NHL, Players Association Near CBA Deal Extending Season to 84 Games

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association are close to finalizing a four-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement, which would run through 2030 and expand the regular season from 82 to 84 games. The new deal is expected to shorten the maximum length of player contracts, reducing re-signing terms from eight to seven years and free agency contracts from seven to six years, while also eliminating deferred salary structures. A significant addition is the introduction of a salary cap for the postseason to prevent teams from exceeding the cap using long-term injured reserve rules, a tactic previously used by teams like Chicago, Tampa Bay, and Vegas. The extension would also reduce preseason games from six to four and introduce a full-time emergency backup goalie role to replace the current part-time system. These changes are aimed at providing extended labor peace in a league with a history of work stoppages, and the announcement could come as early as the NHL draft in Los Angeles. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh have indicated a swift resolution to negotiations is imminent.