Gary Bettman and the NHL make significant changes to the 2025-26 entry draft

However, with the change in technology and shift in the way how people meet, congregate, and work this could change as well. They could go a route that the NBA uses for their draft, a decentralized system.

With the invention of telecommuting and Zoom, the NHL could adopt a major change that would see GM Chris Drury stay home in New York during the day of the draft and make selections from Madison Square Garden.

The NHL would see fit to change to a decentralized draft, with teams staying at home while prospects would for example gather in the Sphere.

We're sure many GMs hope, that this could speed up the draft, and allow teams the flexibility for free agency on July 1st.

This is according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period:

GM Chris Drury and the Rangers would stay at home and make decisions from New York, rather than flying to Los Angeles if the next NHL Draft will be taking place there.

This could be controversial for those orthodox GMs and fans, who want a traditional NHL Draft experience. But who is to say that they can't walk up a stage and accept their jersey from a representative from the NHL or the drafting team?

Has our imagination been stunted that much by orthodoxy?

Source: Hawks Insider
Gary Bettman and NHL make major changes to 2025-26 entry draft that changes it all for Chicago