The location of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft has been revealed. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports that the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles will host the first decentralized NHL draft model.
The last time that the NHL Draft was in Los Angeles was in 2010 and the return is due to the NHL taking their events to bigger markets in recent years. While I have my reservations about the decentralized version of the draft, the NHL got it right in 2024 hosting the event in Las Vegas Sphere venue.
The details aren’t finalized, but reports are circling that Gary Bettman is working to wrap up the arrangements at the 7,100-seat Peacock Theater. The venue is close to Crypto.com Arena, which is the Los Angeles Kings home arena.
In addition to the report, Bettman, alongside much of the NHL’s executives will be in Los Angeles to begin putting the final touches on the 2025 edition of the NHL Draft. At this time, there is minimal information available about where the NHL Awards Show will be held and there is speculation at this time if the show will even take place in 2025. This is mainly due to how poorly the 2024 NHL Awards Show was received by both the live audience and the television audience.
With the NHL testing the decentralized model of the draft, teams’ management groups and scouting staff will be at their home location while prospects and their families will be in attendance in Los Angeles.
The NHL Draft has been and always will be a tradition for hockey fans. Big trades being broken and unexpected moments happening live are just something you cannot forget. I truly believe that the NHL won’t last long in a decentralized model of the NHL Draft as prospects meeting the team’s management and scouting staff on the draft floor is just a crucial step in the drafting process.
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