NHL Teams Finalize Eight-Year Contracts Ahead of New CBA Deadline

NHL teams are rushing to sign players to eight-year contracts before a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) takes effect at midnight, which will limit contract extensions with a player's own team to seven years and free agency signings to six years. The new CBA also restricts signing bonuses to no more than 60% of the total contract value. Teams like the Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils, and Carolina Hurricanes have finalized deals, including Ryan Leonard's $84 million extension with the Capitals.