Following the execution of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft under a decentralized model, the league`s teams are indicating a strong preference for the new format, according to NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.
Speaking recently, Daly confirmed that the league has been actively polling its clubs regarding their experience and sentiment towards the decentralized approach, where team personnel remained in their home markets while top prospects might convene in a central location for broadcast purposes. The feedback, he noted, overwhelmingly supports continuing with this model.
The shift away from the traditional centralized draft, where all 32 teams, prospects, and media converged in one city, was, perhaps surprisingly to some, an initiative driven primarily by the clubs themselves, not league headquarters. As Daly explained, a straw poll conducted prior to the decision revealed a significant preference for decentralization among the franchises.
The core reasons cited for this preference revolve around **efficiency and operational effectiveness**. In the words of the Deputy Commissioner, clubs value having “efficient access to your hockey operations personnel in kind of a quiet, businesslike setting.” The draft is a critical juncture for franchise building, demanding focused decision-making. Teams feel this is better achieved without the logistical complexities and potential distractions of travel and a large, central gathering.
Furthermore, the increasingly congested calendar at the end of the NHL season, with commitments leading right up to the start of free agency, makes the prospect of avoiding travel to a specific draft location highly appealing from a practical standpoint. The time and resources saved by operating remotely allow teams to maintain better control and focus during a crucial period.
While the 2025 draft`s first round extended over four hours, Daly believes this is primarily a production issue with an “easy fix” rather than an inherent flaw in the decentralized format itself. This suggests that any kinks in the remote model are viewed as minor and addressable.
The league is currently processing all the feedback from the clubs. However, based on the strong signals received so far, it would not be unexpected if the NHL continues with a decentralized draft format for 2026 and beyond. The reasons that prompted the initial change have been “reasserted” by the clubs` post-draft feedback, indicating this structural shift might be a permanent evolution for the league`s annual talent selection process, bringing it in line with practices long adopted by other major North American sports leagues like the NBA and NFL.
