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Penguins Hit by Major Schedule Changes Following Bettman's CBA Announcement
The Penguins are going to have quite a change to their schedule, effective in 2026, as Gary Bettman announced a new CBA agreement that is adding more games.
The National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association have reached an agreement in principle on a four-year extension of their Collective Bargaining Agreement to the 2029-30 season.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh, and Assistant Executive Director Ron Hainsey announced it Friday, pending ratification by both organizations.
"We can all look forward to at least five years more of labor peace of the Players' Association and the NHL working together," Bettman said. "While we didn't agree on everything, we had a very constructive, professional, collaborative collective bargaining process, which I think you all know started (at the) end of March and April."
"I think we identified the issues that were important to both sides and I think that Marty and I have established a very good tone and a very good basis for our relationship going forward. I am delighted."
"I think we identified the issues that were important to both sides and I think that Marty and I have established a very good tone and a very good basis for our relationship going forward. I am delighted."
The new deal retains the current financial framework, like the 50-50 Hockey Related Revenue split that began in 2013. It does contain some very substantial changes, however.
The Penguins will now play 84 regular-season games starting in 2026
Most notable among the changes is a longer regular season: each team will play 84 games, a rise from 82, beginning in the 2026-27 season. That will cut the preseason to four, down from six games.
For the Penguins, it will be two extra regular-season games that factor into the standings, both of which, per reports, will be within their division, and thus may increase playoff competition and rivalries even further.
Furthermore, the contract length for players will be shortened to a maximum of seven years for restricted free agents.
Players re-joining their home clubs will sign these seven-year contracts, but free agents who leave will be allowed to sign six-year contracts only with new teams.
The deal follows tireless efforts from the league and union to get it done, well over 14 months before the existing pact expires on Sept. 15, 2026.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 27 | 131 ANSWERS Penguins Hit by Major Schedule Changes Following Bettman's CBA Announcement Do you support an 84-game regular season schedule? | ||
| Yes | 83 | 63.4 % |
| No | 48 | 36.6 % |
| List of polls | ||