Rumblings: Latest on cap, expansion and outdoor games
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman gave an update on salary cap, expansion and outdoor games after the board of governors meeting in Columbus.
www.espn.comHere’s the latest across reputable outlets on the NHL salary cap:
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Cap ceiling projections have continued to rise in recent years, with discussions of increases in the mid-to-high single digits for the 2025-26 horizon and beyond. Several reports cited potential caps in the range of about $95 million to $104 million for 2025-26 and 2026-27, with further steps up anticipated through 2027-28 as outlined in league discussions and post-CBA projections. [cite ][cite ][cite ]
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Specific announced benchmarks: in 2024-25 the cap was set around the high $80s (roughly $88 million), and multiple outlets noted that the cap could rise by approximately $7–9 million for 2025-26, followed by more sizable increases in subsequent seasons contingent on the collective bargaining agreement and revenue growth. [cite ][cite ]
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For teams and fans, the trend has been toward greater payroll flexibility and larger contracts for top players as the cap climbs, with insiders signaling continued upward movement if revenues stay strong post-pandemic normalization. This has been echoed by outlets tracking cap projections and major reports on the next CBAs. [cite ][cite ]
One quick note: cap figures and timelines can shift with new CBA negotiations and league revenue data. If you’d like, I can pull the most current single-number update and summarize its source, and I can also provide a short chart showing projected cap levels year by year based on the latest reported estimates. [cite ]