NHL reportedly contemplating bizarre change to the Entry Draft

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Axel Williams
September 17, 2024 (2:30 PM)

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Overall, the NHL Entry Draft is quite simple as every team gets a pick in every single round, unless their picks were already traded.

Meanwhile, the order of the draft is based on the draft lottery which takes regular season success, or lack thereof, into account. As it pertains to the age eligibility, 18 and 19-year-olds are eligible to be drafted. However, 18-year-olds must turn 18 by September 15th of their draft year. Consequently, there are some instances where a player can be drafted while they are still 17 years of age.

According to Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts, the NHL is reportedly contemplating a change to the draft in regards to 18-year-olds. Essentially, the league only wants them to be drafted in the first round. Every other round of the draft would be exclusive to 19-year-olds.

It is a bit of a weird change that doesn't really need to happen. Perhaps the league wants to do what the CHL does with exceptional status. That way, only the best of the youngest players are able to get into the league. This way, they can minimize the amount of development years a player may need. Of course, that is just a theory.

The league has yet to make the change and there is no guarantee that they will. Regardless, this is an interesting development that we're sure will stir up some debate.

Do you believe the NHL needs to change the format of the draft? Let us know in the poll down below and stay tuned to Hockey Unplugged for the latest news and updates from around the hockey world.

Source: 32 Thoughts with Elliotte Friedman
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