The NHL and NHLPA are finalizing a four-year collective bargaining agreement extension that includes an 84-game regular season and seven-year contract limits, sources confirmed to ESPN Thursday. The deal could be announced as soon as Friday ahead of the NHL draft.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman briefed the board of governors on key details during Wednesday\'s meeting in Los Angeles. The current CBA expires after the 2025-26 season, with the extension running through September 2030.
Regular Season Expansion and Schedule Changes
The move from 82 to 84 games would reduce preseason contests to four games maximum per team. Sources told ESPN that teams currently play up to eight preseason games under the existing format.
The expanded regular season maintains the current structure of teams visiting each opponent once. Divisional rivals would face each other four times every other season under the new schedule.
Contract Length Restrictions and Salary Changes
The new CBA limits player contract lengths to seven years, down from the current eight-year maximum for re-signings. Free agents would be restricted to six-year deals instead of the current seven-year limit.
The agreement also eliminates deferred salary arrangements that some teams used to reduce salary cap hits. Sources indicated this addresses a growing trend among franchises seeking cap flexibility.
Emergency Goaltender and LTIR Reforms
Revised language establishes full-time emergency backup goaltenders within organizations who can practice and travel with teams. The current system has featured accountants and Zamboni drivers appearing in NHL games during emergency situations.
Both sides discussed closing the long-term injured reserve loophole to ensure playoff salary cap compliance. The new CBA is expected to include revised LTIR language addressing this concern.
The extension brings labor stability to a league that experienced three lockouts over the past 20 years. NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh, who assumed the role in 2023, conducted extensive player consultations before negotiations with Bettman began this year.