• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

The NHL Draft Will Have a Whole New Look. Plus: Sharks Are on the Clock

  • Boston University prospect Macklin Celebrini is the likely top pick by San Jose.
  • The draft will mark the first live sporting event at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
NHL

The 2024 NHL draft is shaping up to be a monumental event for the league and at least one team in particular.

After finishing with the worst record in the NHL, the Sharks won Tuesday night’s lottery, earning the No. 1 selection in next month’s draft and the right to choose consensus top pick Macklin Celebrini, a 17-year-old center from Boston University. “I would think so,” San Jose general manager Mike Grier said when asked whether his mind is already made up about choosing Celebrini. “When you put it all together, we think he’s in a good spot [to be NHL-ready].” This is the first No. 1 pick in franchise history, and the Sharks also have the No. 14 pick in the first round.

San Jose was 30th out of the NHL’s 32 teams in total attendance during the regular season, so the franchise will no doubt be hoping for a Connor Bedard–like impact that the Blackhawks saw with last year’s No. 1 pick. After winning the 2023 draft lottery and the right to select what many dubbed the best prospect in years, Chicago sold $5.2 million worth of season tickets in less than 24 hours. And despite finishing the season with the NHL’s second-worst record (and eventually the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft), the Blackhawks drew the fifth-most fans in the league, up from a ranking of 20th during the ’22–23 season.

Sports Meet the Sphere

Celebrini’s eventual selection by the Sharks will make history as it begins the draft, which will be the first sporting event at the Sphere in Las Vegas on June 28–29. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman officially confirmed the draft’s location Tuesday night on ESPN, although the move had been seen as a done deal for months. “Not a very well-kept secret,” Bettman admitted.

The draft will also mark the first event televised live from the $2.8 billion venue that seats 18,600 people. After the NHL’s festivities, sports will return to the Sphere in September, when the UFC will host a fight.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 23, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Enterprise Center

Cooley Signing Adds to Utah’s Pursuit of Early NHL Success

In its second season, Utah is committed to winning as fast as possible.

Mavericks Accuse Stars of Holding Dallas Arena ‘Hostage’ in Lawsuit

The NBA team seized control of a joint company operating the American Airlines Center.
Capitals

Capitals Fire Assistant Coach After Domestic Abuse Investigation

Assault and abuse cases are defining the start of the NHL season.

Sports Equinox 2025 Shows How Fragmented Sports TV Has Become

Multiple streaming services are needed to watch Monday’s games.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
Terry Rozier

NBA Union Says It Will Fight Decision to Withhold Rozier’s Pay

Rozier has one year and $26.3 million left on his contract.
Oct 24, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) looks on against Nashville SC during the first half at Chase Stadium.
October 28, 2025

Lionel Messi: MLS Can’t Grow Without More Spending Power

The Inter Miami star recently signed a contract extension through 2028.
October 28, 2025

WNBA Proposes 30-Day Extension on CBA Negotiations

The CBA expires Oct. 31; a deal is not expected by then.
Sponsored

Why Alexis Ohanian Is Betting Big on Women’s Sports

Alexis Ohanian reflects on his evolution from Reddit cofounder to one of today’s most dynamic sports investors.
Napheesa Collier
October 28, 2025

WNBA, Players Remain Far Apart With CBA Deadline Days Away 

A union lawyer says a deal will not be reached by Friday.
Alexis Ohanian
October 28, 2025

Alexis Ohanian: Angel City Ownership Setup Was a ‘Terrible Idea’

He admits that the NWSL club’s governance was a disaster.
October 28, 2025

Shohei Ohtani’s Historic World Series Game 3 Sets Up High-Stakes Game 4

Ohtani will start Game 4 on the mound after another epic performance Monday.
Oct 26, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; The 2025 World Series logo on the field at Dodger Stadium.
October 27, 2025

Dodger Stadium Games Could Push MLB Payouts to Record Highs

The Dodgers’ big ballpark and ticket prices help fuel postseason player pay.