NHL/NHLPA agree to 84 game schedule starting in 26-27 season plus other changes in New CBA

[Big Guava]

Planning to announce tomorrow apparently.

Here are some pertinent details of the agreement, according to both league and union sources:

The NHL will move to 84-game regular seasons beginning in 2026-27. The preseason will be shortened, to an expected four games per team, and players with 100-plus career games played can play in a maximum of two preseason games.

Player contracts will be term limited to a maximum of seven years for players re-signing with their current club and six years for players on the free agent market. The 2025-26 season (next week’s free agency) will mark the final eight-year deals in the NHL.

A comprehensive playoff salary cap mechanism, which has many machinations to account for player acquisition, will effectively close the LTIR loophole for teams to significantly pad payroll by using injury relief space.

Signing rights to draft picks will be uniform across the board until age 22, regardless of the league prospects are picked from or which league they matriculate to next. In other words, if an 18-year-old CHL player is drafted but decided to play NCAA, a team will still hold his rights for four years.

Outlawing of player deferred salary in contracts, which previously lowered the cap hit of deals. This is one example of significantly more stringent contractual limitations that are expected to be in the new CBA for players.

One example of a new limitation: Signing bonuses will be capped at 60 percent. Previously, players could negotiate to earn everything but the league minimum salary on their contract to be paid as signing bonus for both tax and investment benefits, as well as making it essentially buyout proof. Now, if you have a $10 million cap hit, the maximum paid in signing bonus will be $6 million. Players can still earn more than the 60 percent in signing bonus, but that difference will be subject to the buyout calculation.

Revenue split will remain 50/50 between owners and players. There are not expected to be changes to the definitions of what constitutes hockey related revenue (HRR).

Significant increase in Stanley Cup playoff bonus pool fund, nearly doubling previous amount.

Establishment of ‘full-time’ Emergency Backup Goalie (EBUG) position within organizations so that amateur goalies signed out of beer league are not entering games in rare injury circumstances.

Landmark player benefit improvements (health insurance and post-playing health insurance stipends), plus movement of player payroll taxes and worker’s compensation premiums to be paid out of owner’s share.

Teams will no longer be able to mandate player dress code for arriving/departing games.

As previously announced in February, the next three seasons of the salary cap’s upper limit: $95.5 million, $104 million and $113 million.

 

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/nhl-nhlpa-framework-new-cba-announcement-friday-84-game-season-ltir

[Taro T]

1 hour ago, Big Guava said:

Planning to announce tomorrow apparently.

Here are some pertinent details of the agreement, according to both league and union sources:

The NHL will move to 84-game regular seasons beginning in 2026-27. The preseason will be shortened, to an expected four games per team, and players with 100-plus career games played can play in a maximum of two preseason games.

Player contracts will be term limited to a maximum of seven years for players re-signing with their current club and six years for players on the free agent market. The 2025-26 season (next week’s free agency) will mark the final eight-year deals in the NHL.

A comprehensive playoff salary cap mechanism, which has many machinations to account for player acquisition, will effectively close the LTIR loophole for teams to significantly pad payroll by using injury relief space.

Signing rights to draft picks will be uniform across the board until age 22, regardless of the league prospects are picked from or which league they matriculate to next. In other words, if an 18-year-old CHL player is drafted but decided to play NCAA, a team will still hold his rights for four years.

Outlawing of player deferred salary in contracts, which previously lowered the cap hit of deals. This is one example of significantly more stringent contractual limitations that are expected to be in the new CBA for players.

One example of a new limitation: Signing bonuses will be capped at 60 percent. Previously, players could negotiate to earn everything but the league minimum salary on their contract to be paid as signing bonus for both tax and investment benefits, as well as making it essentially buyout proof. Now, if you have a $10 million cap hit, the maximum paid in signing bonus will be $6 million. Players can still earn more than the 60 percent in signing bonus, but that difference will be subject to the buyout calculation.

Revenue split will remain 50/50 between owners and players. There are not expected to be changes to the definitions of what constitutes hockey related revenue (HRR).

Significant increase in Stanley Cup playoff bonus pool fund, nearly doubling previous amount.

Establishment of ‘full-time’ Emergency Backup Goalie (EBUG) position within organizations so that amateur goalies signed out of beer league are not entering games in rare injury circumstances.

Landmark player benefit improvements (health insurance and post-playing health insurance stipends), plus movement of player payroll taxes and worker’s compensation premiums to be paid out of owner’s share.

Teams will no longer be able to mandate player dress code for arriving/departing games.

As previously announced in February, the next three seasons of the salary cap’s upper limit: $95.5 million, $104 million and $113 million.

 

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/nhl-nhlpa-framework-new-cba-announcement-friday-84-game-season-ltir

Wow.  Having the next deal in place more than a full year ahead of the due date.

Did NOT see that one coming.

[shrader]

9 hours ago, Big Guava said:

 

Signing rights to draft picks will be uniform across the board until age 22, regardless of the league prospects are picked from or which league they matriculate to next. In other words, if an 18-year-old CHL player is drafted but decided to play NCAA, a team will still hold his rights for four years.

 

That part about switching to college isn’t really the important part. What’s important, if I’m reading it correctly, is that all major junior players drafted at 18 are now held for 4 years instead of just 2. That probably prevents a Hagel situation from happening… or at least makes it less likely. 

[dudacek]

15 minutes ago, shrader said:

That part about switching to college isn’t really the important part. What’s important, if I’m reading it correctly, is that all major junior players drafted at 18 are now held for 4 years instead of just 2. That probably prevents a Hagel situation from happening… or at least makes it less likely. 

Curious about how that works from the player’s perspective.

Is there a clause that requires a qualifying offer?

For example, right now Ethan Miedema is free to sign anywhere because the Sabres didn’t offer him a contract.

Under the new rule, he’s banned from pursuing NHL work elsewhere until 22?

[Taro T]

12 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Curious about how that works from the player’s perspective.

Is there a clause that requires a qualifying offer?

For example, right now Ethan Miedema is free to sign anywhere because the Sabres didn’t offer him a contract.

Under the new rule, he’s banned from pursuing NHL work elsewhere until 22?

Would be surprised if there is, but maybe.  Players that have been drafted can always play in Europe for a time if the NHL team that holds their rights doesn't want him OR if the player agent knows another team does want to sign the player the agent can help facilitate a trade.

Not seeing what is in the team's benefit to bury a player they liked enough to draft that is good enough to get signed by somebody, but maybe there's a reason.  The player thinks he deserves a bonus laden deal but the team doesn't agree, so it's actually the player holding off on a deal?  That could be 1 reason.  Expect there's a few others, but isn't the point of having a rookie wage scale to keep their share of the pie low so the other established players that have "paid their dues" get more.

Really looking forward to this new CBA becoming official to see just how these tweaks are to be implemented.

[darksabre]

Man, this league doesn't need MORE games. It needs fewer games. 

They should go back to 60 games or something. Let these guys have more gas in the tank for the playoffs and start the playoffs sooner. 

[shrader]

26 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Would be surprised if there is, but maybe.  Players that have been drafted can always play in Europe for a time if the NHL team that holds their rights doesn't want him OR if the player agent knows another team does want to sign the player the agent can help facilitate a trade.

Not seeing what is in the team's benefit to bury a player they liked enough to draft that is good enough to get signed by somebody, but maybe there's a reason.  The player thinks he deserves a bonus laden deal but the team doesn't agree, so it's actually the player holding off on a deal?  That could be 1 reason.  Expect there's a few others, but isn't the point of having a rookie wage scale to keep their share of the pie low so the other established players that have "paid their dues" get more.

Really looking forward to this new CBA becoming official to see just how these tweaks are to be implemented.

I forget the exact terminology but there always was the equivalent of a qualifying offer in there to retain drafted players' rights.  It was really more of a formality than anything, not something these guys were ever going to sign.  I'm sure that will carry over.  So there is a mechanic in there to release their rights.

[oddoublee]

16 minutes ago, darksabre said:

Man, this league doesn't need MORE games. It needs fewer games. 

They should go back to 60 games or something. Let these guys have more gas in the tank for the playoffs and start the playoffs sooner. 

Agreed. Although, I know why they are doing it...keeping a 50/50 split in revenue with players and agreeing the aggressively escalate the salary cap over 4 years...the owners wanted something in return to recoup some margin....two games helps with that from game revenue and additional streaming/tv revenue. 

Watering down an already watered down league. Modern day sports.

[Eleven]

11 hours ago, Big Guava said:

Establishment of ‘full-time’ Emergency Backup Goalie (EBUG) position within organizations so that amateur goalies signed out of beer league are not entering games in rare injury circumstances.

That's too bad. The EBUG has provided us with entertainment once in a while.

[French Collection]

Just now, oddoublee said:

Agreed. Although, I know why they are doing it...keeping a 50/50 split in revenue with players and agreeing the aggressively escalate the salary cap over 4 years...the owners wanted something in return to recoup some margin....two games helps with that from game revenue and additional streaming/tv revenue. 

Watering down an already watered down league. Modern day sports.

The effort may go from 80% to 75%.

[shrader]

40 minutes ago, Eleven said:

That's too bad. The EBUG has provided us with entertainment once in a while.

I want to know who actually fills this position.  Is it still just some beer league scrub who is guaranteed to be there every night?  I can't picture any pro signing up for a deal where they will never play unless it is someone who is already done.

[Taro T]

3 hours ago, shrader said:

I want to know who actually fills this position.  Is it still just some beer league scrub who is guaranteed to be there every night?  I can't picture any pro signing up for a deal where they will never play unless it is someone who is already done.

Expecting it'll likely be the team's top AHL netminder who will be allowed to be called up without having to reclear waivers to go back down if either NHL goalie is sick/injured.  And wouldn't be surprised if they'll be allowed to bring up as many as are injured at the NHL level.  

[That Aud Smell]

84 effing games.

funk me.

the league's running out of ways to grow revenue. adding a couple more games seems like an easy, dirty way to earn a few more bucks.

[LTS]

I'm not worried about 84 games.  Does it anticipate a league expansion where trying to divide the games played when using 82 creates a strange dynamic?

The rest sounds good.

Overall it means there is labor peace so the Sabres can continue to miss the playoffs without any time off. 🙂

[Night Train]

Way too many games. They look tired in too many contests.

Greed. Like we didn't know, 

[shrader]

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

Expecting it'll likely be the team's top AHL netminder who will be allowed to be called up without having to reclear waivers to go back down if either NHL goalie is sick/injured.  And wouldn't be surprised if they'll be allowed to bring up as many as are injured at the NHL level.  

Doesn’t that defeat the whole emergency thing though? That last second travel from where ever the farm club is, that’s a huge issue. The EBUG is someone who is always in house. They need someone there in case something happens very close to puck drop.

 

57 minutes ago, LTS said:

I'm not worried about 84 games.  Does it anticipate a league expansion where trying to divide the games played when using 82 creates a strange dynamic?

The rest sounds good.

Overall it means there is labor peace so the Sabres can continue to miss the playoffs without any time off. 🙂

84 is already intended to divide up the games more evenly.

Other conference: 2 games X 16 teams

Within division: 4 games X 7 teams

Rest of your conference: 3 games X 8 teams

 

That all adds up to 84. Previously 2 game were dropped off of the in conference matchups. The other option would be to cut down to 2 games in the conference and go down to 76. Let’s face it, that was never going to happen. 
 

Any expansion throws this game count out the window. 

[Eleven]

Just now, shrader said:

Doesn’t that defeat the whole emergency thing though? That last second travel from where ever the farm club is, that’s a huge issue. The EBUG is someone who is always in house. They need someone there in case something happens very close to puck drop.

That's how I see it, and not every team has a farm club 60 minutes down the road. 

[Taro T]

2 minutes ago, shrader said:

Doesn’t that defeat the whole emergency thing though? That last second travel from where ever the farm club is, that’s a huge issue. The EBUG is someone who is always in house. They need someone there in case something happens very close to puck drop.

 

84 is already intended to divide up the games more evenly.

Other conference: 2 games X 16 teams

Within division: 4 games X 7 teams

Rest of your conference: 3 games X 8 teams

 

That all adds up to 84. Previously 2 game were dropped off of the in conference matchups. The other option would be to cut down to 2 games in the conference and go down to 76. Let’s face it, that was never going to happen. 
 

Any expansion throws this game count out the window. 

Not necessarily.  Am envisioning it as a scenario where one guy pulls up a little lame in practice or the team's had a flu raging through the roster; it the team says one of the 2 isn't at 100% (or whatever 100% actually is come early March) the team can have the guy up with the parent squad. 

Would also add wouldn't be shocked if they'd let a team that's going on the road for an extended road trip to take the 3rd goalie with him as well if the backup hasn't played in a long while (kind of a reverse "conditioning" assignment.  They already let Buffalo and Joisey do that last year on their trip to Europe.  But would expect that only to be for road trips extending beyond a set # of games and maybe not even at all unless the backup has been particularly inactive.  Which upon further thought might be the real way this plays out.

It doesn't make any sense to be forcing a team to keep a 3rd LEGIT goalie up with the parent squad (essentially making the roster 24 man rather than 23 man).  You now aren't going to be having the 2nd and 3rd guy get enough practice time and definitely won't get enough game time.  

If they go full time to 3 legit goalies, then they're doing 2 things the players and their farm clubs won't like.  The players will be dividing their RS pool by 24 players rather than just 23 and the farm team will be losing its best goalie for stretches when he still isn't going to get into any games.

As said above, am really interested in seeing what the actual language of the new CBA is on these tweaks.  Can see a few different VERY convoluted ways for them to try to work this.  And won't even hazard a guess at how convoluted the BF-LTIR playoff eligibility rules will be.  Just am expecting an adverb to work with how convoluted they are to be "very."