If you're an old NHL fan like me, when CBA's are brought up, it immediately gives me anxiety. In 2004, an NHL lockout resulted in the cancellation of the entire season, which revolved around a salary cap. That lockout is the reason the Blue Jackets are celebrating their 25th anniversary in 25-26, instead of last season.
In 2012, the NHL again locked out the players, mainly over, you guessed it, money, resulting in a shortened 48-game schedule. The season didn't start until mid-January, and ultimately, the Blue Jackets missed the playoffs due to a tiebreaker.
Fast forward to 2025, and here we are again – Time for a new CBA. But this time, it seems that the two sides are have agreed to a framework on a four-year extension to the collective bargaining agreement.
Per reports, an agreement could be announced as soon as Friday on a Memorandum of Understanding that would extend the labor agreement. The extension would start on Sept. 16, 2026, and go through Sept. 15, 2030. This is very good news.
So what are the details and how will it affect the Blue Jackets players?
- 84-game regular seasons beginning in 2026-27. Shortening the preseason to an expected four games per team, players with 100-plus career games played can play in a maximum of two preseason games.
- Player contracts will be limited to a maximum of seven years for players re-signing with their current teams and six years for players who are unrestricted free agents. This is down from 8 and 7.
- The massive jumps in the salary cap will be official – $95.5 million, $104 million and $113 million.
- Closing the LTIR loophole for teams to stack payroll by using the injury relief rule.
- Signing rights to draft picks will be the same for everyone until age 22, no matter what league prospects are picked from or where they go next.
- No more deferred salaries to try to lower cap hits.
- Making the EBUG a full-time spot with the team, so that amateurs are no longer allowed to play.
- No more player dress code for players arriving at or leaving games.
There are a few other rules involving player benefits and such as well.
All of the new pieces of the CBA are going to be great for the league and players. More money for the players, and more games for the fans, has to be the two biggest pieces of this. I am 100% for more regular season and less preseason.
Now, if only they could get to the point where the season starts earlier and ends earlier, we could have the perfect NHL. End the season no later than Memorial Day, and start earlier in September.
Let us know what you think below.
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