5 key takeaways from NHL Board of Governors meeting feat. CBJ's cap situation post Johnny Gaudreau's tragic death

Ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season, commissioner Gary Bettman and the board of governors met on Tuesday in New York. The meeting covered many topics, from the season ahead to areas where the league can potentially do better.

There was extensive discussion about the future, including talks on the salary cap, league expansion and potential changes to the season schedule.

With the 2024-25 season right around the corner, let's look at five key takeaways from the board of governors meeting.

5 key takeaways from NHL board of governors meeting

#1. No rush for an expansion

While there has been plenty of talk regarding the possibility of another expansion given the success of the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle Kraken, Gary Bettman said after Tuesday's meeting that there are no talks of a potential expansion.

“We just came off our most successful season in our history, we’ve got collective bargaining to deal with, we’ve got new media arrangements to do in Canada in the next couple of years," Bettman said (h/t Sportsnet). "If something came in and checked all the boxes, and we felt that it might make sense, we might consider it. But we’re not there right now."

#2. Columbus Blue Jackets given leeway following the tragic death of Johnny Gaudreau

After the tragic death of Johnny Gaudreau, the Columbus Blue Jackets won't have to be cap compliant by the start of the season. The Athletic first broke the news, with the league confirming the news following Tuesday's board of governors meeting.

While other teams will have to be cap compliant by the Oct. 7 deadline, the Blue Jackets will have a "reasonable time" before meeting the $65 million cap requirement.

#3. Possibility of a shortened preseason

There has been quite a bit of talk regarding the possibility of the league shortening the preseason amid the slew of injuries sustained in recent weeks, from Patrik Laine and David Reinbacher's lower-body injuries to the most recent injury sustained by Artemi Panarin.

Given that, according to TSN, there was plenty of talk regarding the possibility of the league shortening the preseason. Whether this results in the regular season being extended by an additional few games remains to be seen.

#4. 2026 Olympics

In years past, the league has had a firm stance against players participating in the Olympics. Given the timing of the Winter Olympics and the NHL season, NHL players don't participate in the Olympics.

From the sounds of things, the league and the NHLPA are working on a formal agreement that could allow players to compete for their countries, although so far, details are scarce.

#5. No update on Robin Lehner

Vegas Golden Knights netminder Robin Lehner notably didn't report to training camp, where he was required to undergo a physical leading up to the 2024-25 season.

While missing his training camp physical could lead to a contract termination, GM Kelly McCrimmon previously said that unique circumstances make the situation far less clear-cut. While there's been no resolution, an update reportedly could come later this week.