The NHL has agreed to expand its regular season to 84 games as part of a new collective bargaining agreement with the players’ association, according to Sportsnet sources. The pre-season will be shortened to four games from six or eight.
As part of the deal, salary cap projections for the next three years are expected to significantly increase the cap’s ceiling. Other items under consideration include revenue sharing, eliminating deferred-salary contracts, reducing maximum-length contracts, and creating a permanent emergency back-up goaltender role.
The changes could take effect as soon as the 2026-27 season. A new deal is reportedly close to being announced by Friday, according to sources Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.
Source: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/nhl-season-to-expand-to-84-games-as-part-of-new-cba