Seattle still in mix for 2021 NHL draft

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly says Seattle remains in contention to host the 2021 draft despite arena construction delays. Daly told The Associated Press on Friday that the league would like to decide on the host at least a year out. Seattle officials have been hoping the city’s new arena could be the site of the league entry draft and the expansion draft as part of the lead-up to the debut of the city’s NHL franchise for the 2021-22 season. Seattle officials were hoping to have the building open by early spring 2021, but design delays and a change in general contractors has delayed the project. Mortenson, the new contractor, has been given incentives to try to have the arena ready by June 1, 2021, which would also allow it to host a full home slate for the WNBA’s Seattle Storm.