Bring it back.

Yea celeb are cool but nothing like the GM going up to the stage and making that pick.

Used to be so much better, when the floor was full of teams and their staff with phones in hand… Take us back please.

I was at the 22 draft in Montreal when Slade went 1st. The vibe was insane, so much hype and anticipation. Ran into Kent Hughes that September and he told me how much other teams loved the experience and were surprised by the atmosphere

Preach it loud and proud Cam!

@JDylanBurke Couldn’t agree more Cam! The old event was iconic and original, and special to this league only. Now, none of this applies

The NFL and NBA both do that why do you imply they don’t?

That Bieber announcement needs to be the nail in the coffin for this format

Kinda just seems like the only people complaining about this are all members of the media that miss the mingling and the after party where they all go out to bars and get drunk together tbh. Not even trying to be a dick.

I was vocal about this last year too. The tables, the kids getting to stand and talk to the guys that drafted them on stage and the negotiations face-to-face with other clubs. It's just more fun for everyone involved. We had it in 2014 here and it was a blast.

Do you actually sound like Jon Cooper?

i wish

So well said. There are times the leagues HAVE to listen to the media, and you nailed it spot on!

More than anything, the decentralized draft just takes wayyyy too long…

Well said Cam and spot on

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Bring it back 👍agreed 💯thanks cam

Used to be so much fun! They need to give their balls a tug and set the tone by taking it back to building a community. 😉😎

Hear hear. Bettman’s continued insistence to fix things that aren’t broken continues to befuddle me.

Hi Cam, I do not understand why under the old system those tables needed to be stacked with all those people. Like the cut away to the war rooms of the various teams this year, they looked like prison inmates waiting patiently for their dinner. Maybe it is an honor to be seated in the war room, but how many of them are really needed to make the final call. Bring back the old way and have the tables half the size with less people there and give each gm a head set to talk with whoever they need to at the back home war room. In this day and age of technology, you would think the problem of communication so that no-one is compromised with the reading of lips should be easy. Simplify the floor and let's bring it back as you said. It definately fell flat for me as it did you.

@VCanucksNews ✅

Well said Cam.

💯

Bettman needs to see this ASAP !

I would of like to see Leafs Front Office and Coaching staff call Gavin McKenna name out, nothing against the Biebs but I'd like to see the hockey people do that instead....

can buy a EP hat @Hockey_Robinson

Yeah, to hell with what the fans want, right?

Go with like a half and half. Leave scouting departments and GM at home. Just send an AGM and a player development guy to go up on stage to announce the pick.

You hit the nail right on the head!

Even sportsnets coverage was weaker than usual imo they didn’t even show Cullen, I believe it was, on stage getting his jersey. They were interviewing another player the entire time he was on stage! Like come on.

Bruh we get it, you all loved getting together and partying after the Cup final. But nobody else gives a shit, the day isn’t about you and your friends having a paid vacation basically it’s about the players and the fan base. Every year you media weirdos complain about this.

It feels like it's dragged on so long now too. Over 4.5 hours to get through the first round. Not to mention the 2nd day took over 4 hours. Ridiculous.

Facts. I agree 💯

If nostalgia were a goal, you'd be the hat trick.

And if they had ANY imagination, they could easily have it both ways. You're in a f***ing arena. There's nothing but space, you can set up a tent for each team for privacy, or give each team a luxury box. You're on hand to greet your picks and 2 GMs can meet at the popcorn stand.