The NHL went with a “decentralized” Draft in 2025. One of the features of the decentralized NHL Draft is the Draft House, an idea that we can confidently say worked better in theory than in execution. And we say that with little reservation because it’s hard to imagine it going worse than it actually did.
For those unfamiliar, the NHL Draft was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. That’s where Commissioner Gary Bettman was, along with ESPN’s Draft team and several of the prospects. When a player in the building was drafted, he’d go on stage and do a Zoom interview with members of his new team’s front office.
It was awkward from the start, with echoes and timing delays.
The “Draft House” interviews sure are awkward. 🏒📺🎙️#NHL #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/O1KSiQSMcy
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 27, 2025
Perhaps you’re thinking that it’s just an awkward start. Maybe a minor technical glitch that can be easily fixed. That did not appear to be the case.
In fact, the Draft House interviews only got more awkward as the night progressed.
Painful. 🏒📺🎙️😬 #NHL #NHLDraft https://t.co/3PoH5rT4zb pic.twitter.com/pDze6QmnsG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 27, 2025
The NHL “Draft House” experience is only getting worse. 🏒📺🎙️😬 #NHL #NHLDraft https://t.co/3PoH5rT4zb pic.twitter.com/lBR703SKNm
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 28, 2025
It did not take long for hockey fans to conclude that the Draft House concept was a bust.
“The Draft House” is potentially the worst idea a sports organization has ever had
— John Cullen (@cullenthecomic) June 27, 2025
I don’t need the kid who was just drafted talking to the executives in the Draft House, followed by the kid then going and talking to Leah Hextall. Let’s shut down the Draft House.
— Judd Zulgad (@jzulgad) June 27, 2025
If Chris Drury gave Pittsburgh the 12th-overall pick solely so that he wouldn’t have to participate in The Draft House then I’d have to say he made the right call.
— Adam Herman (@AdamZHerman) June 27, 2025
Who the hell gave the green light to this draft format? This “Draft House” thing absolutely sucks.
— Alex Ohári 🔴⚫️ (@FutureCanes) June 27, 2025
I wish to never see the NHL’s “Draft House” again.
— Chris Owen (@FiddleSabre) June 27, 2025
We are on a 5 hour Round 1 pace….in 2025 I cannot believe we are doing the Draft this way..I feel so bad for the players … this draft house — terrible!
— Flames Unfiltered (@FlameUnfiltered) June 27, 2025
We could skip the draft house on this NHL draft coverage. It’s awkward Zoom vibes with better audio and video.
— Teresa Walker 👑 (@TeresaMWalker) June 27, 2025
The “Draft House” is the worst thing in the history of the world, and that might be an understatement
— Ryan Hyndman (@RBHyndman) June 27, 2025
About Michael Dixon
About Michael:
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