Important Changes Coming to the NHL Entry Draft, Top NHL Insider Confirms

With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft set to take place on the 27th and 28th of this month, all teams outside of the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are currently preparing for the yearly event.

However, this year has a different twist to it as the NHL decided to go down the decentralized route. The top 50 prospects - according to the NHL Central Scouting - can choose to be present if they want to. However, team executives, coaches, and scouts are (more than likely) not going to be present.

The NHL decided on this format earlier in the year and instead of all 32 teams being bunched together on the floor of a specific host arena, they will instead be gathering in various locations of their choosing in their home markets.

Commissioner Gary Bettman is going to announce the first pick. The NHL's decision to change the 2025 draft format might already be a regretful one as they are considering a drastic move ahead of the 2026 Entry Draft. However, the remaining 31 selections will be done by special guests and celebrities. Bettman added that one representative from each team will still be present to aid in the flow of information.

It was always seen as a peculiar decision since the draft has generally always been centralized with prospects being called down, making the long walk, and then shaking hands before pulling the jersey over their head and taking a picture with all the team's executives.

Now, it sounds like the current format might just be a one-year thing, because Elliotte Friedman alluded to the fact that they are already considering going back to the old format next year when he appeared on the Real Kyper & Bourne show, citing that they "realized it was a mistake".

So, at the very least, it sounds like the decentralized format will only be around in 2025, but it's unfortunate for top prospects like Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa, who will be missing out on what originally made the draft so special.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will enter draft night with no picks in the first round, but they do still hold selections in the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th rounds as well as two picks in the 5th round.