NHL Playoff Salary Cap Breakdown + LTIR Updates

Episode 9 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show features PuckPedia founder Hart Levine, who breaks down how a rising salary cap, the league’s new playoff cap rules, and LTIR management are reshaping the NHL.

“We’re seeing fewer seven- and eight-year deals. Players are choosing shorter contracts to bet on a rising cap.”

Levine highlights how stars like Connor McDavid, and Jack Eichel are leaving long-term flexibility on the table, aiming to maximize earnings as the cap climbs toward historic highs. It’s a shift that mirrors the NBA model — shorter contracts, bigger bets, and more control for the players.

“The projection is that the cap could be $113.5 million by 2027 — and possibly $125 million within four years.”

He also dives into the NHL’s new playoff salary cap — a major change that forces teams to stay compliant with the same $95.5M ceiling for their 20 dressed players. Gone are the days of stashing stars on LTIR all season only to activate them in Game 1 without penalty.

“Now, every team has to think differently about depth. An expensive backup might need to be scratched, or a lower-cap depth player could suddenly become a lot more valuable.”

From Florida’s LTIR puzzle with Aleksander Barkov, to Vegas’ uncertainty around Alex Pietrangelo, to Edmonton’s razor-thin margins, Hart unpacks how contenders will navigate these cap mechanics in real time.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan trying to understand the numbers or just curious about how contracts and cap rules shape the game, this episode is packed with insights you won’t find anywhere else.

Watch Episode 9 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show featuring Hart Levine on YouTube

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