NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says the league and its union are in "really good shape" with negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Speaking ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, he added that this round of talks with NHL Players' Association executive director Marty Walsh are "no comparison" to past CBA discussions.

"We are having very constructive, professional, cordial dialogue," Bettman said Wednesday. "We started a little bit later than we had anticipated for a variety of reasons on both sides, so I don't have an announcement to make that we have a deal."

The current CBA, which was extended during the COVID-19 pandemic with the NHL's financial situation on shaky ground, is set to expire Sept. 15, 2026.

"We

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