NHL, NHLPA To Increase Salary Cap Significantly Over Next Three Seasons

The NHL logo is seen on the netting of a goal in an Oct. 20, 2022, photo.

Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

The NHL’s salary cap is expected to rise significantly over the next three seasons.

The NHL and NHLPA announced they agreed on annual increases to the salary cap’s upper limit through the 2027-28 season, subject to the collective bargaining agreement being in effect beyond the 2025-26 season.

The increase from 2023-24 to 2024-25 was $4.5 million. The jump from 2026-27 to 2027-28 will more than double that amount.

With the agreement, these are expected to be the new upper limit of the cap:

2025-26: $95.5 million, a $7.5-million increase
2026-27: $104 million, an $8.5-million increase
2027-28: $113.5 million, a $9.5-million increase

The lower limits are expected to be $70.6 million in 2025-26, $76.9 million in 2026-27 and $83.9 million in 2027-28. The projected rangers for 2026-27 and 2027-28 could have minor increases or decreases, according to the announcement.

The NHL and NHLPA also noted they intend to discuss other elements of the CBA that may need to be modified beyond 2025-26.

The increased predictability of the salary cap for the next three seasons could have a significant impact on players needing new contracts, particularly stars.

Toronto Maple Leafs right winger Mitch Marner ($10.903-million current cap hit) and Carolina Hurricanes trade acquisition Mikko Rantanen ($9.25-million cap hit) are pending UFAs and will likely seek raises.

In 2026, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid ($12.5-million), Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel ($10 million) and New York Rangers left winger Artemi Panarin (about $11.64 million) are pending UFAs.

And in 2027, pending UFAs include the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov ($9.5 million), Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes ($7.85 million), Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar ($9 million) and Golden Knights’ Mark Stone ($9.5 million).