NHL Announces Future Salary Cap Projections

NHL Announces Future Salary Cap Projections

Unless you live under a rock, the NHL salary cap is going to skyrocket in the next few years. The days where it could barely stay in the $80’s is about to be long gone. The immediate effect is that GMs who put guys on longer-term overpays can feel a little better about themselves. As well, contenders can breath a little easier when it comes to keeping their teams together. Unless you’re Chris MacFarland who nonsensically gave away Mikko Rantanen despite being readily available to bring him back. You can see the most recent projections below:

New:

NHL/NHLPA have released cap estimates for next three seasons:

2025-26: $95.5M
2026-27: $104 M
2027-28: $113.5M

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 31, 2025

Currently at $88 million, a $7.5 million increase in cap space for every team is a lot. Especially when you consider that guys like the aforementioned Rantanen and Mitch Marner are free agents this Summer. They are in prime position to receive a massive payday as everyone reacts to Leon Draisaitl begins to get paid $14 million a year.

There is also a very nice second level of UFAs on the block. Brock Boeser, Claude Giroux, and Nikolaj Ehlers will all get paid very nicely as of this Summer. Of course, my man Brock Nelson is in that boat too. His hometown Minnesota Wild will probably have an edge in negotiations but that’s another story for another day.

Unique Circumstances?

Another factor that should be considered is the Four Nations tournament coming up later in February. While the top players in the league face off, the rest of the NHL will get a very nice break in the middle of the seasons. Guys can rest up and give themselves the chance to finish the regular season strong. It’s a mini olympics and while there is plenty of conversation that has come from it, it’s yet another dynamic to add to this unique season.

The real winners of this news are the tax-free teams. The Panthers, Stars, and Golden Knights of the world are already some of the most well-run organizations. Now, they have even more spending power to either keep guys running out of the contract or add guys on a nice discount. Of course, there will be some egregious contracts handed out as well. That’s just the nature of the beast. But a climbing cap ceiling will hopefully serve to spark excitement and engagement in the NHL.

The Avalanche Clearly Didn’t Consult Nathan MacKinnon Before Trading Rantanen

If it wasn’t going to be exciting enough, you need to tune into the trade deadline in the next five or six weeks. Having these numbers available will change GM’s approaches and be the preview for what should be an explosive offseason.

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