there are less players that have impact and usually take a few years unlike NFL and NBA were guy have impact very quickly and almost every round you can get a player that will make your team. If you want to save some cash Maybe you can have less people from each team or pick a city with easier logistics… but there was a decentralized draft during COVID and it wasn’t as good…

 

[Zam Boni]

They say one issue with the current setup is that teams basically know what all other teams are doing because they can all be within ear shot. So if a team is trying to make a trade, many unrelated team will hear it and counteract.

Could just put up one of those silent booth for those discussions and calls.
And then Bettman will limit the amount of times each GM can enter the booth and teams starts trading for booth allocations.
- Hey Phoenix, I'll trade you 15 minutes of booth allocation if you take Gallagher's contract?!

 

[HuGort]

They say one issue with the current setup is that teams basically know what all other teams are doing because they can all be within ear shot. So if a team is trying to make a trade, many unrelated team will hear it and counteract.

That way maybe it is. Bu int NHL draft setup is best draft setup in pro sports. Televised I mean.

 

[Treb]

That way maybe it is. Bu int NHL draft setup is best draft setup in pro sports. Televised I mean.

Other pro sports are disagreeing and trying to change it.

For the record I disagree with it.

In fact, the best NHL draft in the last 10 years IMO was 2013 where they did the whole draft in a day. They should always do it that way. You concentrate the action and minimize the weight on the draftees. The only losers are the one whose paycheck depends on eternalizing the first round for a whole evening.

 

[OldCraig71]

It would save Uncle Gary from the embarrassment of being booed every time he goes to the microphone.

 

[StCaufield]

Really who cares though

 

[ngc_5128]

They say one issue with the current setup is that teams basically know what all other teams are doing because they can all be within ear shot. So if a team is trying to make a trade, many unrelated team will hear it and counteract.

I think a bigger issue is management having too short a turn around time for switching from amateur draft mode to UFA mode. Also, I am sure billionaire owners are sick of overpaying for hotels for the entire scouting staff they just flew in.

 

[HuGort]

Other pro sports are disagreeing and trying to change it.

For the record I disagree with it.

In fact, the best NHL draft in the last 10 years IMO was 2013 where they did the whole draft in a day. They should always do it that way. You concentrate the action and minimize the weight on the draftees. The only losers are the one whose paycheck depends on eternalizing the first round for a whole evening.

In one day or two doesn't matter much to me. I usually only watch first day.

 

[Whalers Fan]

They say one issue with the current setup is that teams basically know what all other teams are doing because they can all be within ear shot. So if a team is trying to make a trade, many unrelated team will hear it and counteract.

They need this:

 

[HuGort]

They need this:

Dennis Bernstein on 690 today said one of reasons they may change is financial. Said costs a lot of money to bring front office there. I can't see it. But he would know.

 

[calder candidate]

Dennis Bernstein on 690 today said one of reasons they may change is financial. Said costs a lot of money to bring front office there. I can't see it. But he would know.

Most of the staff doesn’t live in there home city anyway it can’t be a significant financial gain to decentralize. I could see logistics being the biggest improvement it probably and issue finding hotel room and flight for all these players and families and staff of all teams. I could also see that team why team able to heard of see what other are doing it might spoil some action. I think that if you are making it a 2 day event they should at least do 2 rounds on the first day…

 

[Doc McKenna]

Could just put up one of those silent booth for those discussions and calls.
And then Bettman will limit the amount of times each GM can enter the booth and teams starts trading for booth allocations.
- Hey Phoenix, I'll trade you 15 minutes of booth allocation if you take Gallagher's contract?!

Sorry for that you will need to throw in a 2th in 2025 and a 3th in 2026

 

[HuGort]

Most of the staff doesn’t live in there home city anyway it can’t be a significant financial gain to decentralize. I could see logistics being the biggest improvement it probably and issue finding hotel room and flight for all these players and families and staff of all teams. I could also see that team why team able to heard of see what other are doing it might spoil some action. I think that if you are making it a 2 day event they should at least do 2 rounds on the first day…

Teams vote on it Tuesday. Know outcome then, I'm hoping it doesn't come about

 

[MrNasty]

They say one issue with the current setup is that teams basically know what all other teams are doing because they can all be within ear shot. So if a team is trying to make a trade, many unrelated team will hear it and counteract.

Too bad, if they want ratings/viewership and to build the game then they need more, not less trade chatter

For us, not them.

This move is not proposed for the fans.

therin lies the problem

Dennis Bernstein on 690 today said one of reasons they may change is financial. Said costs a lot of money to bring front office there. I can't see it. But he would know.

BS, the teams have fixed revenue. Both players and owners 'lose' money on travel costs but I would argue it generates more excitement overall, hence more potential revenue for the league.

The draft is one of my favourite times of year. I even travel to it as a 'vacation'.
I know I am not normal and there are not a lot of people like me, but I have always been fascinated with the management side of running an NHL team just as much as watching the team play and win. A big part of that is watching the draft and all the 'behind' the scenes stuff you notive at an actual live draft venue. I will be very disappointed.

 

[Vachon23]

That way maybe it is. Bu int NHL draft setup is best draft setup in pro sports. Televised I mean.

NFL draft is really fun though

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Too bad, if they want ratings/viewership and to build the game then they need more, not less trade chatter



therin lies the problem


BS, the teams have fixed revenue. Both players and owners 'lose' money on travel costs but I would argue it generates more excitement overall, hence more potential revenue for the league.

The draft is one of my favourite times of year. I even travel to it as a 'vacation'.
I know I am not normal and there are not a lot of people like me, but I have always been fascinated with the management side of running an NHL team just as much as watching the team play and win. A big part of that is watching the draft and all the 'behind' the scenes stuff you notive at an actual live draft venue. I will be very disappointed.

I have never travelled for a draft but I have been to 5 of them. Toronto Convention Centre (1985), Maple Leaf Gardens, Air Canada Centre, Buffalo Auditorium and the new Buffalo arena.
If it helps HuGo to make more moves then I am for it.

 

[Ryan O'Byrne]

I find nba draft boring compared to nhl

 

[Habs]

There will be less boos when Montreal drafts the wrong player, I like it.