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2025 NHL Draft Set for June in Los Angeles with New Decentralized Format
The 2025 NHL Draft is set for June 27 and 28 at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, marking the league’s first draft in the city since 2010. Unlike previous editions, this year’s event will introduce a new decentralized format.
Team executives and scouting staff will make their selections remotely from their home offices, while only top prospects, fans, and media will attend in person. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will announce all first-round picks live from the stage at the Peacock Theater. For fans following online NHL betting sites, the remote format adds a new layer of unpredictability to the upcoming selections.
“The clubs asked for this,” Bettman explained in February. “I wasn’t looking for more exposure. I’ve got plenty. But this is what the clubs wanted, so we’re going to try it.
New Format Replaces Traditional Draft Floor
The traditional setup of club tables on the draft floor, with executives making phone calls and final decisions in person, will be replaced by digital coordination. Bettman said the change reflects what NHL teams prefer in today’s environment.
“What we’re watching is what do the clubs want,” Bettman said during the Stanley Cup Final media session on May 29. “We made this change because the clubs overwhelmingly asked us to do it. After this draft, we’ll ask the clubs if they’re comfortable leaving it this way or if they want to go back the other way.”
The NHL had been the last of the major North American sports leagues to keep an in-person draft setup. The NFL and NBA have used broadcast-focused formats for years, with teams working remotely. The NHL’s former model was often seen as a tradition-rich gathering of general managers, scouts, and agents. However, the logistical and financial challenges of hosting such an event have grown.
Bettman referenced the 2024 NHL Draft at The Sphere in Las Vegas, describing it as impressive but expensive. “We spent multiples, maybe exponentially, of what we normally spend for a draft,” he said. “But if we were going to finish off the way we did it under the old format, we were going to do it as big as we could.”
Draft Moves To Entertainment Center In Los Angeles
This year’s draft will take place at the Peacock Theater, located in the L.A. Live entertainment district. Known for hosting major awards shows and concerts, the venue is expected to offer a modern, high-production backdrop for the NHL’s newest format.
Round 1 of the draft will air live on Friday, June 27 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN, ESPN Plus, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports. Rounds 2 through 7 will follow on Saturday, June 28 starting at 12 p.m. Eastern Time. Those rounds will be broadcast on NHL Network, ESPN Plus, and Sportsnet.
To enhance the experience for fans, the league will also host a two-day draft festival. Activities will include sponsor activations, street hockey games, merchandise booths, live music, and autograph sessions with players.
For international fans following the draft and looking for foreign betting sites to wager on NHL prospects or futures markets, coverage will also be available globally.
Islanders To Pick First Overall
The New York Islanders hold the first overall pick after winning the draft lottery in May. Several top prospects are expected to be considered for the top selections.
Among the projected top picks are:
- James Hagens, a skilled center from Boston College
- Michael Misa, an OHL forward with high-end scoring ability
- Matthew Schaefer, a smooth-skating defenseman from Erie
- Zayne Parekh, a creative puck-moving defenseman from Saginaw
The San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks hold the second and third picks. The newly relocated Utah Hockey Club, formerly the Arizona Coyotes, will pick fourth. All of the top-ranked prospects are expected to attend the draft in person.
A Test For The Future Of The NHL Draft
The league will be watching closely to see how the new format performs. While some long-time fans and executives may miss the old setup, others see this as a chance to modernize and streamline the event.
Sports fans researching best sports betting sites reviews may find new odds fluctuations as franchises adjust their selections based on remote coordination and evolving draft-day strategies.
“We’re going to go through this experience,” Bettman said. “And if there’s a surge of interest to go back, we’ll put it back.”
The 2025 NHL Draft will mark the beginning of a new chapter. Whether this change becomes permanent or not, Los Angeles will be the stage for a major experiment in how the league introduces its next generation of stars.
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