The NHL wants to agree with the Players Association (NHLPA) on postponing the expiration of player contracts this summer until the actual end of the 2019/20 season.
According to existing rules, player contracts expire on June 30. The next day, July 1, the free agent market opens in the league. Washington goalkeeper Braden Holtby, St. Louis captain Alex Pietrangelo and Arizona forward Taylor Hall are on the list of players who would typically be able to sign new contracts on July 1. This contract extension mechanism can be used if the NHL season resumes after it was suspended on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is still unknown whether it will be applied to the contracts of coaches and club employees who do not have their own union.
