NHL to Host First Decentralized Draft at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 27-28

The NHL Draft is headed to Los Angeles this summer, and it promises to be a Gary Bettman show! Set for June 27 and 28 at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theatre, the 2025 NHL Draft will see the long-standing NHL Commissioner introduce each first-round pick in a first-of-its-kind presentation.

“I hope the names aren’t too tricky for me to pronounce,” Bettman joked before the Los Angeles Kings faced off against Utah on Saturday night.

This year’s draft will mark a shift for the NHL, moving towards a decentralized model like what the NFL and NBA have used for years. Team staff will participate virtually from their home cities, while Bettman and top prospects will be present at the event. Bettman’s role will expand beyond emceeing the first round, as he steps into the spotlight to reveal each team’s selection for the first time.

While traditionally teams had announced their picks, the spotlight is now on Bettman, a well-known figure in the hockey world who always elicits strong reactions from fans. And this shift didn’t come out of nowhere – according to Bettman, the clubs asked for this setup, and the NHL is eager to see how people respond to this change after this year’s draft.

Bettman noted the personal touch that each team brought to their announcements, whether it was thanking, honoring, or remembering someone. But after two years of virtual drafts due to the pandemic, most teams found it more convenient to navigate the draft from their home base.

The expanded presence of Bettman might not be the only change on the horizon for the NHL Draft. Steve Mayer, President of events and content, hinted at a “first-rate event with a new look and creative approach,” with more details expected in the coming months.

The draft had returned to an in-person format over the past three years post-pandemic, culminating in an extravagant event at the Sphere in Las Vegas last year. While the NHL wanted to say goodbye to the old format with a bang, future drafts are heading towards a more virtual, decentralized setup that brings the excitement of draft day straight to fans’ screens.