The NHL is considering changing its approach to the early off-season schedule, possibly borrowing an idea from Major League Baseball.
This summer, fans will see the NHL holding its first decentralized draft from Los Angeles, where teams will operate from their headquarters, rather than gathering in one place to welcome young talent into the league.
However, this decision may only be for one year.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet noted on “Saturday Headlines” on “Hockey Night in Canada” that there is already “some buyer`s remorse, maybe a little regret, and this may be a one-time event” regarding the decentralized draft. He added, “At one of the smaller groups of NHL GM Meetings, a suggestion was brought up.”
“Major League Baseball holds its Winter Meetings every December, and everyone gathers together for four days. Teams, free agents, agents – everyone is there.”
Last December, the baseball world gathered at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. There, managers and general managers spoke to the media, and MLB held its draft lottery and Rule 5 Draft.
Having all decision-makers in one place also naturally creates conditions for making deals. In MLB, examples of deals made in Dallas include the Boston Red Sox acquiring ace Garrett Crochet, Max Fried signing a $218 million contract with the New York Yankees, and the Toronto Blue Jays trading for Andrés Giménez.
Friedman spoke about the discussion at the GM meetings: “One of the suggestions was for the NHL to hold a similar event at the end of June – beginning of July. In one city: the awards ceremony, the draft, and the opening of free agency.” “It was not rejected. I think there are people who want to see if this can be implemented.”
The 2025 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 27 and 28, which, of course, directly precedes the opening of free agency on July 1. The league is also looking for a way to change the format of the awards ceremony, and last year it was held the day before the draft, so there is a time window that could be used to hold all NHL off-season events.
Friedman noted that nothing has been decided yet, but added that “it`s on the radar.”
