Teams are going to have to be smarter with their money next spring. There will be a significant rule change coming this season, with the NHL implementing a salary cap during the playoffs.

Per Frank Seravalli, the NHL and NHLPA agreed to roll out parts of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement on a staggered timeline. The original plan was to launch the new cap system in 2026-27, but both sides saw a path to start some pieces now.

The postseason cap is meant to clamp down on classic Long-Term Injured Reserve workarounds. No more stashing a star on LTIR until Game 1 after loading up at the trade deadline. We have seen versions of this with Nikita Kucherov, Mark Stone, Evander Kane, and Matthew Tkachuk returning to their respective teams right as the playoffs began. Under the new rule, clubs will have to keep their playoff roster under a defined cap number, which should curb those maneuvers.

Another change taking effect immediately is that there is no longer a strict league dress code. Players can wear what they want to the rink before and after games, and they can incorporate alcohol brands into their outfits if they choose.

Seravalli also notes a key date for contract terms. Players have until September 15, 2026, to sign deals under the current CBA’s rules. Contracts signed on or after September 16, 2026, will follow the new CBA term limits, meaning re-signings will max out at seven years, and free agents signing with a new team will be capped at six years.

The bottom line for contenders like the Edmonton Oilers is that deadline adds could take more planning, and term-heavy deals get tighter once the new limits kick in. The Florida Panthers, who were over the salary cap by $5 million during last season’s Stanley Cup Final, will need to take a different approach this year with Tkachuk set to start 2025-26 on the LTIR.