The 2025 NHL Draft will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles from Friday, June 27, to Saturday, June 28. You can watch the entire event across ESPN and NHL Network, with ESPN+ also streaming every round.
The New York Islanders will kick off the draft with the No. 1 pick, having won the draft lottery in May. Many mock drafts have Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer going No. 1, but others have the Islanders picking center Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit.
Keep reading to learn more about this year’s entry draft, including a complete schedule of draft events.
What channel shows the NHL Draft?
The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft will air on ESPN and ESPN+. Rounds two through seven will air on NHL Network and ESPN+ the following day.
If you have a TV plan that includes ESPN, you can stream the draft’s first round via the ESPN app. ESPN+ subscribers can also use the app to stream every round of the draft.
Pro tip: Viewers located in Canada can watch the draft’s first round on Sportsnet, while TVA Sports will provide Canadian French–language coverage.
2025 NHL Draft TV schedule
Hot off the heels of the Stanley Cup Finals, the NHL Draft will usher in the next class of NHL players at the end of June. Fans can prepare for the event by catching the NHL Draft Lottery and NHL Scouting Combine during the buildup. Both events play a role in how the draft unfolds, and you can watch most coverage live on TV.
However, coverage of the combine is mainly limited to studio programming on NHL Network.
| Event | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHL Draft Lottery | May 5, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN+, Sportsnet (Canada), TVA Sports (Canada) |
| NHL Scouting Combine | June 2–7, 2025 | Various | NHL Network |
| NHL Awards | June 12, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | TNT, Sportsnet (Canada) |
| NHL Draft: Day 1 (Round 1) | June 27, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN+ |
| NHL Draft: Day 2 (Rounds 2–7) | June 28, 2025 | Noon | NHL Network, ESPN+ |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the NHL Draft
Because the NHL Draft takes place across two days on different channels, you’ll want a TV plan that matches the rounds you want to see. Fortunately, ESPN+ will stream every draft round, meaning you don’t need a costly TV plan to tune in. With its out-of-market NHL coverage, the $11.99-a-month streaming service is already essential for hockey fans.
If you prefer to watch the draft on ESPN and NHL Network, we recommend Sling TV as the cheapest option. Its Sling Orange plan ($45.99/mo.) with the Sports Extra add-on ($11.00/mo.) is around $10.00 cheaper than any live TV streaming service. Plus, it’s an inexpensive way to watch other leagues like MLB and NBA, and you can cancel anytime.
In case you prefer a TV plan with more meat on its bones than ESPN+ or Sling TV, we’ve listed several other options in the table below.
| Provider | Type | Price | ESPN | NHL Network | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $71.00–$162.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $84.99–$164.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| Stream with DIRECTV | Streaming | $84.99–$164.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read Stream with DIRECTV review |
| DISH | Satellite | $91.99–$121.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | Streaming | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $81.99–$95.99/mo. | ✔ | — |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $30.00–$160.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | Streaming | $28.00/mo. | — | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $45.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$105.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | — |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
How to watch the NHL Draft for free
You can stream the NHL Draft without paying a dime. All it takes is signing up for a free trial to a live TV streaming service that carries ESPN and NHL Network.
While not every live TV streaming service offers a free trial, Fubo and YouTube TV are consistent options. We find Fubo’s seven-day free trial particularly ideal, as it’s easy to sign up and includes both draft channels. Just remember to cancel before the trial period ends.
What is the NHL Draft?
The annual NHL Entry Draft is an event where NHL teams take turns selecting the playing rights of eligible hockey players. The draft eligibility guidelines are a bit wordy, but basically, North American players aged 18 to 20 and international players aged 18 or older can enter the draft.
Like the NFL Draft, the NHL Draft contains seven rounds. A combination of the previous season’s standings, the results of the NHL Draft Lottery, and draft-related trades determine the order of each round.
Not all draftees make the cut. Because team rosters feature up to 23 active players, draftees must prove themselves during the NHL preseason. But it’s always exciting to see a drafted player make a splash on the big stage.
How to watch the NHL Draft FAQ
Can I stream the NHL Draft?
Where will the NHL Draft be in 2025?
Why you should trust us
Our sports experts researched the best ways to watch the NHL Draft by examining the channel lineups and pricing of the most popular TV providers. We based our viewing recommendations around this year’s draft channels and focused on provider pricing and ease of use.
Visit our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
