Report: NHL finally makes a decision on the fate of the 2021 Draft

According to a report from TSN insider Darren Dreger, the NHL has finally made a decision on the fate of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft electing to keep the draft in July as originally scheduled. There was some belief that the 2021 Draft might have been moved to January 2022 or to the summer of 2022 ahead of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Check it out:

Interesting. I have to say, I really feel for anyone trying to get an accurate read on this year's draft eligible players. I mean... a huge portion of the draft class isn't even playing this season! And if they are, it's not like you can just pop into the rink to watch them. Everything has to be done via video and, while that's great given the circumstances this year, it's certainly not ideal.

I feel most for the kids though. Imagine working your whole life to achieve your dreams and be one of the best in the world at your sport and then when your chance to finally hit the big times comes you get blindsided by something completely out of your control. And not just you, but the entire sport gets blindsided.

In any event, if there's going to be no proper CHL (WHL, OHL, QMJHL) season and if NCAA hockey and European leagues continue their stop/start campaigns I don't see how there can be a fair draft this upcoming summer. There simply isn't any way, literally, to scout draft eligible players. It would turn the NHL Entry Draft into a bit of a mockery given that it's essentially a crap shoot. Here's hoping that these junior, college and pro European leagues are able to provide scouts and talent evaluators with enough games to watch from this season. If it's not possible though, let's do the smart thing and kick the can down the road until the next summer. 

Or... here's my crazy idea: Eliminate the 2021 NHL Entry Draft entirely. Then in summer 2022 at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft you draft from that same 2021 eligible group. The players are now 19 years old in most cases, as opposed to 18 years old. From there on out, you keep the draft age at 19 permanently. Essentially leap frog the entire draft process ahead a year. Any scout will tell you just how difficult it is to project a pro from just 18 years old. An extra year of physical and mental maturity though can do wonders for a young hockey player. Thoughts?