NHL Draft in jeopardy due to ongoing civil unrest and protests in Los Angeles

Los Angeles spent the night under curfew in an effort to quell five days of unrest with many protests against President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration raids still going on. With the NHL Draft just over two weeks away, in just 16 days, insider Frank Seravalli reports that the league is closely monitoring the situation, seeing that it could have a significant impact on the Draft, who is hosted in Los Angeles.

“The NHK is closely monitoring the ongoing civil unrest and protests in Los Angeles, which is set to host the NHL Draft in just 16 days.

“Peacock Theater and LA Live are both within the current designated curfew boundary which restricts activity and movement from 8pm-6am.”

On June 27, the NHL will host its first ever decentralized draft, similar to the NFL and NBA’s drafts. Teams will operate from their own buildings, but top prospects will make the trek to LA.

For now it remains the plan, however, it could change as tensions continue to escalate in the protests.

“This is the NHL’s first decentralized Draft outside of the pandemic, so teams will be located in their home markets. But the Top 100 prospects are scheduled to be in LA.”

If the Draft remains on schedule, it will be the first draft in Los Angeles since 2010.

The New York Islanders currently hold the first overall pick after winning the draft lottery with the10th best odds. The San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks and Utah Mammoth, who moved up from 14th to fourth after winning the second lottery drawing, pick next.