Decentralized NHL Draft Format Roasted by Fans on Social Media: 'Painfully Bad'

NHL GM Don Waddell claims decentralized draft played a 'big part' in lack of trades during Round 1 of 2025 event

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell believes the decentralized setup of the 2025 NHL Draft was a major factor behind the limited trade action in the first round.

NHL draft winners and losers: Decentralized format diminishes event

The NHL held its first decentralized draft outside of the COVID year. It took away from the interesting parts of the first round.

What was NHL thinking with idiotic format that set league's entry draft back decades?

What was the NHL thinking with the daft format that set the league's entry draft back decades?

Decentralized NHL Draft format roasted by fans on social media: 'Painfully Bad'

The league explored a new format for its draft this year, but it didn't go over well with fans.

Tweet of note: Well, SOMEbody liked the decentralized NHL Draft

Per Elite Prospects, DLLS Stars and Shap Shots’ (among others) Sean Shapiro: Steve Yzerman remains a fan of the decentralized draft. He said it felt like a calmer room/setup. Said tomorrow will probably drag on, but likes being in his offices and in his own confines.— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) June 28, 2025

NHL Draft House needs to be foreclosed

The 2025 NHL Draft featured the Draft House, which instantly became an all-time bad idea and only got worse.