The NHL`s recent shift to a decentralized draft format appears likely to continue. According to Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, comments made Friday on The FAN Morning Show suggest the league may opt against gathering everyone in one location for the 2026 draft, following this year`s decentralized event.
Following last month`s draft, where top prospects were in Los Angeles for the television broadcast while team personnel worked remotely from their home markets, the league has been surveying its clubs for their feedback. This structure marked a departure for the NHL, which previously held its draft entirely under one roof, contrasting with the long-established decentralized models used by the NBA and NFL.
Daly confirmed that team support for the decentralized approach remains robust. He stated, “What I will say is we continue to see support for a decentralized draft (from the clubs).” He highlighted key benefits identified by teams, such as efficient access to hockey operations staff in a focused, professional environment. Daly underscored the seriousness with which clubs approach the draft, recognizing its impact on the franchise`s future through crucial decision-making.
Given the demanding schedule at the end of the season, culminating in free agency, Daly noted that the efficiency gained by avoiding travel to a single location is highly appealing to many clubs. He indicated that the league will process the feedback from the recent poll to finalize plans for the next year`s draft, but observed that the reasons for adopting the decentralized model have been reaffirmed by the polling results and observations from the recent event.
Corroborating Daly`s remarks, Sportsnet`s Elliotte Friedman reported Thursday that his sources indicate a majority of clubs participating in the poll favour maintaining the decentralized draft structure. While acknowledging the length of this year`s first round (over four hours), Daly believes adjustments in production can provide a straightforward solution to shorten it.
He clarified that the move to decentralize for the 2025 draft was not a league-driven initiative but originated from the franchises themselves. Daly recounted, “When we initially made the decision and announcement we were going to a decentralized draft, a lot of people felt that was the league`s initiative. Quite frankly, to the contrary, it was at the clubs` initiative.” He added that a preliminary “straw poll” on the issue showed overwhelming support for decentralization, which surprised both him and the Commissioner.
Duncan Priestley