As the NHL and NHLPA enter the penultimate season under its collective bargaining agreement, there’s a new tone emanating from both sides: optimism.

For a league that has experienced three lockouts over the last 30 years, it’s a welcome change. The NHL and NHLPA last negotiated a CBA in 2020 — amid the COVID shutdown, when discussions were bundled with return-to-play protocols. Financials were bleak, especially for a sport quite dependent on gate revenue. In an unprecedented climate, both sides collaborated for solutions. Four years later, they all rebounded in a big way. Revenue hit a record $6.2 billion last season, as the league also set new marks in attendance and saw a spike in sponsorship revenue, thanks to evolving attitudes on sports betting, helmet decals and showcasing individual players’ personalities.

In Sportico’s recent valuations, the average NHL franchise is worth $1.79 billion — a 37 percent increase in just one year.

Last month at a Board of Governors’ meeting, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he’d like to start (and hopefully end) CBA negotiations early, saying “in terms of the relationship, we think we’re in a good place.”

The NHLPA’s new executive director, Marty Walsh, is equally positive these days. “Myself and Gary Bettman have had very open conversations about how this potentially could be laid out,” Walsh told ESPN in a recent interview. “Going in with an open mind, with open dialogue is how I’ve always approached collective bargaining.”

Both sides are motivated to continue momentum. And sources on both sides suggested that if a deal was reached as soon as this spring, there would likely be few changes to the overall structure, just tweaks. But from a player’s perspective, there’s only so often you can ask your boss to re-open your contract and hope to change the terms. So what exactly would they like to achieve?

Walsh agreed to an interview, but declined to speak on specific issues, saying it was premature. Walsh is currently on his annual fall tour – a series of individual union meetings with every team — to canvass players opinions. “Once we assess where we are at and what players feel, we will take next steps after that,” Walsh said.

In the interim, ESPN spoke with 21 veteran players around the NHL to get an early pulse on what issues are important to them. The players were granted anonymity to speak openly. Here is a primer of what topics are on the table and what might be feasible in a new CBA:

The biggest concern for players: Grow the pie

The one item that came up again and again with players was money. “It’s not overly complicated at this point, we need to grow revenue,” one player said. “It’s what all the other sports are doing. We don’t need to be squabbling over points; we need to make the pie larger so we can have a larger slice. This deal has been great for the owners.”

Players cited several examples on how the league’s value has ballooned. Jeff Vinik bought the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010 for a reported $93 million. Vinik recently sold a majority stake of the team, which is now valued at $1.8 billion, per Sportico. Meanwhile players salaries have largely remained stagnant. Florida Panther star Matthew Tkachuk’s cap hit ($9.5 million) is roughly the same as what his father, Keith Tkachuk, was making in the 1999-2000 season for the St. Louis Blues ($10 million).

The NHL and NHLPA currently have a 50-50 split on hockey-related revenue. The salary cap, which is calculated based on HRR, remained largely stagnant through and directly following the pandemic to account for losses — though the league has hinted at bigger jumps the next several seasons. Players are hoping those jumps are sizable.

“Coming out of COVID was tough, and it felt like we took a lot of compromise to get to where we should be,” one player said. “Now it seems like the league has done well with HRR and hopefully that allows us to see the benefits.”

It’s unclear what economic proposals either side will bring to the table. Players uniformly felt they took a cut when the split went from 57-43 to 50-50 in the 2012 CBA. They have no appetite to decrease further, even if the league tries to argue that in other sports like the NBA or NFL, the players’ share is less than 50%. Several players wondered if the NHL could institute a luxury tax.

“We have some owners who would definitely be willing to spend over the cap,” one player said. “We should reward that. And then that money gets spread across all the owners, and for some of the smaller-market teams it puts money in their pocket.”

Players said they would like to receive a cut of future expansion fees as the league flirts with the idea of 34 teams. “We should fight for that, no doubt,” one player said. But, according to sources, that could be a sticking point for the league.

As usual, many players brought up escrow — in which the league withholds a portion of their salary until revenue is accounted at the end of the season – as something they were passionate about eliminating.

“I think a lot of guys get confused or caught up with escrow, but it’s just a mechanism for getting paid,” one player said. “We need to be focusing on the bigger picture. We want to get rid of escrow. I’m sure the owners want to get rid of guaranteed contracts. We all should be focused on how we can bring more attention and dollars to the sport.”

What could it be? The NHL should get another infusion of cash on the new Canadian TV deal, which will kick in for 2025-26. Players were optimistic about the presence of Amazon, which is dabbling with streaming games in Canada and produced an all-access show, Face Off, which got buy-in from players and the league.

Said one player: “I don’t think there’s a silver bullet, or one thing that will help revenue. But all of our energy should be focused on finding new ways to grow our sport.”

The possible tweaks

Throughout the course of the season, when matters are raised by players or at a general manager’s meeting, the answer can be a common refrain: That’s a CBA issue. So what topics since 2020 do the players feel passionately about revisiting?

• The schedule: One of the most intriguing topics expected to be discussed is the schedule. Anything could be on the table, from eliminating the three-day Christmas break to reconsidering the way out-of-division games are scheduled. Restructuring the preseason became a hot topic in September after a rash of high-profile injuries including to Drew Doughty, David Reinbacher and Patrik Laine. One idea that has been floated is trimming the preseason in favor of adding two games to the regular season (putting the total at 84). Players surveyed by ESPN had mixed opinions. “There are teams scheduling eight preseason games and that’s too many,” one player said. “Some of them become s—shows, especially when you see rosters some teams put out. Some teams are playing three [games] in three days.” Veteran players acknowledged that while they generally needed only two or three to feel game-ready, the preseason contests are valuable for prospects to get evaluated. “Our preseason is just too long,” one player said. “We’re almost done with camp. Media day in the NBA was two days ago and they finished earlier than us. It’s insane. I’d take 84 games if we could start earlier.” Others were wary of the expense of a longer regular season. “Hockey is a tough contact sport. Playing those two extra games could be the difference between having a guy in the playoffs or losing him,” one player said. “Also the wear and tear on your body. You may not notice it after two games, but it all adds up. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

• Playoff format: A handful of players want to change the playoff format to a typical 1-8 seeding by conference. “A lot of guys would like to see that change, myself included,” one player said. But according to sources, there have never been substantive discussions about that at Board of Governor meetings. The league believes the format is strong and the Stanley Cup playoffs are the best postseason in sports. It would have to be a major sticking point for players to get addressed.

• “The Jack Eichel issue”: In 2021, Eichel was sidelined with a herniated disc in his neck. He wanted to get an artificial disc replacement, a procedure never performed on another NHL player before. The Sabres preferred a more proven alternative. Under the CBA, teams get final say over a player’s medical care. It caused a massive rift, resulting in Eichel’s trade to Vegas, and an issue many assumed would be brought up in the next CBA. Players uniformly said they should get final say over their medical rights. And while there are some that are super passionate, many view Eichel’s situation as a rare occurrence — and not necessarily an easy tweak. One player noted they’ve actually made big strides in this department. “When I first started [11 years ago], it was super taboo to get a second opinion, like you were disobeying your team,” the player said. “Now they’ve made it so much easier, much more common. We’re in a decent place.” At its core, this CBA clause about final say on medical decisions is really about guaranteed contracts, which players do not want to relent on. Several players advocated for full benefits post-retirement. In the CBA, eligible retired players can enroll in the NHL Health and Benefits Fund and, in certain circumstances, receive a subsidy towards the cost. There have been enhancements on this over the years. For example, the offering used to be a one size fits all policy. Now, it’s more scalable. Some players want further assurances, even if it would be a massive cost. “Healthcare is a huge thing,” one player said. “We have one of the best pensions in major sports but we need an answer for health care and get full benefits.”

• International events: In the past, participation in international events was atop players’ wish list. However with the upcoming 4 Nations Faceoff tournament, commitment (and progress) on scheduling a regular World Cup, and commitment to play in the 2026 Olympics in Milan, players feel they are in a good place. “Feels like the league finally met us on international play. It’s important to players and I think the league also understands its importance for the growth of the sport, even if owners are taking on the risk of a guy getting injured, and dealing with the IOC and IIHF on insurance,” one player said. But for the players it’s still important to get it in writing.

• Rules and equipment: General managers have given the league feedback at their recent meetings that they would like changes to the long-term injury reserve rules, which has allowed some teams to activate players just as the playoffs begin. While some players had mixed opinions here, none felt super passionately that it needed to be addressed — though they knew the league may bring it up. The NHL also will likely discuss equipment mandates, such as neck guards.

• Next-gen ideas: Some players said their agents have bugged them about ideas for the next generation, such as changing the draft age to 19, shortening the draft, or finding an out to the Canadian Hockey League and NHL agreement that stipulates teenagers must be returned to their junior clubs if they aren’t on the NHL roster. The NHL and CHL agreement is separate from the CBA. And with a massive sea change coming – the NCAA is considering changing eligibility rules regarding CHL players – it’s tough to predict what is feasible here. But many of the draft-related ideas have not received traction, according to sources.

What’s next in the process?

Walsh and his top lieutenant Ron Hainsey — a defenseman who retired from the league in 2021 — are continuing their fall tour, which is expected to stretch into December. Discussions on the tour will help shape points of emphasis for negotiations with the league. Walsh said he is in no rush.

“It’s really dictated by the players,” Walsh said. “It depends on where we are with the players, what the players want to do. I mean, this is their association. We’ll talk to the entire team and then we follow up with player reps and follow up individual players who are interested in this stuff. Players are everyday people. They’re busy with life and family and everything else. So some players want to get very engaged and some just want to support their teammates.”

If the sides come to a resolution by June, there is nothing that prevents a new CBA from going into effect before the prior one is completed. So if both parties agree, the new CBA could theoretically begin as soon as next season.

Walsh was hired in February, 2023 after an exhaustive search. He was the longtime mayor of Boston before serving as the U.S. Secretary of Labor. Players on the search committee said they liked Walsh’s political background — his ability to communicate, form relationships and garner support. He’s remained accessible, giving all 750-plus members of the union his cellphone number.

“I think guys are feeling really confident being led by Marty,” one player rep said. “He has good energy, a good feel for the CBA, the league and also how to develop relationships with Gary [Bettman] and work with the league. We know issues are going to come up, but we feel like he’ll get them resolved.”

One question several players wondered: Who will exercise their voice and help in the fight? The NHL’s new marketing campaign is all about Gen Z as Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Connor Bedard become the new faces of the league. In the past, Sidney Crosby has been very opinionated on league issues behind the scenes, then goes through proper channels.

“Other sports that are seeing a lot of success are driven by their stars, and that’s where we want to be,” one player said. “Patrick Mahomes, LeBron James, they’re at the forefront of league issues. That matters.”

Walsh said it was too early to identify which players might be the spokespeople for the union. “Depends on how negotiations are going,” he said.

There’s something to be said for having options. Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off GM Don Sweeney — alongside associate GM Jim Nill — is going to have an abundance of them when it comes to setting his country’s roster for the upcoming tournament.

We’re just under a month away from the Dec. 2 deadline for management of each country — that’s Canada, the USA, Finland and Sweden — to submit their roster of 20 skaters and three goaltenders for the event taking place on Feb. 12-20.

The NHL has eschewed its usual All-Star Game in favor of this tournament, but have no fear: Canada alone will practically carry enough talent to mirror that of any league-wide showcase.

Choosing from the country’s best is a tantalizing thought. Given the fortune of faces to choose from, who will actually make Sweeney’s squad? And which players will be the toughest to leave off the list?

Oh, and — who exactly is going to tend goal for this team?

Each nation announced six players that would be on the team back on June 28. For Canada, that’s defenseman Cale Makar, along with forwards Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, Connor McDavid and Brayden Point.

The countdown is officially on for decision day. The roster itself is bound to contain a surprise (or two) so instead of a full-blown projection, we’re breaking down each position with the skaters most likely to be a lock, and the ones on whom a decision will be hardest.

Centers

The shoo-ins: Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon

Stating the obvious: Canada will be deep down the middle. That’s true whether MacKinnon is lining up there or sliding to the wing (something he has already told reporters he’s open to doing) and Brayden Point ends up in this category. Either way, when you can roll out these three in any capacity on the same lineup card, you’re doing alright.

The tough calls: The fourth center spot for Canada is likely Nick Suzuki‘s to lose. He has a finely tuned 200-foot game and takes on Montreal’s hardest matchups every night, all while elevating his teammates in the process. That’s a well-rounded addition to the roster. However, it won’t be easy for Sweeney to dole out roles here, while also considering who could potentially fill winger slots instead.

Ryan O’Reilly would be an excellent checking-line center option, and has Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe pedigree on his resume. Steven Stamkos also comes with ample winning experience, and his power-play acumen (an accurate bomb of a one-timer) make him a versatile extra piece. His leadership is a valuable commodity, too.

In terms of pure production, Mark Scheifele just scored 42 goals two years ago and he already is averaging over a point per game this season for the red-hot Winnipeg Jets. Anthony Cirelli is another candidate for the fourth-line center role, given his strong start to the season (12 points in 11 games) and, of course, his connection to Canada’s head coach (and Tampa Bay Lightning bench boss) Jon Cooper.

The real conundrum for Canada here is whether they’ll prioritize flash and scoring without a balance of some grit-and-grind energy. Although that could always be found in the country’s stable of superior winger options that we’ll be looking into next. But does Canada need to incorporate a certain physicality to be at its best? Or just allow the fast-paced, free-flowing offense it can easily create be their guide? It’s only a two-week affair we’re talking about. No need for Canada to overthink things … right?

Wingers

The shoo-ins: Brayden Point, Mitch Marner, Sam Reinhart

It was mentioned earlier but should go without saying: Point is a terrific center and could play there too. Reinhart was second in NHL goal scoring last season (with 57 markers) while Marner consistently ranks among the league’s most dynamic playmakers.

This trio is a great point of entry into a long list of difficult decisions.

The tough calls: Zach Hyman could be among the sure things here … if not for a bout of early-season struggles. The Oilers’ winger tallied 54 goals last season — third-most in the league — but has just two points in 11 games in 2024-25. If that trend continues, someone else might leapfrog over Hyman on the depth chart.

The same goes for Quinton Byfield. He’s right on the cusp of this roster. Frankly, he might be the hardest call of all. How Byfield plays the next month could ultimately decide his fate. After putting up 20 goals last season, the 22-year-old is off to a slow start with just five assists in his first 11 games. If Byfield can pad those stats over the next couple weeks with improved play, Sweeney will have to take notice of the young King who can also play center.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is weathering a mediocre opening to this campaign (four points in 11 games) that may see him bumped in favor of someone like Brandon Hagel. The latter would surely get Cooper’s vote given how Hagel has been so important for Tampa Bay, and is having a great season (13 points in 11 games). Alexis Lafreniere‘s scorching start in New York (10 points in 10 games) also puts him firmly on the radar for a spot.

Brad Marchand comes with that get-under-your-skin element Canada may not have elsewhere, and remains productive (with nine points in 12 games so far) even at 36 years old. Not bad. Sam Bennett provides the same sort of sandpaper and Cup-winning history. Would having both Marchand and Bennett be too much of a good thing in that respect?

Mark Stone is another veteran player with a Cup on his resume — and is one of the best defensive forwards in the game — but his on-ice contributions are frequently overshadowed by trips to the injured list.

Mathew Barzal is a point-per-game player who seems to single-handedly keep the offensively challenged Islanders afloat, and he can play at center or on the wing (the 27-year-old transitioned from one position to the other when New York acquired Bo Horvat in 2023). That determination alone might be enough to sway Sweeney in his direction. Barzal hit the long-term injured reserve, and will miss four to six weeks, which obviously impacts the decision-making process here too.

Travis Konecny will get a long look. He’s strung together consecutive 30-goal seasons for Philadelphia, and has seemed to get better year over year.

On the topic of promise, no we haven’t left out/forgotten the youngest of Canada’s burgeoning forward group. Connor Bedard and Wyatt Johnston both deserve serious consideration to make this team. But where do they fit into how Sweeney wants to construct this group? Bedard and Johnston are sensational in their own rights, and can certainly handle themselves against the other club’s best players. This tournament is also an audition of sorts for Canada’s 2026 Olympic team (for which Sweeney and Nill will also be assistant general managers) and putting Bedard and/or Johnston on this stage to see how they do could plant seeds of confidence for what’s to come in 2026.

Defensemen

The shoo-ins: Cale Makar, Devon Toews

Hoo boy. This could be Sweeney’s Mt. Everest in creating Team Canada. It’s simple enough to tap Makar — a four-time Norris Trophy finalist and one-time winner — and his teammate Toews as the nation’s top pairing.

From there, things get tricky.

The tough calls: Noah Dobson seems like an easy pick despite how overlooked his defensive play is following a stellar 2023-24 season. Shea Theodore is in the prime of his career with the Golden Knights, skilled with the puck and a special teams asset. All that should land him a slot. But he’ll have competition.

Theodore’s teammate Alex Pietrangelo makes sense from a pure defense perspective, and he’s an added veteran presence to what could be a relatively young defense corps. Josh Morrissey seems constantly overlooked for how good a player he’s become, and the way he can weave in some offense without sacrificing on the defensive side. Morgan Rielly will be on the long list as well, having made many a past appearance for Team Canada and continuing to perform at a high (and reliable) level.

Evan Bouchard is the real wild card for Canada’s back end. He anchors Edmonton’s power play using the same high-end passing and playmaking that make him a threat at even strength. However, Canada will have Makar for their power-play needs, and other options that can potentially bring more to the mix than Bouchard.

MacKenzie Weegar may lack name recognition, but he’s physical and fiery and that would balance out some of the finesse on which Canada’s blue line will be heavy.

Similar to Bedard and Johnston, Canada has an up-and-coming defensive star in Owen Power who they’ll definitely be testing for the Olympics. Is now the time to see what he’s got on a smaller stage?

It’s also important to note that Drew Doughty — currently sidelined by a broken ankle — is expected to be healthy by the time this tournament gets going. Will he move the needle for Sweeney and steal an extra spot perhaps? We can’t rule out the possibility.

There are almost too many right choices here to make a wrong one for Canada’s defense. The same might not be said for its goaltending.

Goaltenders

The shoo-ins: Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill

If Canada is going to have an Achilles Heel, it’s likely to be goaltending. In contrast to the embarrassment of riches Canada boasts everywhere else, there just aren’t the same number of elite-caliber choices in net.

Binnington is best suited as his country’s No. 1 goalie. The 31-year-old had a superb, and sorely underappreciated, 2023-24 season (.913 save percentage, 2.84 goals-against average) and that was while backstopping a Blues team that was lacking defensively. Binnington also rises to the occasion; it’s the biggest games and most charged-up moments where he seems to thrive (see: St. Louis’ run to a 2019 Stanley Cup victory). That’s good news for Canada.

Hill is an ideal backup. He replaced Logan Thompson as Vegas’ starter during their successful playoff trek to a Cup win in 2023, and had a strong follow-up campaign in 2023-24, with a .909 SV% and 2.71 GAA. He and Binnington would be a fine tandem.

Speaking of Thompson, he might have the inside track as the country’s third-stringer. Despite so-so stats (.876 SV%, 3.21 GAA), Thompson is 4-0-0 in his first season with the Capitals. Will that stave off the remaining competition?

The tough calls: Stuart Skinner would have been an obvious selection for Canada after the way he helped drag Edmonton to Game 7 of the Cup Final last season. But Stuart has been woefully unreliable at times — including out of the gate this season — and with limited spots, every positive or negative counts.

Montreal’s Sam Montembeault seemed like a good pick in theory, but Montembeault has been struggling for the Canadiens as of late and it’s hard to say if he’d perform better surrounded by Canada’s superior defense.

Cam Talbot is an intriguing name in the mix as well; he’s posted decent numbers early on for the Red Wings (.913 SV%, 3.16 GAA) and would bring veteran experience to the room.

Then there’s the poetic element to including Marc-Andre Fleury in this final season of his NHL career. However, Fleury’s numbers haven’t been great (.899 SV% and 2.93 GAA). Ditto for Darcy Kuemper, a solid veteran who’s consistent but unspectacular. That about sums up the majority of Canada’s goaltending options.

In the end, it could come down to two factors: who’s healthy, and who has the hottest hand. Considering all that can change in a month — and again from there — expect Sweeney to have contingency plans in place. He won’t be short on names (in most cases) to sift through, at least.

Right-hander Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals agreed on a three-year, $51 million contract that includes a fourth-year club option and can max out at $72 million, sources told ESPN.

The Royals announced the deal Sunday but did not disclose terms.

Wacha, 33, was expected to opt out of the final year of the two-year, $32 million deal he signed with the Royals last winter but preferred to stay in Kansas City, where he thrived in front of one of baseball’s best defensive teams.

Kansas City likely would have tendered Wacha a qualifying offer, which would have dampened his free agent market, and the sides struck a deal during the five-day quiet period after the World Series during which teams can re-sign their free-agents-to-be. Wacha will nearly double his career earnings with the deal.

Wacha’s nomadic career — he has played for six teams in the past six seasons — has been on the upswing since he turned 30. He found perhaps the best version of himself last year, going 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA in 29 starts, his most since 2017. Wacha and Seth Lugo, his former San Diego Padres teammate, helped stabilize a rotation that also includes All-Star Cole Ragans and drove Kansas City’s evolution from a 56-win team in 2023 to an 86-win playoff team this year.

“I can’t say enough good things about him as a teammate. I really can’t,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said before Wacha’s Game 1 start of the American League Division Series. “He is the most dialed-in pitcher I have ever seen when he’s not pitching. He’s into every pitch. He’s high-fiving guys for keeping the double play in order, for breaking up a double play, for throwing to the right base. He’s into every at-bat when his teammates are up there. He’s looking for things with the other team when he’s on the bench.

“He is the consummate professional.”

Over 166⅔ innings in 2024, Wacha struck out 145, walked 45 and allowed 17 home runs. Armed with one of the best changeups in baseball, Wacha has the 18th-ranked ERA (3.30) among the 80 starting pitchers with at least 300 innings since 2022.

The deal will pay Wacha $18 million in 2025, $18 million in 2026 and $14 million in 2027, with an additional $4 million available in easily reachable performance bonuses, sources said. The club option is for $14 million and includes the same $4 million in incentives and a $1 million buyout.

Kansas City is hoping to fortify its rotation as well as add impact bats this winter. The Royals’ offense struggled in six postseason games — two in a wild-card-round win against Baltimore and four in a division-series loss against New York — hitting .231/.287/.291.

Wacha started Games 1 and 4 against the Yankees, going 4⅔ innings and allowing two runs in the first game and allowing three runs over four innings in his second start.