New rules for EBUGs? 84 games? What to know about the NHL's new CBA

The NHL's new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has been ratified by both the league's board of governors and the NHLPA's membership. It will take effect on September 16, 2026, and run through September 15, 2030, extending labor peace for five seasons including the upcoming one. This marks the fastest CBA extension reached during Gary Bettman's tenure as commissioner and is the first major negotiation for NHLPA head Marty Walsh.

Key changes in the new CBA include significant schedule adjustments. The regular season will expand to 84 games, while the preseason will be shortened to a maximum of four exhibition games per team. Players with 100 career NHL games will be limited to two preseason games, and those who played at least 50 games the prior season will have a maximum of 13 days of training camp. This expansion allows for an even divisional schedule (four games against each divisional rival every other season) and replaces exhibition games with regular-season contests.

Contract rules are also altered, reducing the maximum term. Players can now re-sign with their current team for a maximum of seven years (down from eight) or sign with a new team in free agency for a maximum of six years (down from seven). Deferred salaries will be eliminated. Additionally, a new full-time position for an emergency backup goaltender (EBUG) is established, allowing that player to practice and travel with the team. The CBA also updates language regarding long-term injured reserve (LTIR), particularly concerning adding players from LTIR to the playoff roster.

The league last played an 84-game season from 1992 to 1994. Since 1995-96, every full NHL regular season has been 82 games. The NHL has internally discussed adding games and reducing the preseason for at least four years, but the previous CBA restricted teams to 82 games, necessitating collective bargaining for this change. The functional motivation was to balance divisional schedules (currently 26 games) while replacing low-revenue preseason games with regular-season matchups.