In the final year of the current format having all NHL front offices in the same location, the presentation goes out with a bang at Sphere in Las Vegas. Starting next year, those management personnel will be in their own war rooms thousands of kilometres away from one another, adopting more of the NFL and NBA approach to an entry draft.
It will be the last chance for the in-person discussions moments before the selections are made, with those conversations happening out of view of the media and fans in attendance going forward. Something will be lost when the format changes, so we’ll have to appreciate the display one last time.
How to watch
Round 1
Date: Friday, June 28
Start time: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT
TV Channel: Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Canada), ESPN (USA)
Online stream: ESPN+, Sportsnet+
Rounds 2-7
Date: Saturday, June 29
Start time: 11:30 AM EDT / 8:30 AM PDT
TV Channel: Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Canada), NHL Network (USA)
Online stream: ESPN+, Sportsnet+
It would be shocking if Macklin Celebrini doesn’t go first overall. After that, anything is possible with plenty of good prospects available, but only a few projected stars. That has several teams looking to move up. The cost for doing so is reportedly steep, but we just may see a team desperate enough for a high-end prospect to make that move.
In fact, the Canadiens have already made a move of their own, trading up to the 21st-overall pick with the Los Angeles Kings.
First round order
- San Jose Sharks
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Anaheim Ducks
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Montreal Canadiens
- Utah Hockey Club
- Ottawa Senators
- Seattle Kraken
- Calgary Flames
- New Jersey Devils
- San Jose Sharks
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Minnesota Wild
- Buffalo Sabres
- Detroit Red Wings
- St. Louis Blues
- Washington Capitals
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Vegas Golden Knights
- New York Islanders
- Montreal Canadiens
- Nashville Predators
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Colorado Avalanche
- Boston Bruins
- Los Angeles Kings
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Calgary Flames
- Dallas Stars
- New York Rangers
- Anaheim Ducks
- Philadelphia Flyers
