NHLPA won't opt out of current CBA

There's no cause to fear an NHL lockout for at least a few more years, as the NHLPA announced Monday that the union declined its option to reopen the collective bargaining agreement after the 2019-20 season.

The decision means the current CBA will remain in effect through the 2021-22 campaign.

"While players have concerns with the current CBA," NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr said in a statement, "we agree with the league that working together to address those concerns is the preferred course of action instead of terminating the agreement following this season. We have been having discussions with the league about an extension of the CBA and expect that those talks will continue."

The NHL has gone through two work stoppages within the last 15 years. The entire 2004-05 season was wiped out due to a labor dispute, while a lockout limited the 2012-13 campaign to just 48 games.