### NHL's New CBA: A Game-Changer for the Future of Hockey The NHL has announced a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA), marking a significant development in the league's operational framework. This four-year deal, set to commence on September 16, 2026, introduces several notable changes, including an expansion of the regular season from 82 to 84 games. This decision aims to enhance the competitive landscape and provide fans with more hockey action. The announcement was made just hours before the league's first remote draft, which is expected to be highly active in terms of trades. While the specifics of the new rules are still under wraps, the agreement promises to bring about substantial shifts in how the league operates moving forward [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/nhl_announces_new_cba_with_8_different_changes/s1_15359_42384319][https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/stars/2025/06/27/an-84-game-season-among-changes-coming-to-nhl-as-part-of-new-labor-deal]. ### Key Changes and Structure of the New CBA 1. **Expansion of the Regular Season**: The NHL will increase the number of games from 82 to 84 starting in the 2026-27 season, which will also lead to a reduction in preseason games from seven to four [https://www.clutchpoints.com/nhl/nhl-news-new-look-cba-reveals-major-changes]. 2. **Contract and Salary Cap Updates**: The new CBA will include revisions to contract structures and salary cap regulations, although specific details have yet to be disclosed [https://www.sootoday.com/national-hockey/an-84-game-season-is-among-the-changes-coming-to-the-nhl-as-part-of-the-new-labor-deal-10875411]. 3. **Labor Peace Extension**: This agreement extends labor peace in the NHL through 2030, following the last lockout in the 2012-13 season, which is crucial for the stability of the league [https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/stars/2025/06/27/an-84-game-season-among-changes-coming-to-nhl-as-part-of-new-labor-deal]. 4. **Remote Draft**: The announcement coincides with the NHL's first remote draft, which is anticipated to be one of the most active in recent years, indicating a shift in how the league engages with its teams and players [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/nhl_announces_new_cba_with_8_different_changes/s1_15359_42384319]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Regular Season Games**: The increase from 82 to 84 games represents a **2.4% increase** in the total number of games played, which could lead to increased revenue from ticket sales and broadcasting rights. - **Preseason Reduction**: The reduction of preseason games from seven to four could streamline team preparations and reduce player injuries before the regular season begins. - **Labor Peace Duration**: The extension of labor peace until 2030 is significant, as it provides a stable environment for teams and players to operate without the threat of a lockout or strike [https://apnews.com/article/nhl-84-game-season-cba-talks-cadcd6863049bfe3201c1e6e5e0f0c11][https://apnews.com/article/nhl-cba-extension-8dad85118a310b04502ea188882359d6]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for the NHL In summary, the NHL's new CBA introduces several transformative changes that are set to reshape the league's landscape. The key points include: 1. **Expansion of the regular season to 84 games**, enhancing fan engagement and potential revenue. 2. **Updates to contract and salary cap rules**, which could lead to more competitive team structures. 3. **Extension of labor peace through 2030**, ensuring stability in the league's operations. 4. **A highly anticipated remote draft**, indicating a shift in how the league conducts its business. These changes collectively signal a new era for the NHL, promising to enhance the sport's appeal and operational efficiency [https://www.reuters.com/sports/reports-nhls-cba-talks-may-result-84-game-schedule-2025-06-26][https://www.espn.co.uk/nhl/story/_/id/45585302/nhl-nhlpa-negotiating-84-game-season-new-cba-sources-say].