Concerning report emerges pointing to a possible lockout season in 2026

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the NHL is set to expire after the 2025-26 season. Although the league has seen relative stability since the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, early signs suggest that the NHL and the Players' Association might face a serious and concerning negotiation period ahead.

One clear advantage for the players this time around is their improved preparedness, notably through the strategic use of signing bonuses, as they have no doubt learned from prior mistakes. These bonuses are increasingly viewed as a safeguard against potential contract buyouts.

A signing bonus offers another significant benefit, which is that it helps protect contracts from being affected by lockouts. Since these bonuses are generally paid out during the off-season, players receive them before any possible interruptions caused by a stalled or delayed CBA negotiation. Consequently, even if the season is delayed or interrupted due to a lack of a new CBA agreement, players won't face immediate financial strain, as their bonuses have already been paid to them prior to the beginning of the lockout. Thus, players with substantial signing bonuses are less vulnerable to the financial impacts of a lockout.

Fans are heavily praying that there is not a repeat of the 2004 lockout that canceled the entire season.

Source: TSN
NHL players preparing for labour uncertainty with lockout-protected contracts