The NHL and NHLPA announced they ratified a four-year collective bargaining agreement that kicks in after next season. The new agreement [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/why-a-collaborative-nhl-and-nhlpa-decided-on-four-year-cba-extension-instead-of-longer], which runs through the 2029-30 season, comes more than a year ahead of the current CBA's expiration. That means there will be no threat of a lockout after past labor disputes caused a cancelled season in 2004-05 and shortened campaigns in 1994-95 and 2012-13. “The partnership between the Players’ Association and the League is stronger than it ever has been, and working together under this agreement presents a fantastic opportunity to continue to grow the game,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a joint news release [https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-nhlpa-ratify-collective-bargaining-agreement]. “We are grateful to the Board of Governors for its support of this agreement that strengthens our game and ensures we are collectively delivering a great fan experience in the years to come.” Added NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh: “This CBA shows what can be accomplished when the NHL and the Union work together – an agreement that will allow for the continued worldwide growth of the game. That is a win for everyone.” Marty Walsh and Gary Bettman (David Kirouac-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5adf40b5-0d93-45a3-8952-3db8bddc9831.jpeg] Marty Walsh and Gary Bettman (David Kirouac-Imagn Images) Despite the ratification, the memorandum of understanding is not yet available on the NHL and NHLPA [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-nhlpa-leaders-dismiss-concerns-about-teams-in-tax-free-states-having-an-advantage]'s websites. It will be made available on those sites at a later date, the announcement said. Bettman and Walsh declined to discuss details of the new CBA at a pre-draft press conference, but they did say it would last four years and begin after the 2025-26 season. Walsh said the reason for a four-year deal instead of a longer term is that it gives a better opportunity for players to help shape future agreements instead of potentially playing their whole careers under one CBA. Some details of the CBA surfaced in reports in The Athletic [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6453454/2025/06/26/nhl-84-game-schedule-ltir-loophole-cba/] and Daily Faceoff [https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/nhl-nhlpa-framework-new-cba-announcement-friday-84-game-season-ltir], including an 84-game regular season, shortened pre-season, a playoff salary cap mechanism in the playoffs, no mandatory dress code for players arriving and leaving games and no deferred salary contracts. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
