From Auston Matthews in 2016, to Jack Hughes in 2019 and most recently Macklin Celebrini in 2024, the top picks of the NHL draft each year have all been announced at the NHL draft which takes place every June.
The NHL draft is a monumental time for not only the top prospects awaiting their fate, but their families, NHL teams and, of course, the devoted fans who tune in from across the world. However, this year, the NHL Board of Governors have chosen to decentralize the draft, meaning that only the top prospects, a limited number of fans and the media will be in attendance. In every draft prior, NHL club executives, scouts and coaches all attended in person but this year, their presence will be virtual.
This will be the second time that the city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Kings organization has hosted the draft, with the last time being in 2010.
According to NHL.Com, Steve Mayer, the President of NHL Events and Content, stated, “The NHL Draft is an amazing showcase of the future stars of the National Hockey League so it’s only fitting for it to be held in Los Angeles- – a city filled with stars. With the support of the Kings, LA Tourism and Upper Deck, the prospects and our fans can expect a first-rate event with a new look and creative approach. We are excited to share more details in the coming months.”
One reason why the NHL BOG chose to decentralize the draft was to make it easier for teams to make their picks. Allowing them to join virtually from the comfort of their home cities allows for less travel costs and essentially makes things more practical and convenient for the league.
It can be expected that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman’s role in the draft will be more prominent this year as fewer and fewer in person team members will be in attendance.
The NHL Draft is an amazing showcase of the future stars of the National Hockey League so it’s only fitting for it to be held in Los Angeles- – a city filled with stars.
Steve Mayer, President of NHL Events and Content
It will be interesting to see how the league decides to incorporate former and current players into the event. Last year, recently retired Joe Thornton took the stage to announce the San Jose Shark’s No. 1 pick, Macklin Celebrini. This is a common occurrence each year and is part of what makes the top picks feel so special. Perhaps the NHL BOG will invite the former players to be in attendance in person or maybe they will join online. Only time will tell.
The 2025 NHL draft is set for June 27-28 and will be held at the Peacock Theater in LA. With limited in person attendance available, the league is ensuring fans can watch from all over the world. The draft will be available to watch on many online platforms including ESPN, Sportsnet and the NHL Network, just to name a few.
With this being the first decentralized draft in the NHL’s history, fans should expect surprises as Commissioner Bettman has hinted that many things will be different this time around.