Gary Bettman And Bill Daly Make A Major Announcement Regarding The Salary Cap For The Next Three Years
Get ready NHL fans, as big changes are on the horizon involving the league's salary cap, as Gary Bettman and Bill Daly made a massive announcement.
The NHL is forecasting a big salary cap increase over three years, in a Friday memo to teams, according to a source, shared with ESPN.
The 2025-26 cap will rise to $95.5 million, with a minimum of $70.6 million, according to the memo, and in 2026-27, will rise to $104 million with a minimum of $76.9 million, and in 2027-28, will rise to $113.5 million with a minimum of $83.9 million.
Today, it stands at $88 million with a minimum of $65 million.
Frank Seravalli is concerned for Canadian teams
NHL insider Frank Seravalli posted on X that this could lead to major problems for Canadian franchises, as the Canadian dollar is at an all-time low, and Canadian teams have to pay their players in USD.
The increase comes off a financial recovery for the NHL, with COVID-19 having frozen the cap for several years, and league revenue at a record $6.2 billion for last season, boosted by attendance expansion, sponsor deals, and relaxed restrictions on sports gambling, helmet sponsorships, and player endorsements.
Small adjustments for 2026-27 and 2027-28 could follow, sources told ESPN, but the league and NHLPA hope to stand pat with these estimates in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
The update brings much-needed transparency for teams with the March 7 trading deadline and free agency in the offseason and comes with the league and NHLPA about to start negotiations for a new CBA in earnest in a matter of weeks, with its current agreement, updated during the pandemic, expiring in September 2026.
Players have long fretted about getting a larger portion in the new agreement.
League commissioner Gary Bettman is optimistic about a harmonious negotiation, even stating Friday that he'd love to make a CBA extension announcement in early June, during the Stanley Cup Final.
