260-game threshold · roster construction · contract mechanics
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The AHL veteran rule (2026-27)
A team may dress a maximum of 6 skaters (non-goaltenders) per game with 260+ career professional games.
Professional games = NHL + AHL + qualifying elite European leagues (SHL, Liiga, KHL, Czech Extraliga, DEL, Swiss National League), excluding games played while junior-eligible.
A player must also have turned 25 by July 1 of the current season to count against the limit.
Totals lock at the start of the season — crossing 260 mid-season doesn't change status until the following year.
The old 260–320 "veteran exempt" second tier was eliminated in the CBA bargained after 2025-26. It's now a flat 6-veteran cap.
Source: AHL/PHPA development rule as reported by Inside AHL Hockey, Sound of Hockey, and DK Pittsburgh Sports.