The Decentralized draft didn’t save teams money, but there are other reasons to keep it that way

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast – The Mid Summer Check In episode – on one of the main reasons why they are continuing with a decentralized draft for 2026.

** NHLRumors.com transcription

Bukauskas: “Okay, how about any surprise on the vote amongst the teams to continue a decentralized draft? We’ve made our feelings on this program about how we feel about all that, but it’s going to remain that way next year.”

Friedman: “Well, it was closer. When they originally voted to decentralize it, the first time it was 26 to 6. I understand this time the vote was 20 to 12. So we just have to keep moving the line, right Kyle? Just six more next year, have to

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