NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has indicated that the league and the players` union are in a “really good shape” regarding negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Speaking ahead of the opening game of the Stanley Cup Final series between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, Bettman noted that these discussions are vastly different and more positive compared to previous CBA talks with the NHL Players` Association.
Bettman specifically praised NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh, describing the dialogue as “very constructive, professional, and cordial.” However, he clarified that there would be no formal agreement announced immediately.
The current collective bargaining agreement, which received an extension during the COVID-19 pandemic when the league faced financial uncertainty, is set to expire on September 15, 2026.
This positive atmosphere surrounding the negotiations is a welcome sign for fans of the league, which has a history of labor disputes, including the cancellation of the entire 2004-05 season due to a lockout and shortened seasons in both 1994-95 and 2012-13.
In other news, the NHL is planning for player participation in the upcoming Olympics in Italy. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly commented that the league does not expect the International Olympic Committee or the International Ice Hockey Federation to reverse their ban on Russian teams. This means Russian NHL players will not be competing in the Games, which will be the first to feature the world`s top players since 2014, a consequence of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
