NHL confirms decentralized draft format will return for a third consecutive year

The NHL has confirmed that the 2026 NHL Draft, scheduled for June 25-26, will continue using the decentralized format introduced after the 2024 event. Teams will conduct player selections from individual home-market war rooms rather than a centralized location. While the league cites logistical benefits and team privacy as reasons for the change, the move has drawn significant criticism from hockey analysts and media members. Critics argue that the loss of a shared draft floor diminishes the event’s atmosphere, fan engagement, and professional networking opportunities. Analysts such as Marco D’Amico and Murat Ates have described the shift as detrimental to the identity of the event, suggesting that the focus on operational savings compromises the traditional draft experience. Despite this persistent backlash from the media community, the NHL maintains that this decentralized model remains the permanent approach for future drafts.

• 2:20 PMYahoo Sports — NHL’s decentralized Draft decision draws strong backlash from analysts