With the NHL Draft likely to be decentralized, this decision hurts the New York Islanders and their fan base. Here's why.
The NHL Draft could look different starting in 2024.
The Athletic writer Chris Johnston said Wednesday that the league held a vote on how the event will be conducted moving forward, and it was overwhelmingly in favor of decentralizing its format.
This means that a floor with all 32 teams and their personnel will be no more, as well as an unforgettable feeling for the draftees and a worthwhile fan experience.
Over the years, the NHL has made the draft into a league-wide gathering and celebration. Fans from all 32 teams would descend to the host city, taking in the sights and events surrounding the future of the game.
With the league on the verge of going remote, the fan experience could be greatly hindered. Fan participation could potentially be eliminated, and the league can't shine the spotlight on certain venues.
One of the teams that will struggle the most from this decision is the New York Islanders.
The Islanders have had quite a few opportunities to show off their fans over the past few years. Be it deep playoff runs or past Stadium Series, the Islanders have taken national stage a few times.
On Feb. 18, the Islanders and Rangers, along with the Devils and Flyers, hit the great outdoors at MetLife Stadium, a unique Stadium Series event with games on back-to-back nights.
However, the draft was always unique in that the Islanders could take the event and make it their own.
Over the years, the NHL Draft took place in cities like Sunrise, Dallas, and Nashville, and all of them had their own unique touches to celebrate a game that isn't most common for their areas.
Even in traditional hockey markets like Chicago, Vancouver, and Montreal, the NHL found a way to celebrate their hosts and make the atmosphere unique.
If the in-arena format goes to the wayside, the Islanders won't be able to showcase UBS Arena, the newest arena in the NHL, to a league-wide audience. Teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Detroit Red Wings, and Seattle Kraken suffer as well, as their new buildings can't be shown off unless it's an All-Star Game.
"We want to bring league events to UBS," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said last season during a media availability in Buffalo last season.
Bettman would not commit to a timeline.
"You need to talk to the Islanders about that," Bettman said. "I mean, you know, buildings just don't pop out of the grounds. It takes a little bit of time and work."
"By the way, the plans are there, and they're committed to doing it."
The plans may not matter...
Fan involvement adds an extra, passionate element. Whether it be the traditional booing of the commissioner, the surprise sound when a big trade gets announced, or when a player gets called to the stage, the attending fans react.
Additionally, teams could also set up a Fanfest of sorts with various alumni, exhibits, and games to keep fans involved, particularly during the slower times of the second day of action.
The Islanders have one of the more unique fanbases in the league, be it with Section 329 cheering the team on every game, the "Yes" chant after every goal, or the energy fans bring come playoff time.
With the Islanders being on the receiving end of attendance jokes prior to UBS' opening, hosting a league venue is a good opportunity to further quash that narrative.
Sure, teams could just host watch parties but fans want to be able to say, "I was there when Player X got drafted," and really soak up that atmosphere while also getting the opportunities for signatures and pictures.
Of course, we won't know what the NHL will do until they announce formal details.
The draft will likely be held in Las Vegas next summer, and T-Mobile Arena will likely be out of the picture. However, the league could take a page out of other league's playbooks with this move.
With various theaters available or even the new Sphere in the city, you could make a unique setting that keeps the fans involved and try something new. The NFL also held a draft in Vegas, which provided a fan viewing area and invited prospects to receive their jersey, so that also could be in play.
Even if the Islanders got the event, the league could make the most of nearby Belmont Racetrack, using the grandstand as a viewing area. Another possibility could be using the Jones Beach Amphitheater, located 20 miles away from UBS Arena, and providing a scenic backdrop.
With the arena located just outside New York City, the league could take advantage of that as well, but then it would have to be a joint effort with the New York Rangers, most likely.
As a result, even if the NHL Draft moves away from in-arena events, the NHL has options to keep fan participation alive. However, if the league goes the route of the 2020 and '21 drafts, the fans lose as they won't be able to see them partake in the marquee event, and the Islanders lose out on a glorious opportunity.
Matthew Page contributed to this story.