When ESPN reclaimed the rights to the NHL from NBC in March 2021, many wondered how the network would approach a sport it seemed to abandon after the lockout-canceled 2004-05 season.
Two years in, the answer to that question seems to be that it’s work in progress.
ESPN received widespread criticism Monday evening for appearing to ruin a crucial result in the NHL's draft lottery—a lottery that already had fans up in arms as the Blackhawks were crowned as an unpopular winner.
As the network went to commercial break after revealing picks Nos. 4–16, host and former NHL goalie Kevin Weekes said, "And there's our first change in the order, with Columbus dropping to third. So now Anaheim or Chicago will select first overall."
The problem, however, was that the order of picks one through three were not supposed to be revealed until after the break. Weekes had, in effect, spoiled the fact that the Blue Jackets would pick third.
Quite the snafu here during ESPN's Draft Lottery broadcast. Host Kevin Weekes announces that the Columbus Blue Jackets are drafting third. pic.twitter.com/yLpJoautLo
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 9, 2023
In the aftermath of this slight anticlimax, the Blackhawks and Ducks were revealed as holding the first and second overall picks, respectively.
Needless to say, the gaffe was treated as anything but slight by NHL fans — especially with a generational prospect at stake in Connor Bedard of the Western Hockey League's Regina Pats.
Many added it to a long list of grievances against ESPN's hockey coverage.
Did Weekes accidentally say the Blue Jackets are picking third? ESPN man 😭
— x - Noah 🌵 (@NFDevils25) May 9, 2023
Some Columbus fans took the snafu as an opportunity.
@espn @NHL what the hell happened with your draft lottery coverage I think the blue jackets should get the #1 pick as compensation for our confusion.
— ellis (@savetheerf) May 9, 2023
Many were simply confused.
Is it me or did they jump the gun on @espn and tell us about the Blue Jackets #NHLDraftlottery
— Chaos Coordinator (@OhPuckMyLife) May 9, 2023
Either way, as many reporters and fans alike pointed out, the coverage was a bad look for a league that hoped for a mutually beneficial partnership with the Worldwide Leader in Sports.
ESPN just absolutely botched the NHL Draft Lottery. Man. What a horrible look for the league & the network. That is awful.
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) May 9, 2023
