As the NHL and NHL Players’ Association work toward a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed that negotiations remain “primary and ongoing“ following the Board of Governors meeting. While there’s no formal ratification yet, both sides are reportedly making solid progress toward a deal .
The current CBA, last extended in 2020, is set to expire on September 15, 2026, and both the league and players began formal discussions in April. Bettman emphasized that any agreement reached now would still need to pass through ratification from both the Governors and the players union .
According to Bettman, the update presented to the Board of Governors was “quite extensive“, covering both process and substance, though he declined to disclose specific negotiation terms .
What’s next in the CBA process?
Bettman noted that while an agreement may involve a handshake between the league and the NHLPA, it would still require formal ratification: “If in fact at some point we reach an understanding with the Players’ Association, have a handshake, then (the new CBA) would be subject to ratification by the Governors and by the players,” he said, according to NHL.com.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman presents Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers with the Stanley Cup after the Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in Game Six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
He also highlighted the positive dynamic between himself and NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh, calling their relationship “constructive, professional”, and described the tone of negotiations as “trending positive” .
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What could be included in the new CBA?
Though no official details are public yet, a report by DailyOff.com outlines several potential changes under consideration:
| Potential CBA Changes | Summary |
|---|---|
| 84-game regular season | Set to begin in 2026–27, with a shortened preseason |
| Contract term limits | 7 years for re-sign extensions, 6 years for free agents |
| Cap tightening measures | Adjustments to LTIR, playoff bonuses, contractor transparency |
| Player benefits | Health coverage improvements, EBUG enhancements, tax clarifications |
| Salary cap roadmap | Upper limits scheduled at $95.5 M, $104 M, and $113 M over next 2–3 seasons |
These reforms aim to balance player welfare, competitive fairness, and cap stability.
When could the new NHL CBA be finalized?
The league and NHLPA are reportedly preparing to announce the framework of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement as early as Friday, pending final reviews and ratification by both parties. Both the NHL and NHLPA appear focused on resolving the remaining details to ensure continued labor stability and long-term growth for the game.
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