Ready For Prime Time?

NHL Draft moving to two days.

Unless you're a kid who is projected to be going somewhere between the first and second rounds, I can't say that I find this idea all that bad. Those guys are going to have to bring two suits to the party and could end up having their anguish extended. But there are worse things life to go through. The only drawback to the Joe Six-pack fan is that this gives the GM's and others all the more reason to extend the first round so don't make too many plans for that night if you plan on watching.

I agree completely with the thoughts of Caps GM George McPhee who feels that they are there to conduct business. Notice that McPhee does not thank the fans both in the arena and back at home at the team's draft day party, the host city, congratulate the Stanley Cup Champion, mention some of the team's current players, some of the team's former players, read names out of the local phone book, yadda, yadda, yadda before FINALLY getting around to NHL Draft moving to two days.

Unless you're a kid who is rated as going somewhere between the first and second rounds, I can't say that I find this idea all that bad. Those guys are going to have to bring two suits to the party and could end up having their anguish extended. But there are worse things in life to go through. The only drawback to the Joe Six-pack fan is that this gives the GM's and others all the more reason to extend the first round; so don't make too many plans for that night if you plan on watching.

I agree completely with the thoughts of Caps GM George McPhee who feels that they are there to conduct business. Notice that McPhee does not thank the fans both in the arena and back at home at the team's draft day party, the host city, congratulate the Stanley Cup Champion, mention some of the team's current players, some of the team's former players, read names out of the local phone book, yadda, yadda, yadda before FINALLY getting around to announcing the pick. McPhee just goes up there, steps up to the microphone and says "with the "X" pick the Washington Capitals select (insert player name here) from (insert player's team and league here)." And is off for the Photo Op with the kid. Quick, simple, efficient, and classy.

After attending the 2004 Draft in Carolina, I was amazed as to how quickly the pace picked up once the cameras were off and the parade to the poduim was no longer taking place.

UPDATE/CORRECTION: It has been pointed out to me that the NHL Draft has been a two-day affair, mostly since 2000. From what I've been able to find, this will be the first time the draft has been conducted where only the first round is held on Day one. But I will say that I did not watch last year because of work committments and I am not likely to waste my time watching again this year.