Overview
- The NHL Board of Governors and the NHLPA membership voted on July 8 to ratify the four-year extension, locking in labor peace through the 2029-30 season.
- Beginning in 2026-27, teams will play an 84-game regular season while reducing their preseason schedule from six games to four.
- Maximum contract lengths are trimmed by one year, capping re-signing deals at seven seasons and new-team agreements at six.
- Permanent emergency backup goaltenders will be permitted for every club and a postseason salary cap will apply to active players on long-term injured reserve.
- Draft rights will be standardized so teams retain a player’s rights until age 22 regardless of whether they join from junior, college or Europe.