I agree that the draft system in the NHL games has been lacking realism for a while, and it feels way too predictable. The way scouts provide exact draft positions and hard potentials takes away from the uncertainty and drama that should be a part of any draft. I think your suggestions would be a huge improvement.
Scouting should be more nuanced and less specific. Instead of giving us exact potentials and fixed draft spots, scouts should provide more subjective reports, with varying degrees of certainty based on the quality of the scout. That way, there’s more room for surprises—good and bad—when it comes to selecting players. Players who are projected to go late could sometimes rise, while highly touted prospects might fall unexpectedly.
I also love the idea of external rankings like NHL.com, Central Scouting, and other agencies having their own lists, making the draft more dynamic. This would force us to make decisions on who to trust—our scouts or external rankings—and create more of the drama and uncertainty you see in real drafts.
Plus, adding hidden gems and busts in later rounds would be a game-changer. It would give scouting even more weight and make it far more rewarding when you uncover a future star. Combining all these elements would make the draft in Franchise Mode not only more realistic but also more exciting and meaningful. It's long overdue for a major overhaul.
4o
