However, unlike all the previous drafts, the NHL Draft will turn to the decentralized format for the first time in league history, one that other professional leagues have also adopted.
This means that team decision-makers will work from their base of operations (wherever they may be) instead of being on the floor during the draft like in previous years.
"Families are going to be there, prospects are going to be there, we're all going to be there," said league commissioner Gary Bettman. "With more and more people with computers and data involved with the draft and doing that type of work on the floor, they were all more comfortable in their home environments."
"There's noise at the draft. The telephones don't work extremely well either," said Utah Hockey Club general manager Bill Armstrong to ESPN. "I think you can be more productive and more accurate when you're in your own room with more information around you," he said. "Also, you're not worried about exposing your screens to anybody. There's obviously more privacy."
Top prospects in attendance will still go through the process of being greeted by Bettman on the stage when their names are called.
The 2025 NHL Draft will take place at the Peacock Theater from June 27th to June 28th, which marks the draft's return to Los Angeles for the first time since 2010.
