Ever since Gary Bettman announced that the 2025 NHL Draft would follow a decentralized format, a lot of hubbub has been doing the rounds within the hockey community. “Some people like it; some people don’t,” said the LA Kings’ president, Luc Robitaille, about the League’s move to operate out of the office for the offseason event. But it seems like Bill Zito doesn’t have much to complain about the new setup.

This is the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that the NHL Draft is being held in a decentralized format. While there are critics still skeptical about its viability, Bettman had previously claimed the decision was made because the teams had voted in its favor.

Bill Zito also faced questions from reporters on the 2025 NHL Draft and didn’t hold back in sharing his feelings about the same. In a YouTube upload by FloridaHockeyNow from June 28, the Cats’ general manager can be heard giving his honest take on how the decentralized draft system could be a welcome move from the busy schedule that keeps everyone on their toes throughout the entire season. However, he also noted that both this year’s setup and the otherwise traditional way of handling business have their pros and cons.

“It’s checks and balances,” said Zito with a faint smile that suggests he’s yet to place his entire confidence in only one format. “You like being on the floor. You like being able to walk over and talk to people. You kind of like seeing what else is going on in case maybe I want to get in on it. The flip side of that is you can sit at your table. You can walk in and have sort of fuller conversations with the group without you standing on the railing looking at my PC,” Zito further elaborated on how both the NHL Draft formats come with their own sets of unique advantages.

“Yeah, for me, either way. Honestly, I see the benefits of both, and I’m happy to go either way,” Zito said further. However, he did underscore that there’s one factor that’s making him appreciate the decentralized settings. When a reporter mentioned that the whole Panthers squadron didn’t have to fly to LA for the NHL Draft, Zito stated, “That was a bigger deal, so that we didn’t lose a day, and we don’t have any days. So that, in this instance, was easier.”

But travel, or no travel, the 2025 NHL draft was as exciting as it could get.

The 2025 NHL Draft was a bountiful affair for teams

The New York Islanders most definitely had a lot to smile about after the 2025 NHL Draft. From drafting the No. 1 overall pick, Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters, to Victor Eklund (16th overall), and Kashawn Aitcheson (17th overall), the big Apple team surely made the most of the chance to be the first team to make the pick at this year’s draft. After a rather unimpressive 2024-25 season, fans can now hope that the new signees will help transform the team back to its glory days.

The Calgary Flames also made some noise by drafting Cole Reschny (18th overall) and Cullen Potter (32nd overall). The Boston Bruins fans have the right to be extra gleeful. Not only did they bag Boston College sensation James Hagens at the 2025 NHL Draft, but they also managed to ruin the night for many Islanders fans, who were hoping to see the NCAA star, a Long Island native, come their way.

The Anaheim Ducks roped in Roger McQueen as the 10th overall pick, showing their faith in the teenage defenseman’s abilities on the ice. From the names mentioned above, it’s safe to say that the decentralized NHL Draft was a resounding success, at least for the top brass of the franchises. While 2026’s format hasn’t been disclosed yet, we can assume that everything that went down at the Peacock Theater in LA this year will definitely have a say in how business is handled the next time around. What do you think will happen in the 2026 Draft? Tell us in a comment!