Reflecting on this weekend’s NHL Draft hosted by the Buffalo Sabres, it was another installment of being decentralized in the host city. None of the front office executives for the Colorado Avalanche or any other team were present at the KeyBank Center.

Why should it be centralized again?

What made the NHL Draft special was seeing the likes of Joe Sakic and Chris MacFarland conversing on the floor. It also allowed the draftees to meet with the front office face-to-face and enrich the experience further. It’d be better than just sitting in the locker room back at Ball Arena.

The draftees could likely get a better experience overall, whether drafted in the first round or in the seventh round. Being decentralized takes away some of the experience that the NHL Draft could be.

In the interest of time, a centralized draft again could theoretically go quicker. Front office staff, like event staff and media members, would be tired and wanting to get the event done and over with as the later rounds dragged on.

While the festivities of the first round have always been part of it, a quicker experience with the draft being centralized could help speed things up. It’s a stretch, but a possibility.

Finally, it would not only enrich the draftee experience but the fan experience as well. As observed this weekend, the hype was all around Gavin McKenna being drafted first overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Outside of that, the fans weren’t all that involved – especially on Saturday during rounds two through seven when the building had only a few thousand people in it.

Having front office staff there for the fans to watch on the floor might’ve piqued people’s interest. Plus, they could’ve had the opportunity to speak with them or snag a picture or autograph. While difficult, it would add another level to the fan experience.

Why should it remain decentralized?

Speaking of the festivities, they might be able to take place more because the draft is decentralized. Front office staff might not want to be involved and take part in the craziness of the events.

They might’ve felt uncomfortable with Justin Bieber announcing McKenna to the Leafs. But at the same time, the draft being decentralized allowed that opportunity to take place.

While unlikely, it could play a part in it. Of course, the major argument will be the cost-saving measure of not flying everybody out to the host city.

Finally, it can lead to unique experiences that we’ve seen in the past. Hosting at different places away from hockey arenas, such as The Sphere in Las Vegas, might just be too cool to pass up.

This allows the NHL to be creative about where it might want the draft to take place down the line. There are plenty of arguments for both, but seeing the experience with my own eyes this weekend shows that either a centralized or decentralized draft is possible. However, while fans might want it one way, the league might do it the other for the foreseeable future.