2026 NHL CBA negotiations, issues

[Tawnos]

Bettman says NHL hopes to extend CBA with NHLPA by June, 15 months before expiration

“We think we’re collectively, in terms of the relationship, in a good place.”

www.dailyfaceoff.com

Betrman would like to start negotiations in January and have completed deal by June, months before expiration.

Article mentions a number of potential CBA discussions. Including reducing preseason games to four, and adding two RS games.

Just as a thing, but this rhetoric is vastly different than the rhetoric before any of the lockouts:

“We think we’re collectively, in terms of the relationship, in a good place.”

“My guess is, on either side, we’re not talking about fundamental changes,” Bettman said this weekend on The Varsity podcast with John Ourand. “I think we’re looking at things we’d each like to see improved in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, but I’m not concerned that we’re looking at something will take us down a road nobody wants to go down.”

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841876778786173417

2nd half of interview addresses preseason. First, teams set up preseason schedule months in advance of any announcement of preseason overseas play. Second, perhaps shorten PS to 4 games (& add 2 RS). Both could be discussion point in CBA negotiations.

 

[sneakytitz]

They're going to be cutting it close but I think it's doable. I don't see any hurdles (YET) that could be especially problematic.

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844361265155891433

Paywall

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844743869335834823

Speculation about Bettman wanting to announce new CBA before Stanley Cup game 1 so much that they might tear up last year of current CBA and have BIG cap jump.

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844804255611584845

 

[Golden_Jet]

Bettman says NHL hopes to extend CBA with NHLPA by June, 15 months before expiration

“We think we’re collectively, in terms of the relationship, in a good place.”

www.dailyfaceoff.com

Betrman would like to start negotiations in January and have completed deal by June, months before expiration.

Article mentions a number of potential CBA discussions. Including reducing preseason games to four, and adding two RS games.

So that would be over a year in advance then.

 

[mouser]

So that would be over a year in advance then.

Would make a lot of sense to do a new CBA earlier now that the Covid overpayment balance has been settled.

 

[varsaku]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844804255611584845

Seems crazy that is not already a thing. Would allow teams to load manage better to ensure they are fit and ready to go for the playoffs.

 

[LadyStanley]

Check out this Podcast: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly 32 Thoughts: The podcast

32 Thoughts podcast. Friedman has waiver wire suggestion about 70 minutes in. Put previous claiming team at bottom of waiver priority.

 

[uncleben]

Check out this Podcast: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly 32 Thoughts: The podcast

32 Thoughts podcast. Friedman has waiver wire suggestion about 70 minutes in. Put previous claiming team at bottom of waiver priority.

That's a "no thanks" from me

The NHL is good at knee jerk reactions to things that happen exactly as the CBA designed it to happen but that are rare



Bumping waiver priority will just deter any use of the waiver system

 

[mouser]

Seems crazy that is not already a thing. Would allow teams to load manage better to ensure they are fit and ready to go for the playoffs.

Teams are already given enough cap and roster space to carry a 3rd goaltender temporarily or permanently as the team sees fit.

There are two semi-related, but independent issues going on in my view:

A) Teams who don’t leave themselves enough cap space to call up a 3rd goaltender temporarily when injuries happen.

B) Teams trying to send their waiver eligible 3rd goaltender to the AHL, when there will be teams missing a 2nd tender or dealing with injuries prepared to claim that goaltender for their NHL roster. Even if that claim turns out to be short term and the goaltender is on waivers again in upcoming weeks.


Again in my opine:

(A) Is a problem of the team’s own creating. A CBA change shouldn’t be necessary to resolve a self-inflicted cap space shortage.

(B) I’d guess overall more goaltenders benefit by being claimed on waivers than harmed. Many examples of 3rd/4th string goaltenders who got their breakout with the opportunity to be a 2nd or even temporary 1st on another team.

 

[StreetHawk]

So that would be over a year in advance then.

Well, CBA is set to expire in September 2026, but just before entering the final year, all ELC are then hit at their bonus amounts, and I assume all veteran ones as well, and not just the $925K base salary for the top prospect as without a future year of the current CBA, there are no assurances that bonuses will carryover as per the current CBA.

 

[LadyStanley]

Check out this Podcast: Are The Montreal Canadiens Close To Making The Playoffs? Are The Montreal Canadiens Close To Making The Playoffs?

The Hockey News podcast discusses a number of CBA issues

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1849271681753239930

19yo draft? NHL-CHL agreement does not have same expiration as CBA.

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851386267184791980

Deferred money may be a discussion point.