Jun 28, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman welcomes fans to the 2024 NHL Draft at The Sphere. MandatoryGary Bettman

nhl

NHL, NHLPA Announce Salary Cap Projections Through 2027-28

The NHL and NHLPA unveil updated salary cap figures, providing teams with a roadmap for financial planning over the next five seasons.

Jun 28, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman welcomes fans to the 2024 NHL Draft at The Sphere. MandatoryGary Bettman

The NHL and NHLPA have announced official salary cap numbers for the next three seasons, giving teams a clear look at their financial future. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the cap will rise significantly in the coming years. Starting next season, the current $88 million cap will jump to $95.5 million, followed by increases to $104 million in 2026-27 and $113.5 million in 2027-28.

While these figures are subject to minor adjustments, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports that the numbers represent a formal agreement rather than mere projections. These increases show faster year-over-year growth compared to recent seasons, with the cap rising by an average of about 9% annually instead of the usual 5%.

The @NHLPA and @NHL announce team payroll ranges for the next three seasons. https://t.co/mvMyW824qI pic.twitter.com/NMg1sBw3c7
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 31, 2025

The cap floor, which is the minimum a team must spend, will also rise significantly—from $65 million this season to $70.6 million in 2025-26, $76.9 million in 2026-27, and $83.9 million in 2027-28. The floor is always set at 85% of the midpoint between the cap ceiling and the floor.

Also Read : Montreal Canadiens Reassign Rafael Harvey-Pinard to Laval Rocket

However, the league’s minimum player salary, currently $775,000, is not tied to the cap and will need to be renegotiated during the upcoming collective bargaining agreement (CBA) talks. For now, it will remain $775,000 for next season, the last under the current CBA.

These higher caps will give players, especially free agents, more negotiation leverage. For example, a player with a $10 million annual cap hit today would see their deal worth the equivalent of $10.9 million in 2025-26, $11.8 million in 2026-27, and $12.9 million in 2027-28. This jump benefits both top-tier stars like Connor McDavid and mid-range players seeking new contracts.

The immediate $7.5 million increase in the cap for next season will be the largest year-over-year jump in the salary cap era, surpassing the previous record of $6.4 million in 2008-09. By announcing these figures years in advance, the league has given teams and players a valuable tool for planning contracts and negotiations.

NHL

NHLPA

Anamika Shrivastava

nhl

I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!