Gary Bettman completes unexpected ruling on decentralized NHL draft

Despite another poor year in the standings, the Chicago Blackhawks managed to earn another top-3 selection in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, and used the 3rd overall pick on Swedish forward Anton Frondell.

But many Blackhawks fans and hockey fans in general didn't approve of the decentralized format of the Draft, which included several awkward moments when the newly-drafted players, many of whom didn't speak strong English, were brought into a separate room for a live video meeting with executives from their new teams.

NHL President of Content & Events Steve Mayer revealed to The Fourth Period that the 2026 NHL Entry Draft will be taking place on June 26 and 27 next summer, but that the host city hasn't been decided.

The Blackhawks are taking on a massive risk with their multi-year extension for Frank Nazar, who hasn't even played a total of 60 games in the NHL yet.

He was signed to a 7 year deal with an AAV (average annual value) of $6.59 million, and over the length of the deal will earn a higher total than what Wayne Gretzky earned in his entire career.