A top NHL coach has highlighted a pressing challenge for teams under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement, noting that the window for securing key roster spots has grown even tighter than previously expected. With the season set to begin soon, the financial constraints outlined in the deal are forcing clubs to make critical decisions earlier than in past years. The shift could reshape how teams approach free agency and contract negotiations, potentially leaving some players in limbo as squads scramble to balance payrolls. The implications extend beyond individual contracts, as general managers now face heightened pressure to act swiftly before the deadline.

Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery, whose team plays its opener at Carolina on Oct. 2, pointed out that the runway is even shorter than that, though. Under the new CBA, players with at least ...