NHL Picks Los Angeles to Host 2025 DRAFT Plans New Format

[Brodeur]

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

It still wouldn't surprise me if some fringe guys still showed up on their own dime like normal, especially if they have (higher ranked) teammates they want to support. I found myself sitting a row behind a group of Owen Sound guys and presumably a billet in 2017 on Day 2; Owen Sound had six guys drafted and that didn't include Sean Durzi who was there and went undrafted.

Of the drafts I went to, Minnesota (2011) stood out in terms of guys who attended and went undrafted. I could only assume that a bunch of local prospects showed up since it wasn't a long drive.

 

[Brodeur]

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.

Still think it's more of a timing issue that caused the GMs to ask for the change. The teams saving money is a secondary benefit.

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Edit: Also of note for 2023, that draft was on Wednesday/Thursday partly because Nashville's arena was already booked for a concert that weekend. ESPN also wanted to see if a midweek draft might get extra viewers since Friday night tends to have fewer people watching TV.

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Because the TV partners, the SCF has gotten pushed further into June. This year will have similar timing to last year:

Monday, June 23: Potential Game 7

Friday, June 27: Round 1
Saturday, June 28: Rounds 2-7 [draft usually ends a little after 2:30pm local time, assuming a 10am start]

Tuesday, July 1: Free agency

We heard some stories of teams staying in Vegas a few extra days to handle free agency last year instead of rushing home. I was naive and assumed that teams had private jets, but I found myself on the same Southwest flight with the Penguins staff in 2015. And then after 2019, there were a few west coast teams already at adjacent gates and I left the draft not long after it concluded. So it can be a mad dash to the airport for some teams.

In terms of the TV presentation, it won't be that much different. The top picks will still get their moment on stage and the commentary crew will pump his tires to the TV audience. Average fan isn't going to care if the players isn't flanked by a half dozen scouts that can't identify for the photo opp. Hopefully teams send an emissary (current player, famous alum, celebrity fan) so not every announcement is done by Bettman. It was a fun mix last year in Vegas with Joe Thornton, Connor Bedard, and Celine Dion making some of the early picks.

 

[varsaku]

Still think it's more of a timing issue that caused the GMs to ask for the change. The teams saving money is a secondary benefit. Because the TV partners, the SCF has gotten pushed further into June. This year will have similar timing to last year:

Monday, June 23: Potential Game 7

Friday, June 27: Round 1
Saturday, June 28: Rounds 2-7 [draft usually ends a little after 2:30pm local time, assuming a 10am start]

Tuesday, July 1: Free agency

We heard some stories of teams staying in Vegas a few extra days to handle free agency last year instead of rushing home. I was naive and assumed that teams had private jets, but I found myself on the same Southwest flight with the Penguins staff in 2015. And then after 2019, there were a few west coast teams already at adjacent gates and I left the draft not long after it concluded. So it can be a mad dash to the airport for some teams.

In terms of the TV presentation, it won't be that much different. The top picks will still get their moment on stage and the commentary crew will pump his tires to the TV audience. Average fan isn't going to care if the players isn't flanked by a half dozen scouts that can't identify for the photo opp. Hopefully teams send an emissary (current player, famous alum, celebrity fan) so not every announcement is done by Bettman. It was a fun mix last year in Vegas with Joe Thornton, Connor Bedard, and Celine Dion making some of the early picks.

It will be done similar to NFL and NBA drafts.

 

[S E P H]

I feel that NFL drafts are always hyped and entertaining. The NFL draft normally beats out NHL playoff games in terms of viewers. Yes, NFL is a beast in its own right, but they build hype while NHL's draft is always 2 hours too long and people make mistakes announcing the damn picks all the effing time. We need something that goes faster, more entertaining, and more entertaining-wise. Not saying this new format is the answer, but the old one had to go.

 

[Brodeur]

In terms of the TV presentation, it won't be that much different. The top picks will still get their moment on stage and the commentary crew will pump his tires to the TV audience. Average fan isn't going to care if the players isn't flanked by a half dozen scouts that can't identify for the photo opp. Hopefully teams send an emissary (current player, famous alum, celebrity fan) so not every announcement is done by Bettman. It was a fun mix last year in Vegas with Joe Thornton, Connor Bedard, and Celine Dion making some of the early picks.

2025 NHL Draft to have revamped look | NHL.com

Top 50 prospects can attend decentralized event; selections will meet team representatives in virtual reality room

www.nhl.com

The NHL will invite the top 50 prospects, according to the final rankings from NHL Central Scouting, to attend, NHL Content and Events President Steve Mayer said. Other prospects may choose to attend, but they will not be formally invited, according to Mayer.

Commissioner Gary Bettman will announce the first selection, but the remaining 31 picks in the first round will be announced by special guests, such as a celebrity with a tie to a particular team or a current or former player from the team making the pick.

My hopes for an Office (Steve Carell / Jenna Fischer) or Anchorman (Will Ferrell / Vince Vaughn / Carell) reunion remain remotely alive.

 

[Brodeur]

I feel that NFL drafts are always hyped and entertaining. The NFL draft normally beats out NHL playoff games in terms of viewers. Yes, NFL is a beast in its own right, but they build hype while NHL's draft is always 2 hours too long and people make mistakes announcing the damn picks all the effing time. We need something that goes faster, more entertaining, and more entertaining-wise. Not saying this new format is the answer, but the old one had to go.

There are some inherent reasons why the NFL draft is more appealing to the broader audience. NCAA football is also a beast. So either the average fan has some exposure to hearing/watching about a player for a couple seasons or making some (often incorrect) determination of a player based on what school/conference they played in; I enjoy doing an annual bump on my friend's post when he went ballistic over the Bills taking Josh Allen over Josh Rosen.

Whereas even among die hard NHL fans, their often isn't the same amount of affiliation with NCAA hockey. Mix in a large portion of draft eligible guys are taken before they were to start college. And then mix in the number of CHL and European prospects. Not many NHL fans are keeping tabs on how Anton Frondell is progressing.

The other problem is the timeline. An average 3rd round pick in the NFL will potentially see significant snaps when the season starts a few months after the draft. Whereas in the NHL, there are some 3rd rounders from 2020 who haven't even turned pro yet.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I feel that NFL drafts are always hyped and entertaining. The NFL draft normally beats out NHL playoff games in terms of viewers. Yes, NFL is a beast in its own right, but they build hype while NHL's draft is always 2 hours too long and people make mistakes announcing the damn picks all the effing time. We need something that goes faster, more entertaining, and more entertaining-wise. Not saying this new format is the answer, but the old one had to go.

I find the NFL draft boring, too much of Goodell.

can’t wait til NHL go back to the old format, as they are already talking about reviewing it for the 2026 draft, after GM meetings, and they haven’t even had the 2025 one yet.

Must be getting feedback that some don’t like the proposed change.

 

[Brodeur]

I find the NFL draft boring, too much of Goodell.

can’t wait til NHL go back to the old format, as they are already talking about reviewing it for the 2026 draft, after GM meetings, and they haven’t even had the 2025 one yet.

Must be getting feedback that some don’t like the proposed change.

There seemed to be some people lamenting after last year's draft since it was a unique venue + Vegas being a great spot for a work trip. That might be tough to replicate elsewhere.

Given the amount of turnover among scouts, I kinda wonder if it almost doubled as a job convention for some. I remember an anecdote from Gare Joyce's book "Future Greats and Heartbreaks" where Daniel Dore knew his contract wasn't being renewed by the Bruins in 2007 and he was canvassing other teams at the draft for openings.

 

[3074326]

I feel that NFL drafts are always hyped and entertaining. The NFL draft normally beats out NHL playoff games in terms of viewers. Yes, NFL is a beast in its own right, but they build hype while NHL's draft is always 2 hours too long and people make mistakes announcing the damn picks all the effing time. We need something that goes faster, more entertaining, and more entertaining-wise. Not saying this new format is the answer, but the old one had to go.

It will never be anything remotely close to the NFL draft. Let's lower expectations. Until the NHL gets radio stations all across the country and the biggest sports network in the world to talk about the NHL draft nonstop for three months, no shot of competition.

The NFL draft is boring as hell too. Drafts are boring in general. People watching the NFL draft can usually count on seeing some of those players in the NFL in a few months. NHL? Lucky to see a couple players in three years from his draft time. And the NHL doesn't have its feeder leagues getting the airtime that NCAAF gets.

Just really not a fan of comparing the NHL to the NFL in any way whatsoever. It's a juggernaut for a lot of reasons that the NHL simply can't do anything about.

 

[Golden_Jet]

There seemed to be some people lamenting after last year's draft since it was a unique venue + Vegas being a great spot for a work trip. That might be tough to replicate elsewhere.

Ya would hard to top that, especially if you were inside the sphere.

Given the amount of turnover among scouts, I kinda wonder if it almost doubled as a job convention for some. I remember an anecdote from Gare Joyce's book "Future Greats and Heartbreaks" where Daniel Dore knew his contract wasn't being renewed by the Bruins in 2007 and he was canvassing other teams at the draft for openings.

That wouldn’t surprise me, as that is their big day,
also good point some contracts would be expiring likely on July 1.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Sounds like some teams are not happy about the plan the nhl wants

 

[Jumptheshark]

Ya would hard to top that, especially if you were inside the sphere.



That wouldn’t surprise me, as that is their big day,
also good point some contracts would be expiring likely on July 1.

Actually Management contracts are little different from contracts of players. Most management contracts expire at the conclusion of the draft.