New Changes in the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement: Beyond 84 Games
The new NHL collective agreement brings significant changes, including the expansion of the regular season to 84 games and the implementation of a salary cap in the playoffs. However, there is a crucial investment in the well-being of former players that stands out for its importance.Emergency Fund for Retired Players
The league and the union will allocate $4 million annually to the recently established Health and Wellness Emergency Fund for Retired Players. Glenn Healy, president and CEO of the NHL Alumni Association and former goaltender, explained that this plan offers access to a family doctor and a mental health professional for any player, regardless of whether they played a single shift or 10,000 games.The agreement, which extends until 2030, also increases the insurance subsidy for retired players to $10,000 per year. Ron Hainsey, who played more than 1,000 games between 2002 and 2020, commented that the idea is for players to have a completely different situation after their careers. Healy, a Stanley Cup champion with the New York Rangers in 1994, has been pushing for this change for some time and met with Marty Walsh about it when he took over the leadership of the union in 2023. Walsh said that the well-being of the alumni was one of the NHLPA’s priorities, and this shows that the league is joining that effort. Bill Daly, NHL Deputy Commissioner, acknowledged the importance of the league’s history and the players who laid the foundation for current success, thanking the growth of the collaboration with the Alumni Association.Our wellness plan isn’t like that of basketball or soccer. We are different in this sport. We have different problems and this is a big step forward for the players. This is innovative. It’s like Christmas Day for us.
Glenn Healy
