New Report Shockingly Suggests NHL GM's Have Voted to Keep the Decentralized Draft

The NHL Draft is one of the biggest events on the calendar, and for the longest time, it has been different to the NFL and NBA Drafts, with the entire front office in attendance, giving it a sense of being different and much more important.

However, in 2025 due to the lack of space in the venue, it was voted to be a 'de-centralized' draft like those other leagues, with just the prospects in attendance, and for the most part, it was a massive flop.

Not only did fans criticize how awkward video interviews with GM's were shortly after the selection as well as the celebrity appearances, but just how long it took, with the first-round being almost five hours long.

That led to immense criticism from around the sports world, but according to Insider Cam Robinson, NHL General Managers have now voted to keep the same format that so utterly threw off the entire fanbase and ruined what many believe to be one of the best nights of the year in the NHL.

It's yet to be confirmed, so things could certainly change, but if this were the case, it would be a very tone deaf move from the NHL, but with owners and front offices looking to save just a little bit of money, it shouldn't be any surprise to long-time NHL fans.

Ultimately, there are many ways to fix what happened in 2025 without going back to the old format, but the old format is what fans loved as it gave them a sense of something different to what other sports provide, but for now, all signs are pointing to this format continuing in 2026 and beyond.