The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) have reached an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which will take effect starting with the 2026-27 NHL season, pending ratification. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by both parties, and the deal now awaits approval from league owners and the full PA membership.
The current CBA is set to expire at the end of this coming season. The new extension will commence with the 2026-27 NHL season and extend through 2030. The existing CBA was initially signed in 2013 and later extended in 2020.
While detailed information about the new CBA has not been released, several media reports suggest some expected changes:
– Transitioning from an 82-game regular season schedule to an 84-game schedule starting in 2026-27, along with a reduction of the preseason to four games per team.
– Players with over 100 career games played will be allowed to participate in a maximum of two preseason games.
– Two additional games will be scheduled within divisions, ensuring each team plays divisional opponents four times rather than three.
– New contracts for re-signing players at their current club will be capped at seven years, while contracts with a new club will be limited to six years. Previously, clubs could offer eight-year deals for re-signings and seven-year deals for new signings.
– Deferred salary options in contracts will no longer be available.
– Signing bonuses are capped at 60 percent of a player’s total salary.
A notable change includes the introduction of a ‘full-time’ Emergency Backup Goalie position. This role will involve traveling and practicing regularly with an NHL club, eliminating amateur participation in emergency situations.
Additionally, there are planned increases in the salary cap from $95.5 million to $104 million and then $113 million. The agreement also eliminates player dress codes for arriving at or leaving games.
More details on the CBA can be found elsewhere as further updates become available.
