The current NHL collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is set to expire in September 2026, a point of concern for many who have been closely following the sport over the past decade. However, in a notable development during the summer, NHL owners and the NHL Players Association reached an agreement on the framework of the new deal. While the complete Memorandum of Understanding has not yet been released to the public, NHL insiders report an intriguing change: each NHL team will be permitted to assign one 19-year-old prospect to their AHL team each season, impacting a maximum of 32 players annually.

Under the current CHL-NHL agreement, players drafted from one of the Canadian major junior leagues—namely the OHL, WHL, or QMJHL—cannot be assigned to the AHL or ECHL until they either turn 20 or complete four seasons in the CHL. However, the new CBA's age-based rule allows for significant flexibility. This change could benefit prospects like Vancouver Canucks forward Braeden Cootes, who will turn 19 in February 2026, allowing him the opportunity to play with the Abbotsford Canucks if the franchise decides the WHL is no longer optimal for his development. Moreover, this rule could enable freshly drafted CHL players, such as 2026 top prospect Ryan Roobroeck, to transition directly to the AHL without having to return to junior play, should they turn 19 shortly after the draft.

This development option represents a crucial advancement for CHL-affiliated prospects, providing an alternative route for those who might be too advanced for junior hockey but not quite ready for the NHL. Reflections on past cases, such as Dylan Strome, illustrate the potential benefits of the new rule. Strome, who was often deemed too skilled for the OHL yet not prepared for NHL competition, might have found his career trajectory altered for the better had such pathways been available. Recent instances, such as Cole Perfetti's assignment to the Manitoba Moose during the pandemic and Shane Wright's exceptional case permitting him to play for the AHL's Coachella Valley Firebirds, underscore this need for a tailored developmental path. The new clause allowing one assigned player per organization is expected to streamline this process, enabling teams to keep a closer eye on their top prospects while also providing them with valuable AHL experience.