The NHL and NHLPA have a tentative agreement in place for the memorandum of understanding on the CBA, per TSN’s Bob McKenzie. The NHL and NHLPA have both announced the deal.
The owners and the players must ratify the agreement with a vote, but this is definitely trending in a positive direction. Ratification could happen as soon as the end of this week, but there is no set deadline, per McKenzie. Per the agreement, Phase 3 will begin as planned on July 13, followed by travel to hub cities on July 26 and the beginning of play on August 1.
The full press release from the NHLPA reads as follows: “The National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) have reached a tentative agreement on a Return to Play Plan and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that adds an additional four years to the term of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement and includes transition rules and a new critical dates calendar. As part of the tentative agreement, the following dates have been established: July 13 start of formal training camps; July 26 Clubs travel to hub cities; August 1 start of Qualifying Round. The tentative agreement is now subject to approval by the NHL’s Board of Governors, as well as the NHLPA’s Executive Board followed by the full NHLPA membership. The respective review and approval processes will take place over the next few days and there will be no further comment until those processes are completed.”
Given the troubled history between these two sides, that they could come to an agreement without a work stoppage under these rushed and dynamic conditions speaks volumes. The extended CBA will now expire on September 15, 2026, per NHL.com. There are still plenty of hurdles ahead before August 1, but for now, it appears that the NHL will return in less than a month’s time.
But still no hub cities announce?
Edmonton and Toronto
Now cancel the season
@JDGoat – You’re just (rightfully) PO’d that OTT didn’t get the 1-2 picks in the Draft Fix-Job, er “Lottery.” I don’t blame you one bit. Even a 1st & 3rd, with DET sandwiched in would have been right and proper. Just thought of something – with players scheduled to report to the yet-to-be-officially-announded hub cities on July 26th, maybe the league will wait until July 25th to spill the beans, cancelling the season because the old egg timer went off… ;()
not happening bro
sit back and enjoy the hockey or be miserable, your choice
Expire in 2016?
Well, it’s not like a lockout or players strike would be of interest to either side anytime soon, so a new CBA is in everyone’s best interest.
Can baseball borrow NHL-commissioner? He gets things done
In all fairness to Rob Manfred, the MLBPA is far more difficult to negotiate with than the NHLPA, probably because there’s a lot more money in baseball and the players’ minds are poisoned by super-agents like Scott Boras. But yes, as much as I dislike Gary Bettman at times, I agree with you.