Rumor has it that the NHL draft is getting a makeover
The National Hockey League (NHL) may be shifting towards significant changes in its draft format post-2026, as revealed by Elliotte Friedman on the "32 Thoughts Podcast."
According to Friedman, there are talks of reducing the draft from its current seven rounds to just four. This move could potentially accelerate the journey of late-round picks towards their NHL dreams, aligning more closely with NBA practices where undrafted players can immediately become free agents, a boon for player rights.
The primary motivation behind trimming the draft appears to be the underutilization of late-round selections. Many of these players linger in the minor leagues on uncertain futures until their rights lapse, often without a contract offer from the drafting teams.
The proposed change aims to mitigate these long waits, providing a quicker path for these athletes to either make the league or move on as free agents.
This year's NHL Draft, set to unfold at The Sphere in Las Vegas, might be one of the last of its kind if the league shifts to a more virtual format akin to what the NFL has adopted.
Such a transformation would enable teams to operate from their local "war rooms," maximizing their strategic resources without the logistical challenges of managing a draft table in an arena setting.
As the NHL continues to evolve, the potential changes to the draft process represent a significant pivot in how teams and players approach the annual event.
This could streamline operations and potentially enhance strategic decisions, benefiting the teams and offering a more dynamic experience for fans. The full impact of these changes remains to be seen, but they promise to reshape the NHL's draft landscape dramatically.
| POLL | ||
Is the move to reduce the number of rounds in the Draft from seven to four something you can get behind? | ||
| Yes, gives players more freedom | 38 | 54.3 % |
| No, there are good players to be had there | 28 | 40 % |
| See Results | 4 | 5.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
