Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The 2024 NHL Draft was a resounding success, in part because it took place in the cutting-edge technological marvel that is the Sphere in Las Vegas.
However, the league decided decentralize the project therefore, NHL general managers and team executives remain in their city during the event. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman believes the league is doing the right thing with the draft process and is deferring to the teams who voted to change the nature of the draft.
“The Sphere has been an incredible experience, but our clubs want to be decentralized,” Bettman told the media on October 9 in Vegas. “Now it’s going to be a big event again. Perspectives will always be with us. The difference will come from the teams, instead of being on the field and announcing their own picks, they will send their picks, probably electronically. I’ll announce it, greet the player, and then they’ll get on a plane and visit whoever drafted them.
Related: 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Will There Be a Race for No. 1 Overall?
Certainly, there are elements of the centralized project that we will not miss. For example, the formal approach we see from teams when the brass comes to the mic – the “we want to thank everyone at (home town) watching (home town location)” routine – is usual when everyone is waiting to hear the choice. . But like Bettman said, there are some elements we won’t miss because they won’t lead anywhere – including still having a place that hosts the draft, hearing from players when they’re selected, seeing trades go down and more.
“With the number of people that are now involved, the use of computers and analytics and everything else, I think most of our clubs are more comfortable staying at home to do this,” Bettman continued. “I like the format we had. I think what we did in the Sphere was incredible, especially for the Sphere’s first live televised event. But, ultimately, on certain things, I think it is important to leave it to the clubs.
NEWS: The NHL released a memo to teams indicating there was majority support for a move to a decentralized draft. It’s still unclear whether this will happen in 2024 and there are a lot of logistics to sort out.
– Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 25, 2023
That said, while the new process hasn’t yet been formally defined, we will miss some elements of the centralized project — notably the on-the-ground drama of CEOs and other leaders talking over each other. Instead of two general managers walking away to discuss a trade, they’ll be on the phone in different cities. While there may still be interviews with general managers during the draft, it won’t feel as natural as being in person. But there will still be a host city where players and their families can show up for the festivities, and David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period suggested the next draft will take place in Los Angeles. Bettman was coy when confronted with the possibility this week.
“I don’t think we’ve made any official announcements yet and like I said, I’m not going to say any news tonight,” Bettman said of the Los Angeles rumors. “But it was a very good try.”
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