2027 NHL Draft To Remain Decentralized

One of the NHL’s more contentious policies isn’t set to change for the 2026-27 season. The 2027 NHL Draft will take place on June 25 and 26, and remain in a decentralized format, per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. The decentralized draft format allows teams to stay in their home market, rather than organizing on the draft floor. This will be the third consecutive draft in the decentralized format, after league executives voted for the change in October 2023. The format was influenced by the 2020 and 2021 NHL Drafts, which took place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Opinions are spread on the decentralized format among fans and league professionals. Los Angeles Kings president Luc Robitaille spoke of it positively in an interview with TSN. The Hall Of Fame winger said that the format offers fewer distractions and less traveling for scouts, though he acknowledged that some executives aren’t nearly as fond of it. That opinion was captured by an anonymous executive who told Cam Robinson of EliteProspects that the NHL was “pretending” that the decentralized format was beneficial. New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche spoke more openly on the format ahead of the 2025 Draft, telling NHL.com’s Racehl Luscher:

I enjoy being on the draft floor and having everyone in one city, but other sports do it like this so I’m comfortable this way. With me just starting, it’s nice to have everybody here and focused. I enjoy the in-person I won’t lie, but whatever the league decides I’ll be doing my job.

Regardless of league opinions, the decision to remain decentralized will offer a glimpse into how draft day will look for the 2027 class. The NHL has yet to announce which city will play host to a draft class expected to be led by University of Michigan defenseman Landon DuPont and multiple top Russians.