Greg WyshynskiJul 8, 2025, 12:51 PM ET
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Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL author.
The NHL Board of Governors and NHLPA’s full membership have each ratified the brand new Collective Bargaining Settlement, which begins in 2026-27 and runs via the 2029-30 season.
Whereas the total particulars of the brand new CBA received’t be launched to the general public till a later date, sources confirmed to ESPN that the brand new CBA will embrace an 84-game common season — up from 82 — in addition to shortened max-term contracts.
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The 2 sides agreed to the brand new CBA in late June, forward of the NHL draft in Los Angeles. The gamers voted to ratify the settlement over the weekend.
“The partnership between the Players’ Association and the League is stronger than it ever has been and working together under this agreement presents a fantastic opportunity to continue to grow the game,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated in an announcement. “We are grateful to the board of governors for its support of this agreement that strengthens our game and ensures we are collectively delivering a great fan experience in the years to come.”
The brand new CBA follows a 10-year settlement signed in 2013 after which prolonged in 2020. NHLPA govt director Marty Walsh stated final month that the gamers most popular a shorter time period as a result of the NHL is at all times evolving.
“We had some players that came into this league under the last agreement and retired from the league under the last agreement,” Walsh stated. “They never had a chance to really express their collective bargaining opinions or rights. Because generations of players change.”
Sources confirmed to ESPN that the CBA will embrace:
An 84-game common season, together with a shortened preseason;
Shortened max-term contracts, capped at seven years for a participant re-signing together with his membership and 6 years in the event that they signal with one other group;
Everlasting emergency backup goaltenders for groups;
Adjustments to long-term injured reserve guidelines that embrace a postseason wage cap on the overall salaries of the energetic gamers in any given playoff sport;
Elimination of participant costume codes on sport days;
Standardization of draft rights expiring when a participant is 22 years previous;
Rising minimal NHL salaries;
Elimination of deferred funds in contracts;
Extension of the NHL’s dedication to Olympic participation via 2030.
The CBA talks between the homeowners and gamers had been the smoothest of Bettman’s tenure as commissioner, which started in 1993. He credited that to Walsh, the previous U.S. Secretary of Labor and Mayor of Boston who joined the NHLPA in 2023.
“It’s completely refreshing. It’s completely different than any of the previous experiences I’ve had so far,” Bettman stated.
“This CBA shows what can be accomplished when the NHL and the union work together — an agreement that will allow for the continued worldwide growth of the game,” Walsh added. “That is a win for everyone.”
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan contributed to this report.
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