Remember the accountant who became an overnight sensation? The Zamboni driver thrust into the spotlight? Those improbable moments of emergency goaltending magic in the NHL might not vanish entirely, but the system that allowed them is undergoing a significant transformation.
Under the newly ratified Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players` Association (NHLPA), set to take effect for the 2026-27 season, the role of the Emergency Backup Goalie (EBUG) is being formalized. Gone are the days of relying on a local goalie waiting in the arena; teams will now have dedicated, travel-ready EBUGs.
A Shift Towards Structure
Previously, EBUGs were essentially community netminders available to step in for either team at a given arena if both of a team`s regular goalies were injured during a game. This led to unforgettable instances like accountant Scott Foster stopping seven shots for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2018 or David Ayres, a Toronto arena employee and Zamboni driver, earning a win for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2020. While these stories were undeniably compelling human-interest pieces, they highlighted a potential competitive vulnerability.
The new system aims for more predictability and, presumably, a higher, albeit still non-professional, standard. Under the new CBA terms, each NHL team must declare their designated EBUG 48 hours before the start of the season and 24 hours before each individual game. This player will travel with their assigned team, a significant logistical change from the previous shared resource model.
Defining the “Qualified” EBUG
To prevent a full return to seasoned professionals waiting in the wings, the CBA includes specific criteria for who can serve as an EBUG. The designated goalie must never have played in an NHL game and cannot have participated in more than 80 professional hockey games across various leagues. Additionally, they must not have played professional hockey at all within the preceding three years. This attempts to strike a balance: the EBUG should have some high-level experience, ensuring they aren`t a complete novice, but not so much that they are essentially a third-string pro bypassing the traditional development pipeline or depth charts. It`s a fascinating tightrope walk between quirky local hero and quasi-professional standby.
Beyond the Crease: Other CBA Impacts
While the EBUG change is certainly the most visually distinct amendment for many fans, the new CBA encompasses broader rule adjustments that will impact the league`s financial and operational landscape:
- 19-Year-Olds and the AHL: The NHL is seeking to renegotiate its agreement with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to allow teams to assign one drafted 19-year-old player to the AHL, a change from the current rule that forces them back to junior if they don`t make the NHL roster. This move comes as the CHL faces challenges retaining top talent due to expanded NCAA eligibility rules.
- Playoff Salary Cap: A significant financial loophole has been closed with the introduction of a playoff salary cap. This change eliminates the strategy of using Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) during the regular season to gain cap flexibility, only to activate injured, high-salaried players for the playoffs without penalty.
- Trade Salary Retention: Teams will now be limited to retaining salary on a player in a trade only once every 75 days. This prevents teams from frequently acting as intermediaries in multi-team deals solely for financial compensation.
- Season Length and Training Camp: The regular season will expand to 84 games, necessitating a corresponding shortening of training camps.
- Safety and Style: Mandatory neck guards will be grandfathered into use starting in 2026-27, a safety measure implemented following tragic events. Meanwhile, player dress codes will be relaxed, allowing players more freedom to dress in line with `contemporary fashion norms` rather than strict team-imposed suit requirements.
Looking Ahead
The new NHL/NHLPA CBA, taking effect in 2026-27, represents a comprehensive update to the league`s foundational rules. From formalizing the backup goaltending system to addressing player development, financial strategies, and safety, these changes aim to shape the competitive and logistical landscape of professional hockey for years to come. The era of the truly “off the street” goalie may be fading, replaced by a more structured, albeit still unique, role within the league`s ecosystem.
