NHL Announces Significant Salary Cap Bump

Friday, January 31, 2025

The NHL salary cap is set to rise significantly over the next three seasons, marking the largest increase in years. 

The cap will jump from $88 million to $95.5 million in 2025-26, followed by increases to $104 million in 2026-27 and $113.5 million in 2027-28. 

This $25.5 million rise over three seasons represents an average annual increase of around 9%, well above the 5% jumps seen in recent years. 

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told TSN’s Pierre LeBrun that the league and NHLPA aimed to provide more certainty for teams and players in long-term planning, adding, "It’s not absolute certainty, but maybe it’s the next best thing."

Along with the cap increase, the salary floor will also rise from $65 million this season to $70.6 million next year, reaching $83.9 million by 2027-28. 

While the cap traditionally rises by a maximum of 5% per season under the current CBA, the league and NHLPA have agreed to exceed that limit. 

This increase will have a major impact on upcoming free agency, with stars like Mikko Rantanen, Mitch Marner, and Brad Marchand set to hit the open market. 

With teams gaining extra spending flexibility, both elite and mid-range players are positioned to secure larger contracts, as agents negotiate based on cap percentage rather than absolute dollar amounts.

Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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