The Sabres will once again host the NHL draft, though it’s going to look quite a bit different than it did the last time the event rolled through town.
Despite some rumblings that last year’s decentralized format wasn’t going to last long, teams voted to keep the draft decentralized for at least one more year. That means the version of the draft coming through Buffalo will be a much different affair than we saw in 2016. There won’t be rows of team tables packed with scouts and executives filling the arena floor. In fact, the event may not even be held at KeyBank Center.
After last year’s draft was hosted at the Peacock Theater in LA, I’m not ruling out an alternative location when the show comes to Buffalo. Shea’s is an obvious choice. The theater appears to be open the final weekend of June, which is when you can expect the draft to be hosted. Without the need for expansive floor space to accommodate each team, the league and hosts can get creative in the theater, which is probably a better fit in terms of capacity. And the ornate theater would offer a nice alternative for those unfamiliar with Buffalo’s non-sporting offerings. Shea’s would line up with the use of the Peacock Theater last year and would introduce a trend of hosting the event in unique locations for as long as the draft remains decentralized.
Another location I thought may garner interest would be Canalside. It’s not a stranger to hosting large events and the immediate proximity to the arena and Harborcenter is a definite benefit. However, construction on Marine Drive has begun, work on the North Aud Block is expected to begin soon and Heritage Point still looks like an active construction site. I’m not sure that excavators, cranes and concrete are the sort of backdrop the league and Sabres have in mind for the draft. Rain would also be a threat if the event was outdoors. A couple of other darkhorse, non-KeyBank venues to keep in mind: Harborcenter, Terminal B.
I still have a gut feeling the draft will wind up at KeyBank Center. Pete Guelli has been outspoken about his desire to bring more events to the arena so it remains an active venue for a larger portion of the calendar. The draft checks that box. Capacity is problematic, however. Without the team tables, floor seating would be an option at KeyBank. The league could also toy with a more unique stage design. Or location. Thoughts on the NHL draft in the round?
The issue would lie with the number of people in attendance. The building felt cavernous in 2016 and that was with the floor filled with teams. What will it look like if the only people there are prospects, fans and media? One benefit of using floor seating would be putting the draft prospects close to the stage, which would cut down on the long walks that plagued last year’s event. The drawback to that would be the loss of prospects and spectators being intermingled in the stands, which is a great feature of the NHL draft. Other reasons I’m leaning to the arena: infrastructure, concessions and merchandise space. I can’t imagine the NHL and the Sabres want to be limited in what other revenue they can generate at the event. In addition, the backstage space at the arena is built for an event of this magnitude.
Whether the event is at Shea’s, KeyBank Center or another Buffalo venue, I won’t be dissuaded from attending. And neither should you. If you haven’t been to a draft before, I highly recommend it. It’s a fun event and depending where you sit, you’ll be up close and personal to the prospects. If you have young kids, it makes for a good opportunity to snag some autographs. Things can drag as the first round wraps up, but it makes for a fun night. The other benefit? You get to take a year off from any of the frustrating or awkward aspects of the TV production (unless they bring back that infernal draft house feature) since you’re watching in person. Buffalo isn’t always top of mind for prestige league events, so don’t miss your chance to catch this one.
Two in the Box 