Despite what seemed to be a successful draft at The Sphere in Las Vegas last summer, the NHL has announced that they are going forward with a decentralized draft this summer. It will be held in Los Angeles on June 27th and 28th with league officials, media, and the top prospects in attendance. The team executives will remain in their home cities and participate virtually.
With free agency always following on the heels of the draft, teams felt rushed when they had to fly to a draft city, and then back home following the proceedings. This change will allow them to keep all of their scouts and executives together in one place throughout the entire process.