NHL teams may soon have the ability to move their young prospects into professional hockey earlier than before.
According to insider Frank Seravalli, the updated collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and NHLPA, which was approved on Tuesday, includes a clause enabling each NHL team to assign one 19-year-old player from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate annually.
Seravalli also noted that players who are 18 years old will not be eligible for this new rule. The provision is set to become effective in the 2026-27 season, coinciding with the start of the new CBA.
This rule is among numerous changes reportedly part of the new agreement. Other anticipated changes include shortening the maximum contract duration by one year, introducing a salary cap specifically for the playoffs, and a plan to potentially expand the regular season schedule to 84 games.
