Vancouver Canucks to Benefit in a Huge Way With Big Change Coming to NHL's CBA in 2026
The Vancouver Canucks are set to benefit in a huge way during the 2026-27 season with a big change coming via the National Hockey League's new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Last week, the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association announced that the players and owners have voted to ratify a new Collective Bargaining Agreement which will begin on September 15th, 2026 and go until September 2030, meaning we'll have labor peace for the next half-decade.
"The partnership between the Players' Association and the League is stronger than it ever has been and working together under this agreement presents a fantastic opportunity to continue to grow the game," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "We are grateful to the Board of Governors for its support of this agreement that strengthens our game and ensures we are collectively delivering a great fan experience in the years to come."
In the new CBA, there there are plenty of big changes, including an 84-game regular season, as well as a shorter training camp and less preseason games.
New change in NHL's CBA could benefit Vancouver Canucks in a big way
There were numerous other changes announced as well as part of the CBA and one of which that went under the radar a little bit could benefit the Vancouver Canucks in a big way starting in the 2026-27 season.
In the CBA, it was announced that they will be reopening an agreement they have with the Canadian Hockey League soon regarding a rule that mandates 19-year-old players must be returned to their respective junior clubs if they don't make their NHL team's roster.
The change being proposed will see National Hockey League teams allowing to send one 19-year-old major junior (CHL) prospect to their American Hockey League affiliate as of September 2026.
"NHL will reopen its agreement with the CHL to seek to eliminate the mandatory return rule for 19-year-old Players. NHL will seek to limit NHL Clubs to Loaning no more than one (1) 19-year-old Player per year to the AHL without the requirement of first offering such Player to his junior club." the league's CBA said.
If the NHL & CHL work out a new agreement, which is almost guaranteed to happen at this point, the Vancouver Canucks could use it to have one of 2025 draftees suit up for Abbotsford next fall.
The two most likely candidates to play in the AHL for Abbotsford under this new rule are first round pick Braeden Cootes, who is currently the captain of the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, and second round pick Aleksei Medvedev, who is expected to take over the starting role for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League this season.
It's hard to say right now who the Vancouver Canucks would prefer to have in Abbotsford in a little over 14 months, but both Cootes and Medvedev would be solid candidates and it would help them get acclimated to professional hockey sooner than expected.
Source: National Hockey League
NHL, NHL Players' Association ratify 4-year Collective Bargaining Agreement
NHL, NHL Players' Association ratify 4-year Collective Bargaining Agreement
Previously on CanucksDaily
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