NHL Notebook: Bettman, Walsh say CBA talks between NHL, NHLPA in ‘really good shape’ and ‘moving forward’

There seems to be little concern about the direction collective bargaining talks between the NHL and NHLPA are heading, executives from both sides expressed Wednesday.

In Edmonton for the Stanley Cup Final between the Oilers and Florida Panthers, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman took the podium to field questions from the media. Among them, Bettman was asked where he felt things were in negotiations about the CBA.

“I think we are having very constructive, professional, cordial dialogue,” said Bettman. “We started a little bit later than we had anticipated, for a variety of reasons on both sides. So I don’t have an announcement to make today that we have a deal. But we have more than a year to go and I think we’re in really good shape having really good discussions.”

The current deal was ratified in January 2013, ending a four-month lockout by owners, and was extended during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s set to expire on September 15th, 2026, but the league and the players association have been in discussions for some time.

The two sides are looking to avoid a lockout, one of which effectively cut the 2012-13 season in half, and another ending the 2004-25 season entirely.

Speaking after Bettman’s presser, Walsh echoed the commissioner’s sentiments.

“It’s moving steady, it’s moving forward,” Walsh said said. “I feel good with where we are, and we’ll see what happens. It gets complicated at certain times, any collective bargaining agreement. But it’s not where it was in the past here where you’re seeing national disputes between organized labour and companies.”

Other news and notes…

• Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan was named the recipient of the 2025 Bill Masterton Trophy on Thursday. In an emotional video posted on X on Thursday, Meredith Gaudreau, the wife of the late NHL player Johnny, showed up unexpectedly at Monahan’s house to present him with the trophy. The award is handed out annually to the player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.”
• The Boston Bruins have named Marco Sturm the 30th head coach in franchise history. A player for the team from 2005-2010, he spent the last three seasons as the AHL Ontario Reign’s head coach, posting a 119-80-11-6 record, making it to the Calder Cup final in all three years.
• Money makes the world go round, and money is also what led to some controversy about the placement of the Stanley Cup Final patch on the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers’ jersey. The patch is on the left side of the players’ chests, right next to where letters go for captains and assistant captains. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli spoke about it Thursday, saying sponsorship patches on the right side of jersey’s forced where the final patches wound up.