NHL Salary Cap Set for next 3 seasons

NHL Salary Cap Set to Rise Significantly Over Next Three Seasons

The NHL and NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) agreed to significant increases to the league's salary cap over the next three seasons, marking a major shift following several years of slower cap growth.  The current 24-25 season has a salary cap of $88 million. As first reported by Elliotte Friedman, the projected cap figures are:

• 2025-26: $95.5 million
• 2026-27: $104 million
• 2027-28: $113.5 million

These increases reflect the league’s strong revenue growth, driven by rising media rights deals, increased sponsorships, and overall financial recovery following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The NHL’s cap had remained relatively flat from 2020 through 2024, due to both decreased pandemic revenues, and the suppressed cap amount as required by the 2020 CBA. 

For teams and players alike, this rise in the salary cap opens new opportunities. General managers will have greater financial flexibility to sign players, while players will benefit from higher salaries and more lucrative long-term deals.

With the cap set to surpass $100 million by the 2026-27 season, the NHL is entering a new era of cap growth, where contracts will increase and escalate at rates not yet seen.