It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re just days away from the NHL Global Series games Friday and Saturday in Prague. The Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils are set to square off in a pair of regular season games. However, thoughts are already going to the future. It’s not just executives planning for beyond this season. League executives and the NHL Players Association are already getting ready for the next round of contract talks. This edition of NHL rumours looks at what’s ahead for the next collective bargaining agreement.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
League to Take Up CBA Talks in 2025
Rumour: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun said the NHL will start negotiating for the next CBA after January 1, 2025. This was mentioned at the current Board of Governors meeting that are taking place in New York. LeBrun points out that the current labour agreement runs out in September 2026.
Are we looking at NHL labor peace?
In my latest for @TheAthletic,
CBA talks, cap estimate, expansion, McDavid extension and more Rumblings from the Board of Governors meeting in NYC ⤵️ https://t.co/dWDMoPoXD3— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 2, 2024
Analysis: It seems to be a good sing that the league is being proactive in achieving a new labour deal. Gone are the days of the league and the NHLPA trying to play a game of chicken that would squander plenty of goodwill. Contract talks can be hard, but this seems like good news.
Labour Armageddon would be a bad thing for a league that’s starting to gain some traction. However, one can never tell how talks will go.
The league seemingly wants to get the next CBA wrapped up before the current one expires. This seems to be a good sign that talks are set to take place at the turn of the year.
LeBrun even points out there have been some preliminary discussions between the two sides. It looks like the era of intense negotiations are dead and buried.
More Meaningful Games
Some of the items mentioned are reducing the preseason and extending the regular season. NHLPA said it would like two less exhibition games, but there would be an 84-game regular season.
The preseason is important to evaluate talent, but leagues like the NFL have cut down on exhibition games. We’ve seen a multitude of injuries this preseason and seeing players go out in seemingly meaningless games is hard to see. However, the preseason period is needed.
Names like Patrik Laine, Artemi Panarin, William Nylander, Macklin Celebrini and others have suffered injuries this preseason. Fans are understandably frustrated seeing these injuries happen, but the next CBA may take care of it.
Good Vibes
We know not to speculate on how labour talks will go. However, Commissioner Gary Bettman is hopeful and said “if we had it done by my media avail at the Stanley Cup Final, everybody would be very happy,”
Some may think it’s the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, but Bettman means the upcoming 2025 Final. It would be a sight to see if a labour deal got done over a year ahead of time. However, fans are likely to be a bit hesitant.
We’ve seen lockouts wipe out the entire 2004-05 season and part of the 2012-13 campaign. However, the tone being set seems to be a positive one.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
