Gary Bettman Reportedly Getting Lots of Criticism for Changes to the NHL Draft

The NHL will have a decentralized NHL Entry Draft going forward, and Gary Bettman is facing a ton of heat for this and will likely hear a lot of boos when he speaks.

Buckle up for even more boos of Gary Bettman at the 2025 NHL Draft. The NHL is finally adopting a decentralized draft model for the first time, with Bettman himself making each first-round pick this June in Los Angeles.

It is after the NFL and NBA, where commissioners make first-round picks and teams appear virtually.

Bettman has never been popular, literally booed at major NHL games like the draft and Stanley Cup Final. First-round picks are usually presented by team management or a guest of honor but not this year.

This year marks the first time the NHL Draft has taken place in Los Angeles in 10 years, coming to Crypto.com Arena, formerly Staples Center, in 2010.

Highlights of the draft included Dylan McIlrath being selected at No. 10 by the Rangers, read by alum Gordie Clark, and Kevin Connolly reading Islanders' choice of Brock Nelson at No. 30.

The shift to a decentralized system brings an end to a decades-old practice of fans and clubs sitting together in a city to view the draft.

While the clubs won't be there, the NHL wants to generate that same excitement about the NFL, whose 2024 draft attracted nearly a million fans and 12.1 million watch first-round coverage.

For context, the NHL first round on ESPN averaged 502,000 last year. Whether the fans welcome the change or not is a question of time, but one thing is for sure, Bettman's welcome will likely not be a warm one.

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