NHL to hold its 1st decentralized draft June 27-28 in Los Angeles

The 2025 NHL draft is set to take place on June 27 and 28 at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, as announced by the league over the weekend. This year’s draft will see a new format being implemented, with teams participating virtually from their respective home cities, following the decentralized model that has been long established in the NFL and NBA.
Despite the virtual setup, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and top prospects will still be in attendance at the Peacock Theatre for the event. President of events and content, Steve Mayer, expressed excitement for the upcoming draft, stating that both prospects and fans can look forward to a first-rate event with a fresh look and creative approach. More details regarding the draft will be revealed in the coming months.
This marks a significant shift from the past three years, where the draft was conducted in person. The previous two years saw the draft being held virtually due to the challenges posed by the pandemic. With the return to an in-person event, albeit with a virtual twist for team staff, the 2025 NHL draft promises to be a memorable and innovative experience for all involved.
Stay tuned for more updates and announcements leading up to the highly anticipated 2025 NHL draft at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.