The NHL’s Board of Governors met on Tuesday to discuss league business, including expectations regarding upcoming CBA negotiations. Gary Bettman revealed that those talks with players have not yet begun, but plans for early 2025 are in the works, and the NHL commissioner is optimistic about a new deal.
The current agreement between the two parties will expire in September 2026.
“We’ve said that it could be as early as November, but I think everybody’s still got some homework to do,” Bettman said per NHL.com’s David Satriano. “You know that the union’s on their fall tour, so no big deal. It’s just, I think, in terms of timing, that’s probably the most realistic. Which is still well, well in advance [of its expiration], and we think we’re collectively, in terms of the relationship, in a good place.”
Among the topics broached by Bettman was the league’s salary cap, which increased $4.5 million to $88 million this past summer. According to Bettman, the cap could go up the same amount to $92.5 million ahead of next season, but cautioned that those talks were “way, way, way, way preliminary.”
Modifying the NHL’s typical 82-game schedule was also discussed. The primary proposal involves reducing the preseason to just four games and adding two extra games to the regular season, increasing teams’ schedules to 84 games.
“[That is] on a list of things to think about,” Bettman said.
One topic that wasn’t on the table was expansion. The lack of news there comes despite deputy commissioner Bill Daly declaring in late August that adding additional teams to the current 32 in the NHL is likely.
Previous statements from Bettman and Daly revealed that cities like Atlanta, Houston, Cincinnati, Kansas City, and Quebec City have all maintained interest in an expansion squad.
“It’s no different than the last time I answered the question,” Bettman said. “There are a number of places that have expressed interest, some that talk to us on a regular basis, but that’s where we are.”
Lastly, the league has preliminary plans for their 2025 4 Nations Face-Off roster deadline, tentatively set for December 2. NHL talent from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States will participate in the new tournament, which will run from February 12-20 at TD Garden in Boston and Bell Centre in Montreal.
The four nations will also be allowed to name a set of potential injury replacements that can be named to their rosters up to the start of the tournament in February if “bona fide” injuries occur.
