NHL GMs Vote to Maintain Decentralized Draft Format Despite Fan Backlash

The NHL's decision to continue with a decentralized format for the 2026 Entry Draft has sparked significant backlash from fans and analysts alike. Despite the 2025 draft’s nearly five-hour runtime and lack of first-round trades, the majority of NHL general managers voted to keep the draft decentralized, allowing teams to remain in their home cities while players gathered in Los Angeles. Critics, including NHL analyst Dan Kingerski and many fans, argue that the decentralized format diminishes the excitement, drama, and spectacle that a centralized draft offers, with some vowing to skip watching the event if the format remains unchanged. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had previously acknowledged the format's unpopularity but cited it was chosen based on team requests, and the league is exploring ways to improve the draft's pacing. LA Kings president Luc Robitaille noted that while the quiet, distraction-free environment benefits team focus, it sacrifices much of the live event's entertainment value. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between operational efficiency and fan engagement in the NHL draft's future presentation.