Potential NHL lockout looms: Players prepare with signing bonuses
The NHL's current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season, and there are early signs that a labor dispute could be on the horizon.
While the league has enjoyed a period of labor peace since the 2012-13 season, several economic challenges-including slower post-COVID revenue recovery, Canadian macroeconomic factors, and issues with U.S. broadcast partners-could lead to a contentious negotiation process.
One key indicator of potential trouble is the sharp increase in signing bonuses in multi-year contracts extending beyond the 2026-27 season. These bonuses, paid out during the off-season, make contracts "lockout proof," protecting players financially if a CBA dispute disrupts the regular season. As players and teams brace for a possible labor standoff, signing bonuses have become a strategic tool in contract negotiations.
Fans are left wondering whether these negotiations will impact future seasons. With players preparing for a potential lockout, and front offices accommodating these strategies, the landscape of NHL contracts may continue to shift significantly in the coming years.
Source: TSN
NHL players preparing for labour uncertainty with lockout-protected contracts
| POLL | ||
Do you think the NHL will experience a lockout after the 2025-26 season? | ||
| Yes | 23 | 28.8 % |
| No | 36 | 45 % |
| Unsure | 19 | 23.8 % |
| Impossible | 2 | 2.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
