NHL contracts change as eight-year limit replaces with seven-year max
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 15, 2026, 4:46 PM
Last updated Sep 15, 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.
- 4:46 PMYahoo Sports — NHL Teams Scramble to Lock In 8-Year Deals Before New CBA Kicks In
- 4:27 PMYahoo Sports — NHL teams rush to sign players to eight-year contracts before the new CBA deadline
- 3:24 PMYahoo Sports — Big NHL changes coming as new CBA deadline nears
"The clock is ticking toward an unusual deadline in the NHL, and teams with players relevant to it are rushing to beat the final horn. The new collective bargaining agreement goes into effect at midnight, at which time a seven-year contract will be the longest a player can re-sign with his own team — and six years in free agency. Washington locked up Ryan Leonard for $84 million starting with the 2027-28 season.
"Teams are pushing to sign players to max-length contracts before terms drop.
"The NHL's eight-year contract era is nearly over.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 4:46 PMNHL Teams Scramble to Lock In 8-Year Deals Before New CBA Kicks In
Teams are pushing to sign players to max-length contracts before terms drop.
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 4:27 PMNHL teams rush to sign players to eight-year contracts before the new CBA deadline
The clock is ticking toward an unusual deadline in the NHL, and teams with players relevant to it are rushing to beat the final horn. The new collective bargaining agreement goes into effect at midnight, at which time a seven-year contract will be the longest a player can re-sign with his own team — and six years in free agency. Washington locked up Ryan Leonard for $84 million starting with the 2027-28 season.
- Yahoo SportsSep 14, 2026, 3:24 PMBig NHL changes coming as new CBA deadline nears
The NHL's eight-year contract era is nearly over.
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