The NHL and NHL Players' Association are on the verge of extending the collective bargaining agreement more than a year before it expires and expanding the regular season to 84 games. The league and union have been in talks since April and are closing in on a memorandum of understanding addressing a number of high-profile topics long before the

According to Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the NHL and NHL Players' Association agreed to the key framework for a new collective bargaining agreement, including an 84-game schedule starting in 2026-27 and new contractual rules.

The potential change that could go into effect as soon as 2026-27 would reduce the preseason to four games per team.