NHL season to expand to 84 games as part of new CBA

Hockey fans will be treated to two more games in the NHL’s regular season.

As part of the new collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the league and the players’ association, the regular season will expand to 84 games, sources confirmed to Sportsnet.

In turn, the pre-season will be shortened to four games, down from between six and eight games.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Wednesday that the NHL and NHLPA are not far apart on an agreement.

Per an AP source, the change could go into effect as soon as the 2026-27 season.

Earlier this year, the league and the union announced salary cap projections for the next three years, which will raise the cap’s ceiling significantly.

Among other items under consideration, per Friedman, are: revenue sharing, elimination of deferred-salary contracts, reduction of maximum-length contracts and the creation of a permanent emergency back-up goaltender role.

According to Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, a new deal could be announced as early as Friday.