The NHL will implement a playoff salary cap and remove player dress code requirements beginning this season, a person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press.

The league and Players’ Association agreed to those changes as part of a new collective bargaining agreement that begins in September 2026.

The sides opted to make the playoff cap and dress code policy adjustments immediately rather than waiting another year. Extending the regular season to 84 games, reducing the maximum length of contracts and other changes will go into effect in 2026-27.