NHL/NHLPA announce Salary Cap increases for the next 3 seasons (2025-26: $95.5M, 2026-27: $104M, 2027-28: $113.5M)

[LTIR]

I'm happy the players are making more money because the owners are obviously making more money and I pay to watch players.

Well, I pay watch my team win and in a cap world I do care if players are taking discounts to keep the team competitive and balanced. Don't really care about how much owners or media is making.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

More money for overpayments.

 

[Bruins4Lifer]

Arizona did way better than I would have thought.

 

[rojac]

Yup! I wonder how they factored that in their new projections? Do they have a extension that is close to being announced? I know Bettman was in talks with Sportsnet since Nov/Dec



They should increase the ELC yes but I do wonder... Those frugal teams who rebuild need this. The more the gap between the highest revenue generators vs the low revenue generators will stress the system.

The current CBA expires before the 26/27 season. I just wonder what they do to change some of the context to keep the parity they like (Betman). Then you wonder when Betman retires.... I bet you his retirement happens after the new CBA.

The exclusive two month window for Rogers to negotiate a renewal of their current Canadian TV rights started January 1.

It was stated that the NHL and NHLPA were going to start negotiating the new CBA in February 2025 with a goal of having it done by June. I think if they meet that goal, it's possible that they agree to put it into effect a year early, that is, for the 2025-2026 season.

I think Bettman's won't retire until at least a year or two into the new CBA. I think he's going to want to handle the awarding of teams 33 and 34 and have at least plans in place with the BOG for expansion to 36 teams.

 

[golfortennis1]

I'm failing to see how this is a good thing as a fan other than the fact that teams will have more cap space. I paid around $9 for a shitty hot dog at an oilers game last week, so if Canadian teams have to pay over $150 million CAD to ice a roster what is that hot dog gonna cost me in the future???

So don't buy the hot dog?

IMO, the only things you can complain about their prices are the tickets, and maybe parking. Tickets cause, well, y'aint getting in without one. Parking is a maybe cause you gotta get there, but there are options. The rest is optional. No one is forced to buy beer or food at a rink, or hats, jerseys, or whatever.

In actuality refusing the hot dog(etc.) sends the message.

Sometimes you just gotta say no. Remember too you're a customer, and when the business provider fails to provide value, you cease doing business. Teams, media, etc., perpetuate the "fan" thing so that you think you're "part of a tribe" or have some "duty" to a piece of laundry. But ultimately, they are a business that is looking to separate you from your money, same as Apple, Amazon, Microsoft or P&G. Why should an NHL team be treated differently than those companies when you are paying the money?

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Good. In reality the cap should be higher than half the teams are willing to spend. The NHL has a massive parity problem, as over a quarter of the league hasn't been to the playoffs in 5 years, which is frankly horrible, and by far the worst of the big 4 leagues. Rebuilding is way too difficult in this league.

If you consider it a problem that 1/4 of the league has missed the playoffs over the last 5 years, I don’t see how striving for a cap that’s “higher than half the teams are willing to spend” would improve parity?

 

[Greatzsky 99]

Kaprizov is going to sign for > $17M this summer.

Thats to much

 

[Sota Popinski]

Well, I pay watch my team win and in a cap world I do care if players are taking discounts to keep the team competitive and balanced. Don't really care about how much owners or media is making.

In a cap world the players have negotiated a percentage of revenue and my team hasn't had a player like Kaprizov in 20 years so I'd rather pay what it costs to keep him than have 4 Marcus Foligno types. Kaprizov taking less isn't going to eliminate my GMs ability to sign 3rd line players to bad contracts, nor has there ever been a team that didn't overpay players. Complaining about the best player in the world making too much is pathetic

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Thats to much

Not when the cap is $113M.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

McDavid’s extension is gonna be insane

 

[LTIR]

In a cap world the players have negotiated a percentage of revenue and my team hasn't had a player like Kaprizov in 20 years so I'd rather pay what it costs to keep him than have 4 Marcus Foligno types. Kaprizov taking less isn't going to eliminate my GMs ability to sign 3rd line players to bad contracts, nor has there ever been a team that didn't overpay players. Complaining about the best player in the world making too much is pathetic

Sure, then you agree that Kaprizov making 20M+ would be good for the Wild.

 

[Greatzsky 99]

So don't buy the hot dog?

IMO, the only things you can complain about their prices are the tickets, and maybe parking. Tickets cause, well, y'aint getting in without one. Parking is a maybe cause you gotta get there, but there are options. The rest is optional. No one is forced to buy beer or food at a rink, or hats, jerseys, or whatever.

In actuality refusing the hot dog(etc.) sends the message.

Sometimes you just gotta say no. Remember too you're a customer, and when the business provider fails to provide value, you cease doing business. Teams, media, etc., perpetuate the "fan" thing so that you think you're "part of a tribe" or have some "duty" to a piece of laundry. But ultimately, they are a business that is looking to separate you from your money, same as Apple, Amazon, Microsoft or P&G. Why should an NHL team be treated differently than those companies when you are paying the money?

I just think people have to accept, that to watch top level sports live today is a luxury.

 

[Duder54]

All I know with certainty is that GMs will have learned nothing from the past and will hand out stupid contracts faster than we can blink an eye.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Well, I am sure you are hoping Kaprizov will get 22Mx8yr extension

20% of a $104M cap in the summer of 2026 would be $20.6M

I'm not sure what the rule is if he signs his extension this summer, if it could only be a max of 20% of $95.5M which would only be $19.1M

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

McDavid’s extension is gonna be insane

 

[Sota Popinski]

Sure, then you agree that Kaprizov making 20M+ would be good for the Wild.

I think he's a top 5 player in the league so he's earned a max deal in my opinion. I'm certainly not gonna get mad at the player who is the main reason I watch the team.

 

[robertocarlos]

Players will all have a max contract plan.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

Awful news for most teams in that the cap increases by 20 million in a two year span; and it could be more!

A lot of teams are going to get left in the dust.

 

[Bobby9]

How will Winnipeg survive?

 

[Breakers]

you can't have a more perfect set of dynamics falling into place for a Guy like Marner

 

[Sniper99]

More money for overpayments.

"Ok I can overpay this forward by $5 mill, this defenseman by $3 million and this goalie by $4 million" "WE'RE BACK BABY!"

 

[benfranklin]

Those are massive increases. Wow

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

...Buttman & Co. trying to kill small market Canadian teams so he can relocate them to hockey hotbeds like Boise, Idaho...

 

[Canovin]

Winnipeg and Ottawa going to be littered with sponsors all over their jerseys in the next few years to break even

 

[Greatzsky 99]

why all this talk about Kiprizov 20m? Hes not near the others at the top yet.

...Buttman & Co. trying to kill small market Canadian teams so he can relocate them to hockey hotbeds like Boise, Idaho...

Well maybe not intentionally, but it could happen, Columbus might be in danger to