It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re in the middle of the Stanley Cup Final, but we’re always looking forward to the future. The rumours aren’t just surrounding teams and roster moves. We often have to think about the business of the league as much as the on-ice product. Labour peace is just as important as what teams are doing to supplement their rosters.
This edition of NHL rumours deals with the latest happenings in the current collective bargaining talks.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Update on Collective Bargaining Talks Between NHL and NHLPA
Rumour: Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic offered an update on the current negotiations between the NHL and the NHLPA. LeBrun said the two sides had another round of talks on Wednesday.
NHL and NHLPA had another bargaining session here today in Florida and continue to get closer to a CBA extension. I’m told there remains a handful of issues still to get resolved. But all signs pointing to it getting done sooner than later. Could be done in time to present to…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 11, 2025
Analysis: It seems like the two sides don’t want to wait when it comes to striking a deal. Gone are the days of contentious bargaining between the two sides. We’ve seen entire seasons get wiped out by stalled labour talks. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
LeBrun mentioned that the two sides are getting closer to an extension. The current CBA expires on Sept. 15, 2026, but it doesn’t seem like things are going to go to the wire like in the past. He did say that there are a handful of issues that still need to be ironed out before finalizing a deal. However, LeBrun does think a deal could get completed by the end of the month.
The league’s Board of Governor’s meeting does take place on June 25 and getting the framework done before that meeting would be huge. Both sides don’t want to throw away the good will that they’ve built up over the last decade-plus.
Some of the issues that could be sticky points is the use of long-term injured reserve as a workaround for the salary cap. The league won’t address teams that may have an advantage with no state income tax. Teams like the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights are among the teams that do have that advantage over teams in Canadian and other markets.
What It Means
LeBrun does mention that the deal should be finished barring a major setback. One can’t predict what could create a snag in talks, but the insider doesn’t foresee anything holding up talks. Both sides had been hosting informal talks for the last few weeks, but this was one of the first official negotiating sessions.
A week ago, the league offered an update and said that talks are progressing well. The league pretty much extended the agreement that was first ratified in 2013. This extension was reached in 2020 with the Sept. 2026 expiration date.
Both sides didn’t offer a timeline for an announcement of a deal. However, talks have been constant according to NHLPA assistant executive director Ron Hainsey.
These are also the first CBA talks with Marty Walsh as the head of the NHL Players’ Association. He took over from Donald Fehr in 2023, but it seems like talks are moving along.
Main photo by: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images
