Fansided

Chicago set to host 2017 NHL Draft

By Robert Molnar

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view of the complete draft board after the completion of the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view of the complete draft board after the completion of the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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One of the biggest events in the National Hockey League now has it’s next host for the 2017 NHL Draft.

Establishing themselves as one of the prime hockey cities in North America, the city of Chicago has proven its loyal hockey culture through its support of the Chicago Blackhawks. This support and culture has not gone unnoticed as according to the Chicago Sun-Times, the National Hockey League will announce that Chicago will be the host city for the 2017 NHL Draft.

The announcement is expected to happen this afternoon in a press conference held by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, Blackhawks president John McDonough and owner Rocky Wirtz. This will be the first NHL Draft hosted by the city of Chicago with the United Center – the Blackhawks home arena – serving as the host site.

While drafting prospects that most teams may not see for one-to-two years, the NHL Draft has become famous for the wheeling and dealing that takes place with all 30 NHL general managers being hosted under the same roof. During the 2015 NHL Draft, a total of 27 trades were completed and included players such as David Legwand, Milan Lucic and Anti Niemi.

Past drafts have seen star players also be traded thanks to how close the draft takes place to the beginning of free agency. With teams afraid of losing players for nothing, trading expiring contracts for draft picks has become the norm for almost every NHL Draft.

Also reporting the news that the NHL and the city of Chicago will announce the city as the host of the 2017 NHL Draft is ESPN’s Pierre Lebrun.

Though an official date in not officially known, many fans looking to attend the draft can plan for a late June date. The 2016 NHL Draft will be held this June in Buffalo, New York and will be hosted on both NBCSN and the NHL Network.

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