NHL may make major change to draft, would see over 100 less players drafted

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Josh tupper
June 9, 2024 (2:20 PM)

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Photo credit: NHL

Being drafted into the NHL is every player's dream, however, that dream may get much more difficult if the league implements it's proposed changes to the draft.

For almost all hockey players growing up, they share the dream of one day being drafted into the NHL. For the elite few that every achieve their dream, it's one of the best days of their lives. For the rest it's an opportunity to go back to the drawing board and find another route to the NHL.

According to a recent report it may become even more difficult for players to be drafted into the NHL, especially if agents have their way. On today's 32 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman revealed a potential change to the league's draft which has been suggested.

Some player agents believe the NHL Draft should be shortened to just 4 rounds, and there's a possibility that the NHLPA could fight for shortening the draft in the next CBA, per @FriedgeHNIC (32TP).

The reasoning is players that don't get contracts are mostly later-round picks, and people (mostly agents) wonder why players get tied to a team for 2-4 years, only to not get a contract from that team.

«They almost think it's like holding up a player from really beginning their NHL career. We'll see what happens there.»

The current CBA expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.

While this idea makes sense in theory, over the years NHL Draft picks have become a current currency used every year. Teams now use late round picks for salary retention almost yearly. Removing those 5th, 6th and 7th round picks would drastically impact salary retention and in some cases completely destroy the trade market.

While agents are right that there likely needs to be a change for late round draft picks, this idea certainly isn't the solution to a problem that only agents who are looking for a payout seem to be searching for.

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Veteran referee caught on hot mic telling Panthers they're allowed to retaliate

POLL
9 JUIN \| 244 ANSWERS NHL may make major change to draft, would see over 100 less players drafted Should the NHL shorten the draft to four rounds?
Yes, absolutely	86	35.2 %
No, it's a terrible idea	76	31.1 %
They need a change but not this	48	19.7 %
I don't care	34	13.9 %
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