NHL Player's Unnamed Interview: Revealing Their True Sentiments Towards the Freshly Implemented Collective Bargaining Agreement
Here's a fresh take on the piece:
Are you curious about the NHL players' thoughts on the upcoming changes to the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)? On Thursday, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli dropped some incredible news about the planned framework for the CBA.
Two significant details caught our attention:
- Swanky 84-game regular seasons starting in 2026-27, with preseason games reduced to a maximum of four per team, and experienced players restricted to participating in just two preseason games if they've played over 100 career games.
- Contract limitations, maxing out at seven years for re-signing players and six years for unrestricted free agents. The 2025-26 season marks the end of the eight-year contract windfall in the NHL.
But what does the league's roster really think about these tweaks? We got the lowdown from some players who agreed to speak anonymously about their true feelings on the matter.
Got honest opinions? Here ya go:
"Preseason games are useless anyway. By the end of it, most of us are panting like puppies by the time the regular season rolls around."
"Shorter is definitely better. I've never been a fan of the Cup being presented in late June."
"I appreciate the shorter preseason as a seasoned vet. I want to play in one or two warm-up games at the most."
"Shorter pre-season, great! There'll also be another break for Olympics and World Cup hockey ahead, so it makes sense to schedule more regular-season games."
Contracts, contracts, contracts:
"The new seven-year deal limit makes the league more competitive faster."
"General managers will definitely think twice about committing, even on a six-year deal."
"Players are starting to feel like we've got leverage now. We're seeing more short-term deals these days."
"Younger guys probably won't dig this. There are some deals floating around that some of us still can't believe."
Other musings:
"The rising salary cap and increasing TV revenue alongside potential expansion have the league looking pretty good."
"To be honest, I'm still taken aback by playing into late June. But hey, the shorter preseason is a win, I guess."
"Apparently we're free to wear whatever we want now," added one player, commenting on the report's details about teams no longer being able to enforce player dress codes for arriving and leaving games.
Tune in for The Sheet Draft Special, airing live on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel on Friday, June 27th, 7 PM EST, hosted by Jeff Marek. Get ready for expert analysis, team-by-team breakdowns, and real-time reactions to every pick of the 2025 Draft. Whether you're tracking your team's future superstars or just love the draft night drama, The Sheet Draft Special promises to be your go-to destination!
"The athletes seemed excited about the prospect of an 84-game NHL season, as they believe it will eliminate the need for unnecessary preseason games, which they perceive as exhausting. Meanwhile, the players are also intrigued by the new contract limitations, particularly the seven-year maximum for re-signing players, as they feel it could provide them with more leverage in negotiations."
