NHL picks Los Angeles to host 2025 draft, plans new format

[Brodeur]

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.

The NHL Draft is definitely a niche event, even among my hockey buddies they couldn't care less. Although it's funny since they'll also complain about the lottery results when they have no idea who any of the prospects are.

One weird thing about attending the draft is that many people will show up and not know who's who. They're just there to yell "WOOOO" when their team picks. Although I will give credit to the Vancouver fans in 2019, that was a fun draft to chit chat with the random folks.

The TV presentation won't look that much different. In person probably won't differ as much aside from weirdos like me who liked to go for autographs/photos with the hockey ops folks. But people can still chase down prospects for autographs if that's their jam.

I think some people are jumping to conclusions and thinking it's going to look like the Zoom draft in 2020.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

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

Found the guy advocating Return to the Office

 

[Albatros]

But....how else am I going to be able to see the evolution of Daryl Katz's son over the years?

We might still end up seeing more of those kids if they're among the few team representatives attending.

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

Found the guy advocating Return to the Office

I'm a social worker. Working from home is not an option :p

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

I'm a social worker. Working from home is not an option :p

respect.

 

[kerrabria]

For gods sake just let Bettman make the announcements. No more 2 full minutes of getting the whole platoon on the stage, another full minute of vacuous speeches, and then unwinding it all so the next team can do the same.

 

[Ghost of Murph]

The change makes sense. The execs make good points about wanting to be in their own facilities. Viewers will still get to see the top prospects give generic answers to generic questions. I'm cool with it. I don't get excited watching a long row of management stiffs line up on stage 32 times.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

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.

Yeah, I don't think most fans watch the draft.

 

[NyQuil]

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.

For gods sake just let Bettman make the announcements. No more 2 full minutes of getting the whole platoon on the stage, another full minute of vacuous speeches, and then unwinding it all so the next team can do the same.

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?

 

[Brodeur]

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."

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

All because Bettman got tired of being booed at the draft.

One of the highlights of every draft was Gary stepping up to the mike, amidst a chorus of boos, and announcing "we have a trade". The boos turn to cheers followed by him saying "Oh, so you like me now."

Cracks me up every time.

 

[Jumptheshark]

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

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.

 

[NyQuil]

The change makes sense. The execs make good points about wanting to be in their own facilities. Viewers will still get to see the top prospects give generic answers to generic questions. I'm cool with it. I don't get excited watching a long row of management stiffs line up on stage 32 times.

“The Xs of Y would like to congratulate Team Z for their Stanley Cup victory last June.”

“We would also like to thank the city of Q for their gracious hospitality.”

“We would also like to give a shoutout to our draft party at McKnickers Bar back in our hometown of Y.”

“While you are expecting me to announce the pick now, instead I will ask this other person to come up to the mic to delay this proceeding even longer.”

“Hello there. The Xs of Y select, from the As of B, of the league of C….”

x32

 

[Brodeur]

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.

Initial plans for the decentralized draft had top prospects assembling in a mid-sized venue, along with a few team representatives and league executives. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman would announce each first-round pick and greet the draftee onstage.

The prospects and their families are still going to attend the draft, otherwise booking a 7,000 seat theater would seem like overkill.

All the potential first round prospects will probably still be there to get their TV time. Usually by the third-fourth round, it's more likely that the prospect didn't fly in. But usually you'd hear a couple families celebrating when their kid was taken in the 7th. And yeah, it's a bummer to see a teenager in a suit walk out undrafted. I know Sean Durzi attended 2017 in Chicago and didn't get taken, then he went in the 2nd round in 2018.

 

[Jumptheshark]

The prospects and their families are still going to attend the draft, otherwise booking a 7,000 seat theater would seem like overkill.

All the potential first round prospects will probably still be there to get their TV time. Usually by the third-fourth round, it's more likely that the prospect didn't fly in. But usually you'd hear a couple families celebrating when their kid was taken in the 7th. And yeah, it's a bummer to see a teenager in a suit walk out undrafted. I know Sean Durzi attended 2017 in Chicago and didn't get taken, then he went in the 2nd round in 2018.

the prospects and their families are not suppose to attend. Only the top prospects who are assured to get drafted are suppose to attend.

 

[Brodeur]

the prospects and their families are not suppose to attend. Only the top prospects who are assured to get drafted are suppose to attend.

We might be arguing semantics with Wyshynski's ambiguous wording about "top" prospects. But I was under the impression that the potential first rounders would still show up like they have been. Otherwise a 7,000 seat theater would seem unnecessary. They usually caution the prospects who are ranked in the middle of the draft (or lower) to attend at their own peril.

 

[Oddbob]

Yeah, cause we all want Gary Bettman talking more.

 

[Jumptheshark]

We might be arguing semantics with Wyshynski's ambiguous wording about "top" prospects. But I was under the impression that the potential first rounders would still show up like they have been. Otherwise a 7,000 seat theater would seem unnecessary. They usually caution the prospects who are ranked in the middle of the draft (or lower) to attend at their own peril.

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

 

[ItWasJustified]

Can't say that I care now that they have ruined it.

 

[JPT]

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.

I've been a fan of hockey since roughly 1992, and I haven't watched a draft in I don't know how long. I might watch clips on YouTube, but I generally just read afterwards about the prospects my team picked. Drafts are more boring than NASCAR to me.

 

[DEANYOUNGBLOOD17]

I attended the 2016 draft in Buffalo .

It was a cool event and I think the agency will be missed. The Bars and hotels are with the Buffalo wings with in distance of the arena jammed packed with scouting staff.

I remember 1 scout even leaving his team draft depth chart at a Coffee shop…

The real threat ng will be missed ….

 

[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

Where did you see 10? From the six drafts I've attended, it was hit and miss by the time the third round rolled around. Usually if some ranking had you listed in the top two rounds, those kids would show up just in case they were a surprise 1st rounder a la Mark Visentin. An unexpected highish pick like Wayne Simmonds didn't attend and found out he'd been drafted while he was driving.

Most of the middle round guys would only show up with immediate family although I do recall Mathieu Corbeil-Theirault (4th rounder 2010) having a large contingent; Their loud celebration broke up the general silence as that round was going on.

Since I'd remember the Devils picks more vividly:

2010: Scott Wedgewood was not present in the 3rd round whereas Maxime Clermont was there when he was taken in the 6th.

2011: Blake Coleman and Reid Boucher were present when taken in the 3rd and 4th.

2015: Blake Speers was present when he was taken in the third (his family friend pinged me on HF to get the photos I took of him shaking Ron Francis' hand on his way to the Devils table since they were all SSM folks). Colton White (4th rounder) appeared to stay home while Brett Seney (6th rounder) was there.

2017: It looks like Fabian Zetterlund (3rd rounder) stayed home while Reilly Walsh, Nikita Popugaev, and Jocktain Chainey were present.

2019: All five of the 3rd/4th rounders were there.

2024: Mikhail Yegorov (2nd rounder) wasn't there but 3rd rounders Kapser Pikkarainen and Herman Traff were.

I'd be a little bit surprised if the NHL only invited a limited amount but I suppose that's how the NBA does it. I wouldn't be as surprised if more mid-round guys opted to stay home. Seemingly a lot of them also go to support teammates who are slated to go high. In 2017, I was sitting behind an Owen Sound group on Day 2 (Nick Suzuki plus five other draftees not including Sean Durzi who went undrafted). In 2011, I was surprised to see Mika Zibanejad sitting across the aisle from me during Day 2, but he was supporting Frederik Claesson (5th rounder); Funny moment from when Claesson was drafted, there was a lone voice going nuts from across the arena and it was Gabriel Landeskog.

Location probably is a factor as well. The 2011 Draft in Minnesota was an easy enough drive for those locals. If teams drafted a Minnesota HS kid, they were very sure to mention the name of the high school. There was a comical moment in the 7th round when Devils head scout David Conte announced they were taking "from Benilde-St. Margaret's High School" and then blanked on the name. He hastily covered the mic and asked the table "What's his name?" which ended up being audible to everybody in attendance. Patrick Daly was there to receive the Devils jersey.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I like the uniqueness of the old way, but doing something that more closely mirrors the other sports isn't some huge deal.

And if it cuts down on the "congratulations to the Cup champions..." and "thank you X city for your hospitality" then that's already a step forward.

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

It's explicitly stated in the article that this is a benefit.

 

[qc14]

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.

As with many of these things (outdoor games in Europe! Stanley Cup awarded in May! More big trades! Promote stars more!) I think most of the complaining in the media is just due to them being parts of the media.

I certainly don't blame them -- I would also not want what is basically a paid for 5 day vacation with all of my buddies taken away from me -- but they should at least be honest with everyone.

 

[TheBeard]

Day 2 started earlier than usual (8:30am local, usually it's 10am) because The Sphere needed to clean up and be ready for an afternoon movie showing. Definitely felt weird to go to sleep early on a perfectly good Friday night in Vegas. I woke up at 6am and ended up walking into The Sphere behind Tampa's group.

Yeah. That was awful. Especially living in vegas. I had to leave my house at 7:45 to get there in time for the sharks first pick of the second round.