NHL contracts change as eight-year limit replaces with seven-year max
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 14, 2026, 3:24 PM
Last updated Sep 14, 2026
The NHL is set for significant contract changes, with a deadline looming for eight-year deals. Starting September 15, contracts will be limited to a maximum of seven years, affecting player extensions and free agency. High-profile players like Zeev Buium and Cale Makar secured eight-year contracts before this cutoff. Several players still aim for eight-year contracts, including Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson, who is seeking an extension amid the impending deadline. The alterations are expected to impact teams' strategies in contract negotiations moving forward.
- •Eight-year contracts will no longer be allowed starting September 15.
- •Zeev Buium signed an eight-year deal worth over $75 million.
- •Cale Makar previously secured the largest eight-year contract at $163.8 million.
- •Drake Batherson is seeking an eight-year extension before the deadline.
- •The changes will restrict teams' ability to structure long-term contracts.
- 3:24 PMYahoo Sports — Big NHL changes coming as new CBA deadline nears
"The NHL's eight-year contract era is nearly over.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
HockeyNHL•Sep 14, 2026, 5:40 PMJoe Sakic plans to indefinitely stay in GM role for Avs with no search scheduled, AP source says
NHL•Sep 14, 2026, 4:43 PMSabres sign 22-year-old Ostlund to 8-year, $52.8M contract
NHL•Sep 14, 2026, 3:45 PMMontreal Canadiens make statement with coaching decision
NHL•Sep 14, 2026, 3:00 PMEvaluating Potential Contract Extensions For The Devils’ Pending Free Agents
NHL•Sep 14, 2026, 1:15 PMPuck Drop Preview: 2026-27 New York Rangers
NHL•Sep 14, 2026, 12:00 PMWeekly Cupcakes: Is TJ Hughes the real deal?