The next NHL Draft will be quite different. For the first time, the event will be decentralized, which means executives will not be present on-site but rather in their respective bunkers.

Much like the NFL Draft, prospects, journalists, and fans will be in the stands at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles this June.

NHL team executives, scouts, and coaches will participate virtually.

The goal was to cut travel and accommodation expenses for the organizations.

But the consequence is that we will no longer see announcements from the stage like we used to.

Gone are the days when the GM would make his selection to the cheers of the crowd.

Gone are the photos with the front office staff.

Gone is the arena floor filled with team tables.

Gone is the speculation when we’d see one GM walk over to talk to another..

Is the NHL already regretting its decision?

This first reimagined edition of the draft hasn’t even happened yet, and already some GMs are saying the league might return to the old format sooner rather than later.

That’s what TSN journalist Darren Dreger reported in a recent post on the X platform.

Some are beginning to regret their vote on the matter. However, it’s too late to change things for this season.

As Dreger mentions, only the top 50 prospects will be present in Los Angeles on June 27 and 28.

Beyond that ranking, young players will have to stay home and wait in their living rooms to see if they’ll be selected or not.

Let’s admit-it’s quite a different atmosphere..

We somewhat experienced this in 2020 and 2021 when, during the pandemic, the amateur draft was held virtually.

In the first of those drafts, Alexis Lafrenière was selected first overall, while Owen Power was the Sabres’ pick in the second edition.

Let’s also not forget the stir caused by Marc Bergevin’s selection of Logan Mailloux in 2021.