The 2015 NHL draft, which will take place in Sunrise, Fla., on June 26 and 27, will be a big day not only for future stars like Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, but for NBC Sports as well.
It will mark the first year that NBC Sports Network will produce the draft exclusively for the U.S. TV audience. In previous years, the network had used the TSN feed, but TSN no longer will broadcast the draft because of the NHL’s Canadian TV rights deal with Rogers that began this season. That change has allowed NBCSN to take on production at perhaps a perfect time.
“We couldn’t have asked for it to be set up better following one of the most viewed Stanley Cup Final and playoffs ever, and with a draft class that is this highly anticipated,” said Dan Steir, senior vice president of production and senior coordinating producer at NBC Sports Group. “We have two goals: try to be as great as the TSN coverage has been, and make sure that we can document and magnify the great class of players this year.”
Steir will work alongside executive producer Sam Flood, as well as producer Mark Bellotti and director Kelly Atkinson.
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The network hopes intrigue around top picks Connor McDavid (left) and Jack Eichel will fuel viewer interest.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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NBCSN will take some cues from TSN broadcasts, perhaps no more apparent than its on-air talent. Liam McHugh and Kathryn Tappen will be the hosts, but the key analysis of the picks will be provided by two TSN veterans: Darren Dreger and Craig Button. Both will provide analysis of picks and trades, along with Pierre McGuire. Steir believes Button could be viewed as “the Mel Kiper of the NHL draft.”
The network is hoping that the intrigue around the top two picks — expected to be the highly touted McDavid, seen as the best player to join the league since Sidney Crosby, and Eichel — will prompt added anticipation. NBCSN also has a 30-minute pre-show planned for Friday night that will include a rundown of some of the top picks as well as interviews and features.
While NBC will show the entire first round Friday, the remaining six rounds selected Saturday will be seen only on NHL Network in the U.S., as has been the case in the past. Steir said NBCSN would be open to discussing the possibility of extending its coverage in future years.
“Drafts are all about creating anticipation, not only for the team that’s selecting and who is on the clock, but for the next season,” said Steir, who previously worked the NFL draft while with ESPN. “We think based on our success in growing the sport and with this particular class, this should be a great opportunity.”
