The 2025 NHL draft will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 27-28, marking a significant change as it shifts to a decentralized format. This format, already used by other major leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB, means teams will make their draft selections from their own facilities rather than traveling to a central location. The venue is located across from the Crypto.com Arena, home to the Los Angeles Kings. The NHL has not held the draft in Los Angeles since 2010 when Taylor Hall was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers.
This marks the NHL’s first decentralized draft, moving away from the traditional model that has been in place since 1963, except for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new setup, top prospects, a few team representatives, and league executives will gather in a smaller venue, while NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will announce each first-round pick and welcome the draftees onstage. The details of public access to the Peacock Theater remain unclear, though it is expected that some form of public interaction will be facilitated.
Gary Bettman has been a strong advocate for this format change, stating that it would allow families, prospects, and team staff to be more comfortable in their own environments, with the abundance of data and computers involved in the draft process. Bettman also pointed out that the atmosphere of the traditional draft, with its noise and technical challenges, has led many in the industry to prefer working from their own facilities.
Bill Armstrong, general manager of the Utah Hockey Club, echoed Bettman’s sentiment, emphasizing the difficulties of working on the draft floor. He highlighted issues such as noise and poor telephone connectivity, which hinder the efficiency of making informed decisions. Working remotely from a home base offers better access to information, increased privacy, and a more productive environment for making critical draft selections.
A decentralized draft also provides significant financial benefits. Armstrong pointed out the high costs associated with moving staff to a central location for the draft, followed by the added expenses of returning to development camps. By allowing teams to stay in their home facilities, the NHL can reduce the logistical and financial burdens of the event. This shift is seen as a cost-effective and more efficient alternative to the traditional draft model.
