New reports suggest NHL and Gary Bettman are bracing for another lockout
NHL players have been ensuring they get signing bonuses to their contract which hits an all-time high for the 2026 season, in the event of a possible lockout.
Signing bonuses have become an increasingly common feature in NHL player contracts, primarily as a safeguard against potential lockouts. These bonuses ensure that players receive a portion of their salary upfront, even if a lockout cancels the regular season. During a lockout, players typically do not receive their regular salaries. However, signing bonuses, which are paid at the beginning of a contract year, are guaranteed regardless of whether the games are played or not.
The 2004-2005 and 2012-2013 seasons went through lockouts, which led to significant losses for players. In response, agents and players have pushed for contracts that include substantial signing bonuses as a way to mitigate the financial risks associated with potential labor disputes, which we can see hit an all-time high at the start of the 2025-26 season, just as the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires.
From a team's perspective, offering signing bonuses can be a way to attract top talent, as clearly players enjoy receiving a huge chunk of money upfront, while also managing the cap hit more flexibly. Although these bonuses are fully counted against the salary cap, teams can structure player contracts in a way that balances the way they have to pay out their money.
Do NHL players know a lockout is coming, which is why such a high percentage of them secured signing bonuses for the start of the 2025-26 season, or is it purely coincidental? Only time will tell, but fans are praying they don't have to sit through another year without hockey.
Source: TSN
NHL players preparing for labour uncertainty with lockout-protected contracts
| POLL | ||
AOÛT 26 | 108 ANSWERS New reports suggest NHL and Gary Bettman are bracing for another lockout Do you think players have inside info that an NHL lockout is coming? | ||
| Yes | 70 | 64.8 % |
| No | 38 | 35.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Jason Robertson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Chandler Stephenson | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jalen Chatfield | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mikael Granlund | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Roope Hintz | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Wyatt Johnston | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Montour | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| William Nylander | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mitch Marner | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jaden Schwartz | - | 2 | 2 | |
| John Tavares | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jamie Benn | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Evgeny Dadonov | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Yanni Gourde | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Pontus Holmberg | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Fraser Minten | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ryan Poehling | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jack Roslovic | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Daniel Sprong | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Hurricanes | 18 | 14 | 4 | - | 28 | |
Capitals | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 27 | |
Wild | 18 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 27 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Devils | 21 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 25 | |
Stars | 18 | 12 | 6 | - | 24 | |
Golden Knights | 19 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 24 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||