The NHL Players Association announced Monday it has declined the opportunity to reopen its collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA does not expire until Sept. 15, 2022.
"While players have concerns with the current CBA, we agree with the League that working together to address those concerns is the preferred course of action instead of terminating the agreement following this season," NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said.
"We have been having discussions with the League about an extension of the CBA and expect that those talks will continue."
The original 10-year deal was ratified in 2013, but the players association could've decided by Monday to let it expire in 2020, forcing the two sides to come to a new agreement over the next year to avoid a work stoppage.