Want to create an interactive transcript for this episode?
Podcast: Locked On Capitals - Daily Podcast On The Washington Capitals
Episode: NHL CBA Shakeup Rocks the League - What It Means for the Capitals + Kuznetsov’s Return
Description: The NHL and NHLPA are finalizing a new CBA framework that could be announced by the 2025 Draft. Major changes include an 84-game schedule beginning in 2026–27, shorter four-game preseasons, reduced contract term limits (7 years max for re-signings, 6 for free agents), elimination of deferred salary deals, and a new postseason salary cap rule to prevent LTIR abuse. Teams will also now carry full-time emergency backup goalies, ending the era of local stand-ins.Meanwhile, former Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov is set to return to the NHL after a year in the KHL, with his agent confirming ongoing talks with multiple te...