Sportsnet`s Dan Murphy catches up with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after the Board of Governors meeting to discuss the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft, best on best hockey and his thoughts on negotiations surrounding the new CBA.
At Wednesday`s NHL Board of Governors meeting in Los Angeles, Commissioner Gary Bettman provided an update on collective bargaining discussions, describing it as “quite extensive both in terms of the process and the substance.”
The NHL and the NHL Players` Association (NHLPA) are believed to be close to reaching an agreement on a new CBA.
“It`s conceivable that there would be an announcement when we reach an understanding, but that understanding is again subject to ratification,” Bettman added. “We’re not there at the moment.”
Earlier this season, the league and the union completed significant work by agreeing on a three-year salary cap projection that will raise the ceiling to record levels. That was considered the most challenging part of the negotiations, and both sides have worked to keep other details private. Notable potential terms believed to be under consideration include:
- Reducing the maximum contract length from eight years for a team`s own player to seven years for a free agent from another team.
- Extending draft rights until a player reaches age 22.
- Potentially allowing some first-round picks from the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) to be eligible for the AHL (American Hockey League) sooner than current rules permit.
- Eliminating deferred salary contracts.
- Establishing a “permanent” emergency backup goaltender (EBUG) who would practice and travel with the NHL team.
- Adjusting revenue sharing to provide more assistance to teams with more modest finances.
Regardless of the specifics, it`s expected that details will be finalized relatively soon.
In other news:
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly provided an update on potential expansion interest. Bettman stated there`s “nothing new,” no pending applications, and the league is not currently looking to begin a formal expansion process at this point.
When asked about a potential set expansion fee, Bettman replied that while discussions about general terms happen with interested parties, there`s “nothing we need to get into” publicly.
Daly also clarified the league`s review of Evander Kane`s Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) status. The review concerns a January knee surgery that interrupted his recovery from a prior hip procedure. The NHL`s position is that it had the right to request more information but waited until the Oilers` season concluded.
“That`s what I`ve held as pending,” Daly commented, adding that he hasn`t decided how long the review will remain pending.
The league also approved Bill Haslam`s purchase of an additional 18 percent stake in the Nashville Predators, increasing his ownership to nearly two-thirds.
The author expressed a view that the only negative aspect is the perceived lack of “draft buzz” surrounding the decentralized event, feeling something is missing without everyone gathered together. Bettman reiterated plans to survey teams this summer about potentially reverting to a central draft format, a change the author feels is needed quickly.
