Rangers set to face several changes as NHL, NHLPA near new CBA agreement
That is just one element of a broader Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) framework the League and players' union are working to get done, with a public announcement possible as soon as Friday ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed Wednesday that the two sides are closing in on an agreement that would extend the current CBA by four years, carrying through the 2029-30 season.
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For those unaware, the CBA is essentially the agreement that governs everything from player salaries and contract lengths to health benefits, scheduling, rules, and travel. The current agreement, signed back in 2013 and extended during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, is set to expire in September 2026.
'This whole process has been trending positive.' Bettman said following the Board of Governors meeting in Las Vegas, where he gave as what he describes as a 'quite extensive' update on the negotiations, 'The relationship is in a great place. (NHLPA head) Marty [Walsh] and I have a terrific relationship. We don't always agree on everything, but it's constructive and professional. And so, I think things are good.'
The two sides are not ready to begin the formal ratification process just yet, as one final issue remains unresolved. Once an understanding is reached, both the Board of Governors and the NHLPA's representatives will need to vote on it before it becomes official.
Reports state that changes could indicate an expanded regular season, new limits on loopholes, adjusted contract term limits, and updates to players benefits and rights.
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Related: Dysfunctional Rangers focused more on 'emotional sh–' than playing hockey last season: Michael Peca
Biggest changes Rangers can expect with new CBA
Dress code no more
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
One change that's likely to spark plenty of debate is the elimination of the NHL's League's long-standing dress code, which would go into effect starting in the 2026-27 season. Hockey is the only one of the four major American sports that requires players to wear suits on game days, and many fans feel it seperates hockey players from the rest — making them look professional and classy.
It's a noticeable difference, especially for teams like the Rangers, when the MSG walk-ins have almost become a fashion show. From Henrik Lundqvist's designer fits to Artemi Panarin's flashy style or Mika Zibanejad's classic look, the MSG hallway often doubles as a runway. The change will open the door for self-expression, something we see in the NBA and NFL all the time, but new territory for a league built on tradition.
Scheduling & structure
Another major change coming in the new CBA is the expansion of the regular season from 82 to 84 games, starting in the 2026-27 season. For the Rangers, that means a more balanced schedule — and more games against division rivals. With the League now at 32 teams, the new format would have the Rangers play four games against every Metropolitan Division opponent, three against teams in the Atlantic, and two against every Western Conference club. That fixes the issue in the schedule where the Rangers only saw two division opponents three times a year.
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To help manage the added games, the preseason would be cut down to four games, and veterans with over 100 NHL games of experience would only be allowed to appear in two of them. It gives younger players more preseason reps, and lessens the wear and tear on more established players.
Contract limits & LTIR changes
The new CBA would also bring changes to contract limits, reducing the maximum deals moving forward. Extensions would be capped at seven years instead of eight, and unrestricted free agents would only be able to sign for a maximum of six years, down from the current seven. For a team like the Rangers with several key players either approaching the end of their contracts or due for an extension, the timing of these implications could be important.
Artemi Panarin is set to hit free agency in 2026, just before the new limits kick in. That means the sides would need to act fast if an eight-year extension is on the table, though that's highly unlikely since Panarin will be 34 at that point. Braden Schneider is another name to watch. He'll be an RFA in 2026 under the new rules, and the Rangers would lose the ability to lock him up for eight years unless a deal is reached beforehand.
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The League is also planning to part ways with the deferred salary structures, a tactic used to spread cap hits out over time. Also, a new playoff salary cap system is expected to limit how teams use the long-term injured reserve (LTIR) loophole to stack rosters before the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Player rights & benefits
Another change is that teams would retain the rights to unsigned draft picks until that player turns 22, regardless of whether they're playing in the NCAA, CHL, or overseas.
Another interesting addition would introduce full-time Emergency Backup Goalie (EBUG) positions. And off the ice, players would get expanded health insurance and post-career support, while playoff bonuses are set to double.
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The fast-food chain reported mixed results for the first quarter of 2025, largely due to a challenging macroeconomic backdrop. In fact, U.S. same-store sales fell for the second straight quarter, posting the largest decline (down 3.6% in Q1 2025) since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfavorable weather and cautious consumer spending impacted McDonald's sales in the first quarter. Nonetheless, McDonald's reaffirmed its full-year guidance, reflecting resilience in a tough backdrop. The company stated that it is working on improving its performance by focusing on value meals, menu innovation, and product launches such as McCrispy Chicken Strips and the reintroduction of snack wraps. Is McDonald's Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold? Last week, UBS analyst Dennis Geiger reiterated a Buy rating on McDonald's stock with a price target of $350. 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See more MCD analyst ratings Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:TXRH) Stock Texas Roadhouse is a casual dining steakhouse chain. The company missed analysts' earnings expectations for the first quarter of Fiscal 2025, as restaurant margins contracted due to commodity inflation and increased wages and other labor expenses. TXRH's comparable restaurant sales increased by 3.5% in Q1 2025. The company indicated that trends were improving, with comparable restaurant sales rising 5% in the first five weeks of Q2 FY25. Additionally, Texas Roadhouse increased its menu prices by about 1.4% in early April. Is TXRH a Good Stock to Buy? Recently, Texas Roadhouse announced the departure of CFO Chris Monroe from the company and the appointment of Vice President of Finance Keith Humpich as the interim CFO. 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Cava Group (NYSE:CAVA) Stock Mediterranean fast casual restaurant chain Cava Group delivered better-than-expected earnings for the first quarter of 2025, with revenue growing 28% to $332 million. The company's same-store sales increased by 10.8%, outperforming several peers in the industry. Despite the strong results, CAVA stock has declined 25% year-to-date and 9% over the past year owing to concerns over valuation and macro uncertainties. Looking ahead, management aims to capitalize on ample opportunities to expand. The company expects to open 64 to 68 new restaurants this year, a slight increase from the previous forecast of 62 to 66 stores. Cava Group operated 382 restaurants as of the end of Q1 2025 and aims to increase its footprint to at least 1,000 restaurants by 2032. Is CAVA Stock a Buy? Recently, Stifel analyst Chris O'Cull reiterated a Buy rating on Cava Group stock but lowered the price target to $125 from $175. The 5-star analyst sees the pullback in the stock as a buying opportunity. Despite near-term challenges, the analyst believes that McDonald's long-term outlook is intact, supported by unit expansion, increasing brand awareness, and improving average unit volumes. He expects McDonald's long-term revenue growth in the 17% to 20% range, driven by a 15% unit growth and mid-single-digit same-restaurant sales (SRS) gains. O'Cull acknowledged near-term softness in CAVA's SRS growth, particularly in the second quarter, due to tough comparisons with the prior-year quarter, which included the launch of the popular Grilled Steak. The analyst now expects Q2 SRS of 5.5%, below the Street's estimate of 6.9%. That said, he noted the strength in CAVA's fundamentals, calling the dip in the stock 'a dish worth grabbing.' O'Cull expects Cava Group's average unit volumes (AUVs) to grow faster than previously expected, fueled by brand expansion and improved performance at new locations. He expects the company's EBIT margin to improve to the range of 9% to 10% by 2030 from an estimated 4.8% in Fiscal 2025, driven by scale efficiencies. CAVA stock price target of $112.92 indicates 34% upside potential. Conclusion Currently, Wall Street is cautiously optimistic about all three restaurant stocks discussed above. Currently, they see higher upside potential in CAVA stock than in MCD and TXRH stocks. Analysts view the pullback in CAVA stock as an attractive buying opportunity to build a position and gain from the company's long-term growth potential.
