The NHL world is on pause for a couple weeks while we enjoy the 4 Nations Face-Off, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t news being made around the game. Indeed, there was some important news that came from the NHL/NHLPA press conference before the game on Wednesday night that’s notable.
The World Cup of Hockey is coming back, the CBA negotiations sound like they’re in a good place, there might be some changes to the clock during NHL games next season and more. Let’s get into it!
World Cup of Hockey returning in ’28
This year’s 4 Nation Face-Off is the launching point for the NHL and NHLPA getting back into international best-on-best competition. They’ll participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy next year. And then in 2028, the World Cup of Hockey will return! Which is awesome and fun and all of that good stuff.
The new addition to the series will be fourth World Cup of Hockey (1996, 2004 and 2016). A bidding process for host cities and venues expected to open in the coming months. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told the media before the start of the 4 Nations Face-Off the bidding will be open to cities in North America and Europe.
We previously learned the NHL and NHLPA will not be working with/thru the IIHF for the World Cup of Hockey in 2028… which means they could choose to bring Russia and Belarus back into the fold if the politics make that something that’s doable in three years. Bettman said there will be “at least eight teams” in this tournament, it will be held during the season, and they will be countries only — no Team North America and Team Europe.
According to the league’s release, the World Cup of Hockey 2028 will be played on NHL-sized rinks using NHL rules and officiated by NHL officials.
From the league’s release:
“International best-on-best competition is very important to our Players – representing their countries on the ice is in their DNA — and hockey fans love it,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “Resuming Olympic participation next season and staging a World Cup of Hockey in February 2028 will provide expanded opportunity for more players to represent more nations in best-on-best competition. With this tournament – and the World Cup’s return to regular rotation – the NHL and NHLPA take a major step in our joint commitment to international hockey.”
Timing changes to NHL games?
This caught my eye on Wednesday night during the first game of the 4 Nations Face-Off:
As mentioned earlier this week, the TV timeouts are 30 seconds longer in the 4 Nations. And the intermissions one minute shorter. it's something the NHL may do for the 2025-26 season
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 13, 2025As far as the game experience goes, this would make the sprint for the bathrooms at the United Center a little more hectic. But I’m sure the players would be cool with having a little extra time during periods to collect themselves if the tradeoff is slightly shorter intermissions. We’ll see if/when the NHL makes this a permanent change to regular-season games.
CBA negotiations
When Bettman spoke with the media on Wednesday he’s supremely confident the league and NHLPA will have a new Collective Bargaining Agreement sorted out well before the Sept. 2026 deadline. Which is awesome, because at this point in the larger sports world the NHL cannot afford another work stoppage.
We already found out the league and players have negotiated cap numbers for the next three years — with massive jumps. That’s a great sign that the ceiling and floor have been negotiated. One would have to think the biggest remaining hurdle will be a discussion of escrow. From there, the NHL appears to be in great shape.
Bettman on CBA talks, he anticipates the constant lines of communication and the relationship growth between the NHL/NHLPA leading to a deal at some point. Adds formal negotiations haven’t started yet. Walsh says it won’t be “too much longer” before talks shift to negotiations. t.co/5ldmZk99D9
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 12, 2025As a reminder, Bettman has apparently already shared that he plans on retiring at some point. Respectfully, I hope the next CBA is strong enough and has enough term to it that this is the last time Bettman has to go to the negotiating table with the players. It would be a great final legacy piece if he can truly leave the game in a great place with the relationship between the league and players healthy and strong.
Odds & Ends
Defenseman Shea Theodore left Canada’s first game of the 4 Nations Face-Off on Wednesday night. After the game, Canada head coach Jon Cooper said his tournament is over because of the injury. On Thursday morning, the Golden Knights announced that he’s considered week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Players participating in the 4 Nations Face-Off are reportedly getting an “appearance fee” and the winning team will split an additional chunk of money.Sidney Crosby was awarded a new luxury watch – either Rolex or IWC – for being selected as player of the game.#NHLPA's Ron Hainsey cooked up the gift as a nice little touch for the players in each #4Nations game.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 13, 2025 News broke on Wednesday that Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson has changed agents from Andrew Maloney to Judd Moldaver and Olivier Fortier of Wasserman. Dobson is a restricted three agent after this season and will likely be looking for a nice raise from his current $4M cap hit. He’s been a new name in trade rumors recently. At The Athletic, Scott Wheeler released his updated rankings of prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft on Thursday. The folks at NHL.com took a look at the top candidates for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award on Thursday. Blackhawks prospect and Minnesota defenseman Sam Rinzel is mentioned.Top candidates for 2025 Hobey Baker Award as best player in NCAA ⤵️ t.co/xKEE0Gbf1p
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) February 13, 2025 Sam Rosen is a legitimate gem and legend. This is his final season on the mic for the Rangers. They announced on Thursday that they’ll celebrate his iconic career on March 22.SALUTE TO SAM.Join us in celebrating a lifetime of memories as we honor legendary Rangers play-by-play announcer Sam Rosen on March 22: t.co/EF03nS1PaB pic.twitter.com/Qy6o3y1PrA
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 13, 2025 Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Around the NHL: World Cup Coming Back, CBA Update, Timing Changes Coming? More )
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