🗺️ LA Unrest vs. Anaheim Stability
Public sentiment is shifting fast: many LA residents are openly voicing frustration with city leadership. A surge of online support emerged when former President Donald Trump called for the National Guard to be deployed, with several units now assisting in restoring order across key zones.
View the map above to see the proximity of the former LA riots to the Peacock Theater (red circle), contrasted with Anaheim’s relative calm and security. This map highlights the density of demonstrations, traffic disruptions, and police activity zones within central LA. Anaheim, located just 30 miles southeast, has remained largely unaffected—making it a safer and more controlled environment for the NHL and its guests.
🏒 NHL Draft in Limbo: Anaheim Could Replace LA as Host City
The 2025 NHL Draft was scheduled to be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 27–28. However, ongoing protests and civil unrest in downtown LA are forcing the league to consider alternate plans. While the 32 NHL teams will not be physically present under the new draft format, top prospects and fans are still expected to travel to the area—raising concerns about security and logistics.
⚠️ Draft Uncertainty: Virtual or Anaheim?
According to NHL insider Renaud Lavoie, the league is now evaluating multiple options behind the scenes:
- ✅ Proceeding with the event in LA as scheduled
- 🖥️ Shifting to a **virtual-only format**
- 📍 Relocating the event to another city—likely Anaheim
“If they decide to do the event elsewhere, I would say that they should make the decision within the next 72 hours at most,” said Lavoie, emphasizing the league's need for rapid clarity.
📉 California Leadership & Event Chaos
Critics say this isn’t just about a hockey event—it’s another example of California’s mismanagement under Governor Gavin Newsom and LA’s local leadership:
- 🚨 Protests and encampments continue to paralyze major LA corridors, from City Hall to university campuses.
- 🏙️ Over 71,000 people are unhoused in LA County, making it the largest homeless population in the U.S. (2024 data).
- 🕒 LAPD response times have hit 4-year highs, even for emergency calls.
- 📊 A recent UC Berkeley poll shows 68% of Californians think the state is heading in the wrong direction, citing cost of living, crime, and poor leadership.
📍 Why Anaheim Makes Sense
Should the draft move, the Honda Center in Anaheim is the most likely backup. Here’s why:
- Availability: It’s open and ready to host a nationally televised event.
- Security: Smaller, more controlled venue with fewer protest hotspots.
- Convenience: Close to NHL facilities and easy airport access.
📆 What Happens Next?
The NHL is expected to announce a final decision imminently—possibly within the next 72 hours. Whether the event stays in LA, goes virtual, or moves to Anaheim, it’s clear that the instability of California’s urban centers continues to create ripple effects far beyond politics.