There’s some big changes coming in the next NHL CBA

As the NHL and NHLPA work to finalize and ratify a new CBA extension, here’s the biggest changes you should know that are coming.

Key Changes to the upcoming CBA

1. The new extension is for six years with an option to extend for one more.
2. Players can opt-out of RTP this summer without having an underlying condition and can’t be penalized.
3. Cap ceiling will remain at $81.5 million and can’t go up until revenue hits $4.8 billion.
4. Escrow will be 20% next season and work its way down to 6% by the 2023-24 season. This is what Artemi Panarin wanted players to hold out for.
5. Participation in at least for the next two Olympic Games
6. No conditional picks for signing with the team a player was traded to. Ex: no upgrading a 2nd round pick for a 1st if that player signs with the team that traded for him.
7. No Move/Trade follows the player. In the past if a player was traded before his clause kicked in, the new team could opt out. Think Derek Stepan and PK Subban.
8. Players in Europe no longer needed to clear waivers if they signed a deal by December 15th.
9. NHL minimum salary will go from $700,000 to $750,000 next season.
10. No more front loading deals. The NHL has lowered the salary variability from the first year to the last to 35%. Originally it was 50%. This takes away a little bit of power from teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers who are notorious for front loading contracts to land free agents.