Remember how much fun the 2024 NHL Draft at the Sphere was?

The NHL has never hosted a more interesting event in its history, and it was an absolute shame to see the league opt for a smaller, decentralized process for 2025. With all due respect to the Peacock Theater, it just felt like a major letdown after the spectacle that was 2024. You truly had to be there to understand how incredible the video projections were. Cameras didn’t do it justice.

The expectation is that the 2026 draft will stick with the decentralized theme, meaning teams will remain at home and conduct their selections from the comfort of their own war rooms. That’s fine – that means we don’t need these massive stadiums to host drafts anymore.

But if that’s the route the league wants to go, it’s time to go all out. Don’t bring the draft back to another arena or theater. We need somewhere awe-inspiring – something that will bring the buzz back to the draft. The 2024 NHL Draft was special. 2025? It lacked the elation of everyone involved.

So, let’s spice things up. As we await news on the next NHL Draft, here’s a look at seven fun locations that would bring the spotlight back to the NHL:

Aircraft Carrier

We’ve seen plenty of college basketball games take place on air bases, including in Germany, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Japan and the United States. It’s time to do something fun on the ice hockey side of things. Imagine having a flyover just before the first player’s name is called, sort of like at the start of a NASCAR race. There are numerous active ships across the United States, as well as a number of decommissioned ones that could serve perfectly for this use. You’d have to cut down on the number of people in attendance, for sure. But it would at least dominate the sports headlines for a few days, which the NHL could always benefit from.

Banff National Park, Alberta

When searching top places to visit in Canada, Banff National Park is usually near the top of any list. It’s hard to disagree, thanks to the beautiful landscapes, the stunning mountains, and breathtaking views of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. It’s picturesque, and the NHL would be doing itself wonders by driving a few hours out from Edmonton to witness its beauty. It has always felt like a perfect location to hold an outdoor game, but the NHL Draft would be a perfect substitute. You can have a stage built along the water, allowing for some incredible video we’ve never seen on a draft broadcast before. At the very least, the league could host events at the Fairmont Banff Springs – often regarded as one of the most incredible hotels in Canada. There wouldn’t be a single person against this idea. Trust me.

Central Park, New York

Logistically, shutting down one of New York’s biggest attractions for a two-day draft might be difficult. But just think about the possibility of having fans surround the stage and making this a truly open event to everyone in one of the world’s biggest hockey markets. They can even do some cool thing with the Central Park Zoo to help promote animal activism if they want. Most of the draft concepts are in more closed settings, but this could be an opportunity to make the draft feel so much more special. The weather would be a big issue here, but you could at least make it so the players are covered in the stage area. Either way, there’s so much beautiful scenery to surround yourself with, and if anything goes wrong, the Avengers won’t be too far away.

Cruise Ship

*Royal Caribbean International/Facebook*

This one is my personal favorite. When you’re on a cruise, you’re partying 24/7. And the draft should be a party, given it’s one of the most important moments any player will ever be part of in their career. You could line the deck with fans and family and have players getting selected come down the water slide to receive their new jersey. There wouldn’t be many opportunities for the teams to stay, so they would probably have to work remotely. But at least everyone on board would have a great time. And it would be fun watching the players roll up to the Bahamas just as their name is called. And, hey – the NHL wouldn’t need to cater the food, either. It’s all right there, nonstop. I simply don’t see how this wouldn’t work. Let’s make this happen.

Niagara Falls, Ontario

While polling NHL prospects over the past year, many picked Niagara Falls. I get it – it’s one of the premier tourist destinations in North America. The falls themselves are breathtaking, and it’s hard not to fall in love with the idea of them serving as the backdrop for the draft itself. If you want to get extra bold, have the first overall pick walk the tightrope over the falls. They also look beautiful lit up at night, which would add to the allure. Plus, it’s not far from two major hockey markets in Buffalo and Toronto – can’t go wrong there.

Universal Studios Backlot, Hollywood, California

Want a made-for-television moment? How about holding the draft at one of the biggest filming locations in all of Hollywood? Numerous famous big-screen moments have been filmed on the many stages at Universal Studios, including Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Batman Returns, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. You could have a player dressed as the Hulk coming out of Stage 4, another player getting eaten by a T-Rex on Stage 27 and have a stickhandling competition on the set of America’s Got Talent on Stage 23.

Walt Disney World, Florida

*(Britt Kennerly/FLORIDA TODAY/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)*

You could do Disneyland here, too. But given that the state of Florida has produced numerous Stanley Cup winners over the past decade, it only seems fitting to do it in Lake Buena Vista. Disney World doesn’t need any introduction, but just imagine having Cinderella Castle as the backdrop as players’ dreams become realized. They call it “The Most Magical Place on Earth” for a reason, and that would tie in perfectly with the NHL’s marketing of the event. You could even have Disney characters come up to the podium to announce the picks. Would it be a bit hokey? Absolutely. Would it be amazing regardless? You bet. You can even end the night with fireworks – a nightly staple of Magic Kingdom. We saw how much buzz Roger McQueen’s visit to Disney Land garnered back in June. Let’s do it again, but on a bigger scale.

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