The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations are deeply underway between the National Hockey League (NHL) and the players’ association. It seems that all signs are positive that the deal will get done quick and easy. However, as of now, it isn’t quite done, so let’s bring all the major details, including what has already been decided.
Mentioned in today's news that new CBA will have more stringent contracts for players. Here's one:
Signing bonus money will now be limited to 60% ceiling.
Example: If AAV on deal is $10m, max SB in any one year is $6m. It used to be everything minus league minimum salary was… https://t.co/UzGB7q5jjN
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 26, 2025
The NHL’s CBA Negotiations Continue Until Friday
The current CBA expires on September 15, 2026, and these negotiations are aiming at a four-year extension. One quick topic that has been confirmed is the length of the regular season. The NHL will now play an 84-game regular season. Furthermore, this will be offset by the exhibition being shortened. That is currently between six or eight games for the teams. Now, it will be shortened to four. The idea is this change could go into effect by 2026-27.
Taking Care of Business
It seems like an interesting decision. The more games players play in the regular season, you’d think the less they’d be available for exhibition competitions. That would include items like a potential World Cup (the next planned for 2028) or more frequent, the World Championships. In contrast, more regular season games is a great way to boost the bottom-line revenue. Potentially, it would allow for more inter-divisional matchups, something the current schedule does limit somewhat. Alternatively, it would allow for more out-of-conference games. Then fans of the Ottawa Senators would have a slightly higher chance of seeing Connor McDavid play at the Canadian Tire Centre. Just saying.
There are a couple of smaller topics being discussed and agreed upon as well. The sometimes contentious issue of the emergency backup goalie has a change. Now, the EBUG will become more of a permanent fixture. The expectation is that they will practice and travel with the NHL club. Another is that the draft rights for players will be until they are 22 years of age.
The Biggest Part of the NHL CBA
The biggest news seems to revolve around player’s salary structure or conditions. There will no longer be deferred-salary contracts. Also, they are dropping the maximum length for contracts. Right now, it is seven years for a free agent, but if he was a free agent you are re-signing, you could do the extra year. That is why we have heard recent chatter on a potential Mitch Marner sign-and-trade scenario happening. Anyway, now, those lengths will drop to six and seven years, respectively.
One more on the contracts, is that they will be tougher on players. The rule is that a signing bonus on a contract, will now be 60% of the ceiling. In other words, if your average annual value on a deal is $5 million, the most you can earn in signing bonus allocation, in any one year, is 60% or $3 million. Previously, it took the total of a year’s salary and subtracted the league minimum.
One Last Issue and Its Expansion
For anyone wondering, Bill Daly had this to say himself:
“in terms of the expressions of interest, but there’s nothing new. We have no pending applications and we’re not seeking to initiate a formal process at this point.”
Therefore, we can kind of take it as, the NHL is not expanding. The increased length of schedule may have been an indicator is was possibly, but it doesn’t appear to be, yet.
At the end of the day today, Pierre LeBrun left us with a little tidbit. He suggested that there is still one issue being worked through between the two sides. However, he didn’t reveal specifically what the issue was that is holding us up. He does think it will be completed prior to a Friday press conference, that will be before the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. So, that’s excellent, and stay tuned until then.
One key issue left still for NHL/NHLPA to figure out before finalizing the framework for the four-year CBA extension. Both sides will continue to talk tonight to push it across finish line and resolve that last issue. The prevailing mood is that it will get done in time for the…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 26, 2025
Main Photo Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
