The criticized decentralized draft format appears set to continue, despite some negative feedback.
NHL teams have voted to retain the new format for the 2026 Draft, which Sportsnet has confirmed.
Approximately two-thirds of clubs supported keeping the draft decentralized.
Following last month`s decentralized draft, the league surveyed teams for their feedback. While many top prospects were in Los Angeles for the television broadcast, team staff conducted selections from their home base.
The first round of this year`s draft exceeded four hours. However, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly stated Friday that he believes production adjustments could easily shorten future drafts.
Despite potential fixes, the initial impression was mixed, with many finding the television presentation disjointed. Newly drafted players communicated virtually with team executives via large screens, often hampered by unstable connections.
Before this year, the NHL was unique in bringing all participants together in one location for the draft. By contrast, the NBA and NFL have used decentralized draft formats for many years.
