The NHL's Hard Salary Cap is Going Way Up

Some good news hockey fans as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed this week that the salary cap for the 2024-25 season will be going up a reasonable amount.

Bettman stated it is very preliminary, however, there's a chance the cap goes up to $88 million next season. The cap for the 2023-24 season is $83.5 million. It's the second year in a row where it's gone up just $1 million between seasons.

Back in 2022, Bettman projected a nice bump in the cap would be coming and once again, he's going to deliver. There's been some rumors stating in three years, the cap could be north of $95 million.

Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff confirms that Bettman added that the escrow debts that the players still owe the owners will be paid off this season and the $50 million debt is no longer on the books. 

The cap going up this much is going to help out a number of teams who are hard pressed financially, including the Toronto Maple Leafs who have William Nylander to re-sign, among others. Teams like the Winnipeg Jets and Tampa Bay Lightning are also going to benefit next summer as business just became a little bit easier thanks to some deeper pockets.

Photo credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports