NHL Picks Los Angeles to Host 2025 DRAFT Plans New Format

[Nasti]

Was reminded of one amusing draft anecdote. In 2009, the Kings were picking #5 and had an adjacent table to the Coyotes who were picking #6. The Kings people knew how badly the Coyotes wanted Oliver Ekman-Larsson (all of their recent top picks had been forwards). So while Atlanta was on stage with Evander Kane (#4), the Kings staff accidentally on purpose showed the OEL Kings jersey they had in reserve in full view of Coyotes table just to mess with them.

Apparently the Coyotes staff looked momentarily pissed before the Kings staff was like "Just kidding, we're taking Brayden Schenn."

It was a double troll as Brian Burke did everything he could to sell Tomas Kaberle to Lombardi so he could take Schenn. Burke’s expression after the Kings picked him said it all.

 

[kingsfan28]

Acting like this isn't about cutting costs is pathetic.

It's a pretty expensive weekend. Over 100k from what I've read, even more if you take the entire scouting staffs. LA had 20 guys at their table, plus their assistants. Other teams bring that many too.

 

[Rorschach]

Was reminded of one amusing draft anecdote. In 2009, the Kings were picking #5 and had an adjacent table to the Coyotes who were picking #6. The Kings people knew how badly the Coyotes wanted Oliver Ekman-Larsson (all of their recent top picks had been forwards). So while Atlanta was on stage with Evander Kane (#4), the Kings staff accidentally on purpose showed the OEL Kings jersey they had in reserve in full view of Coyotes table just to mess with them.

Apparently the Coyotes staff looked momentarily pissed before the Kings staff was like "Just kidding, we're taking Brayden Schenn."

Also in that same draft, the kind of trolled Burke and Toronto by drafting Schenn knowing full well they wanted him. Burke had to settle for Nazem Kadri.

 

[Brodeur]

It was a double troll as Brian Burke did everything he could to sell Tomas Kaberle to Lombardi so he could take Schenn. Burke’s expression after the Kings picked him said it all.

Also in that same draft, the kind of trolled Burke and Toronto by drafting Schenn knowing full well they wanted him. Burke had to settle for Nazem Kadri.

Burke pestered Atlanta too and acted shocked that nobody was willing to give up a top 5 pick for Kaberle. I suppose Burke felt emboldened after being able to trade up for Chris Pronger in 1993 and getting both Sedins in 1999. Although in both cases he was the beneficiary from another team willing to trade down because they were targeting somebody different.

Another random Burke draft memory was from Day 2 at the 2010 Draft in LA. I could hear him walk from table to table asking if anybody wanted his 4th round pick. Eventually he found a taker with Washington who would use the pick on Phillip Grubauer.

Probably a 'you had to be there' thing, but there was something amusing about it. Like it was something I'd expect from my fantasy league rather than a professional one.

 

[Barrie22]

“"Families are going to be there, prospects are going to be there, we're all going to be there," Bettman said at the 2023 NHL board of governors meeting in Seattle”

Hmm, but actually that isnt true at all.

It will be like the nfl draft, team representatives, players, families, nhl executives will all be in the facility while the GM's and all the others involved in the draft will be back in there respective offices.

 

[Rorschach]

WELCOME TO LA MAXIM

 

[Fishy McScales]

It's a pretty expensive weekend. Over 100k from what I've read, even more if you take the entire scouting staffs. LA had 20 guys at their table, plus their assistants. Other teams bring that many too.

Pfft, Dallas burns that on an optional practice.

 

[LGD]

Acting like this isn't about cutting costs is pathetic.

They literally state in the article that it is about cutting costs.

 

[Lunatik]

I would imagine the players and Bettman are still going to be there. The NHL was the only league that had a centrally located draft. It will be presented similarly to the others. They will get some dignitaries to announce picks like they had in Vegas.

Close to MLB style would work IMO... league officials, top prospects, their families and a rep or 2 from every team.

For example on Night 1:

Bettman starts the draft, announces trades on night one (Daly on day 2)... The team announces the pick via video call, a team rep presents selected player his jersey.

And of course Day 2 would be streamlined even more.

 

[ThirdPeriodTurtle]

As long as the prospects get to stand on a stage wearing the jersey, I don’t think most people will care too much.

They’ll have cameras in all the war rooms anyway for when a team is deliberating before a pick.



The tradition of Bettman getting booed might put a wrench in the proceedings a bit.

Why not have a professional MC who is also a hockey fan?

This. Make it like the Oscars (if you want to grow hockey more).

I also really hope the teams take full advantage of staying home and organize proper draft parties in their respective cities. Or actually I hope the league incentivizes the teams to do this, actually make the draft decentralized with each team having a home base and gather fans there. I think this is an opportunity to make the draft bigger, not smaller.

Similarly I hope that teams are able to have a clearer focus on their on-stage people at the draft venue, i.e. all the decision people stay home to make the picks and trades, but the ex-players and celebrities go on stage. Shouldn't be too hard to organize now that you can separate the two functions easily.

Make it a show.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Cool, basically a four hour zoom meeting then. About time the NHL adopts some modern business practices.

 

[Heldig]

Part of me thinks that having a bunch of GMs in the same room helps to generate trade talk and stuff.

But maybe the logistical nightmare of making it all happen actually takes away from it. Might leave more to do that stuff if they don't have the big in person event.

I dunno. Guess we will see

If they filmed each team's strategy room like in the Costner movie "Draft Day" that would be awesome for fans.

 

[Heldig]

Do average fans even watch the Draft though? Maybe our definition of avaerage will differ, but taking an interest in the extra curriculars like Draft day, especially past the 1st round is probably more of a hardcore fan thing.

Perhaps I am an above average fan (followed my team thru 2 relocations but absolutely I follow and watch the draft. First day in entirety - with my draft guides and team notes on the table - and refreshing the screen throughout day 2.

 

[Brodeur]

Little snippet from Chris Peters and Cam Robinson's podcast from yesterday. Peters said he talked to an agent and mentioned they might set up a house party (like many NFL draftees) instead of sending a player. But he said that the NHL is going to work to have the 'top 30, 40, 50" guys and their families in attendance.

 

[Sparksrus3]

If the draft will be remote it make a Bettman coverup seem easier to conceal ( no I haven’t any idea how this is or can be proved ) .. my money goes on Pittsburgh being handed the top pick again as Crosby starts to fade away ..

 

[Paper]

It's a pretty expensive weekend. Over 100k from what I've read, even more if you take the entire scouting staffs. LA had 20 guys at their table, plus their assistants. Other teams bring that many too.

Bro, that's the price to rent ice on boxing day!

 

[Paper]

Now that the teams don't have to go, they should f*** with the prospects and have Winnipeg host 2026.

 

[Evergreen]

Acting like this isn't about cutting costs is pathetic.

This is: 90% about the owners not wanting to spend money to fly their staff out and put them up in a hotel.

And 10% about GMs not liking that they only have a few days between the draft and the opening of free agency, and the travel makes that window even smaller.

I don’t like it. The in-person draft was one of the few unique events the NHL had. Now it’s just like every other sport.

 

[Golden_Jet]

This is: 90% about the owners not wanting to spend money to fly their staff out and put them up in a hotel.

And 10% about GMs not liking that they only have a few days between the draft and the opening of free agency, and the travel makes that window even smaller.

I don’t like it. The in-person draft was one of the few unique events the NHL had. Now it’s just like every other sport.

Ya I much prefer the in person draft.

 

[Brodeur]

If the draft will be remote it make a Bettman coverup seem easier to conceal ( no I haven’t any idea how this is or can be proved ) .. my money goes on Pittsburgh being handed the top pick again as Crosby starts to fade away ..

Draft lottery usually happens in New York in April with a room full of observers sent by the participating teams. Not sure what that has to do with the draft location in June.

 

[Golden_Jet]

If the draft will be remote it make a Bettman coverup seem easier to conceal ( no I haven’t any idea how this is or can be proved ) .. my money goes on Pittsburgh being handed the top pick again as Crosby starts to fade away ..

We know it’s not covered up, as the process is witnessed and supervised by a major accounting firm (Ernst & Young), and a rep from teams.
The lottery and draft occur at different times in the year.

 

[Brodeur]

When they first announced the change they said top picks--so guys sure to go in the draft. The number bounced around is 10.

From the 2 drafts I attended, guys taken in the 3rd and 4th round attended with their families

I still wouldn't be shocked if some other mid-round prospects still attend especially if they have higher ranked teammates. When I attended the 2012 NBA Draft, I have a vague memory of some random 2nd round pick emerging from the crowd and walking to the stage.

 

[Brodeur]

Would be like the 1970s if Montreal gets to be the semi-permanent host.

 

[Z-Diddy]

kinda sucks because the NHL doesn't really get interesting events to showcase the players and their families

on the other hand I would say the remote variation is better for fringe draftees, I recall Don Cherry saying that it was heartbreaking to watch young men in their suits crying in the stands with their families because they were passed over, if you weren't a sure fire top 15 he commented to just stay home

 

[Number8]

It is about cutting costs for the nhl and for prospects not wasting their money or their family's money, I attended the 95 draft in Edmonton and the 1990 draft in BC Place(that was interesting) and a lot of prospects who were not drafted attended the draft and their families paid a lot of money to fly into attend.

The draft is an opportunity for the NHL to generate buzz and introduce the future stars.

If they are really cutting this because of costs, while at the same time putting money into "animated programming" then I fear for the League.

Viewership for the NHL draft hit a high in 2023 -- 600,000 odd viewers. Let alone people who travel to attend in person. Prospects, even those who don't go in first couple of rounds, spent more on travel team tournaments when they were 12 years old.