2020 NHL Entry Draft

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Yes, and I can't see any owner being on board with this at all. This literally handcuffs their franchise in so many ways. If I was the GM's and the owners I would simply say no. Go ahead and hold the draft, nobody is going to make a pick. This proposal by the NHL has too many problems, it is going to be a disaster!

Perfect. Flames will make the picks than. Lafreniere, Byfield come on down!

[standinmotion]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Having the draft after the season if it doesn’t end until September also causes problems

What sort of problems do you think? - Genuine question.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Yes, and I can't see any owner being on board with this at all. This literally handcuffs their franchise in so many ways. If I was the GM's and the owners I would simply say no. Go ahead and hold the draft, nobody is going to make a pick. This proposal by the NHL has too many problems, it is going to be a disaster!

Almost every owner probably wants it in June . Did you see the numbers that the nfl virtual draft brought in? Not saying they would get the same ratings but my guess it would be the most televised nhl draft ever. They can sell advertisement for it at a premium right now. They won’t get that kind of sales and ratings if they actually finish the season and then do it.

Gm’s on the other hand probably want no part of it in June.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Almost every owner probably wants it in June . Did you see the numbers that the nfl virtual draft brought in? Not saying they would get the same ratings but my guess it would be the most televised nhl draft ever. They can sell advertisement for it at a premium right now. They won’t get that kind of sales and ratings if they actually finish the season and then do it.

Gm’s on the other hand probably want no part of it in June.

I am betting it will be the least watched draft in the history of televised drafts. The NFL draft had immediate impact players and trades. No trades, no ratings.

[SportsJunky]

I'll take that bet. People are going to watch imo.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I am betting it will be the least watched draft in the history of televised drafts. The NFL draft had immediate impact players and trades. No trades, no ratings.

That's bull.

If this happens to be the first live televised NHL product since mid-March, there will be tonnes of interest from thousands of fans, regardless of whether or not any trades actually occur. The hockey-starved public will ensure that there will be plenty of viewers; maybe more than any other NHL draft in history.

[Rando]

The draft is the ice cream, trades are the sprinkles.

[Strange Brew]

You can’t compare the NFL and NHL drafts.

The early round picks in the NFL draft are already stars since college football is kind of a big deal. Every single player selected in the NFL draft is expected to make the team and contribute in the next year.

Most NHL players drafted go back to their old team in the next year.

An NHL draft without trades is OK but not real interesting for most fans.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Having the draft after the season if it doesn’t end until September also causes problems

What would they be? Assuming no other leagues are playing before then.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

You can’t compare the NFL and NHL drafts.

The early round picks in the NFL draft are already stars since college football is kind of a big deal. Every single player selected in the NFL draft is expected to make the team and contribute in the next year.

Most NHL players drafted go back to their old team in the next year.

An NHL draft without trades is OK but not real interesting for most fans.

You can’t compare overall numbers but they had a huge jump in ratings because they were the only sport in town. The nhl is trying do do the same . They will also see an uptick on viewership. It would be the only sport in town. Yes trades make it better , but how many trades actually happen on day 1 every year? 2 at the most ? Could be wrong.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

That's bull.

If this happens to be the first live televised NHL product since mid-March, there will be tonnes of interest from thousands of fans, regardless of whether or not any trades actually occur. The hockey-starved public will ensure that there will be plenty of viewers; maybe more than any other NHL draft in history.

We will see. Pretty much every article I have read on the draft happening in June has negative comments.

[dissentowner]

Not to mention the handcuffing of teams that have acquired extra picks to make deals involving roster players. Then there is the mess of conditional picks. It is just a poor idea that reeks of desperation for minute ratings. It simply isn't fair to any team either. Cancel the season and have the draft or finish the season and have the draft. The alternative is truly ridiculous.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

You can’t compare overall numbers but they had a huge jump in ratings because they were the only sport in town. The nhl is trying do do the same . They will also see an uptick on viewership. It would be the only sport in town. Yes trades make it better , but how many trades actually happen on day 1 every year? 2 at the most ? Could be wrong.

I agree with you that it’s possible you’d see an uptick in viewers from other years but it’s off a relatively small base. And the NFL didn’t have to disrupt their cycle to do it so they had the prospect of trades etc. of which there were plenty.

If you have hope of finishing the season that needs to be the priority, not a little potential ratings jump in your off season programming IMO.

[transplant99]

Bob McKenzie
@TSNBobMcKenzie
·
9m
A final decision on whether to have the NHL draft in early June could come today but the league’s call on that still could slide into the coming days. At this point, it’s more likely than not the draft will be held in early June, but no date(s) set yet.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Yes the whole timeframe is different because of this. No one wants to start the season without fans so the start gets pushed back as late as possible.

Which gives you all the more time to run a made for TV playoffs this year.

For the league it’s the best way to try and maximize both playoff TV revenue and gate for regular season.

Play resumes July 1? Next season starts January 1? Just guesses.

I think July 1st is spot on.

January 1st only if the world has a readily available vaccine by that point, which I doubt.

I think December becomes January, which becomes something closer to March, which may have them just taking the year off and starting in September as per usual. (October regular season)

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Having the draft after the season if it doesn’t end until September also causes problems

Originally Posted by standinmotion

What sort of problems do you think? - Genuine question.

Not that the problems are insurmountable, but it would cause problems for the junior teams. They would be running training camps and trying to figure out rosters. Are they able to make trades during this time (the junior teams)?? How could they do that if they don't even know if that player will be with them or if they were drafted?

[standinmotion]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

Not that the problems are insurmountable, but it would cause problems for the junior teams. They would be running training camps and trying to figure out rosters. Are they able to make trades during this time (the junior teams)?? How could they do that if they don't even know if that player will be with them or if they were drafted?

This sounds very condescending of course; but wouldn't the junior league play around the NHL schedules anyway? I.e. the NHL sets the course and all other leagues adapt around it?

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think July 1st is spot on.

January 1st only if the world has a readily available vaccine by that point, which I doubt.

I think December becomes January, which becomes something closer to March, which may have them just taking the year off and starting in September as per usual. (October regular season)

I could see them starting the season with empty arenas or small crowds if the belief is that they will be full within a month or two.

I watched Last Dance episode 5 last night and they showed footage of the Dream Team scrimmaging in 1992 in an empty gym. It had me warming up to the idea of watching sports in venues without fans. It seemed competitive as hell.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

Not that the problems are insurmountable, but it would cause problems for the junior teams. They would be running training camps and trying to figure out rosters. Are they able to make trades during this time (the junior teams)?? How could they do that if they don't even know if that player will be with them or if they were drafted?

That assumes junior/college teams will be playing this fall, which I'd say is pretty unlikely at this point.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by standinmotion

This sounds very condescending of course; but wouldn't the junior league play around the NHL schedules anyway? I.e. the NHL sets the course and all other leagues adapt around it?

Originally Posted by getbak

That assumes junior/college teams will be playing this fall, which I'd say is pretty unlikely at this point.

Yes, that is assuming the junior teams play at all which of course is also uncertain at this point. The leagues operate independently so not sure what level of cooperation there may or may not be (??). My only point was the NHL does not exist in a vacuum and pushing the draft to September may in fact have a domino effect on other leagues. Both your points are valid.