The NHL and NHL Players Association are in the advanced stages of negotiations on a four-year extension of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, according to multiple reports Thursday.
Among the most notable changes, the new deal would extend the regular season to 84 games, establish a full-time emergency backup goalie position and limit player contract lengths to seven years, according to ESPN.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reportedly gave the board of governors an update on everything at a meeting in Los Angeles on Wednesday ahead of the NHL draft this weekend.
With the current CBA set to expire after the 2025-26 season, a four-year extension would run through September 2030. This also marks the first major negotiation for NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh, who took over the NHLPA in March 2023.
The new CBA, which could be finalized and announced as soon as Friday, will take the NHL regular-season schedule from 82 to 84 games. As a result, the preseason slate would be shortened from six to four contests, according to ESPN.
In addition to a cap of seven years on contract lengths, the deal will also eliminate deferred salary — a contract structure that was becoming increasingly popular.
One-time Ranger Frank Vatrano recently signed a three-year, $18 million extension with the Ducks that carried a significant portion of deferred salary.
The contract will pay Vatrano $3 million in each of the next three seasons, with the remaining $9 million in deferred salary beginning in 2035.
Players are currently allowed to re-sign for eight years with their current team or seven years in free agency.
The new CBA says players can re-sign for a maximum of seven years with their current team and six years in free agency.
Emergency backup goaltenders have provided the NHL with some feel-good stories, such as 42-year-old David Ayres backstopping the Hurricanes to a win in February 2020.
The new deal would have teams bring on a full-time EBUG who can practice and travel with the team, according to ESPN.
ESPN’s report also says both sides are discussing the elimination of the long-term injured reserve loophole that certain teams have utilized in recent years.
It would ensure teams are salary cap compliant in the playoffs, with revised language surrounding the topic expected in the new CBA.
Additionally, a 50-50 split of hockey-related revenue between players and owners is expected to be maintained.