NHL Salary Cap By Team
The salary cap for the 2024-25 season is $88,000,000. Explore each team's cap space, contract counts, dead cap hits, and roster composition at a glance.
| Team | Projected Cap Hit |
Projected Space |
Current Space |
Deadline Space |
Dead Space |
Active Roster |
Retained Left |
Contracts | Forwards | Defense | Goalies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western | Central | $93,125,320$93.13M | $-5,125,320$-5.13M |
$4,761,500$4.76M |
$4,761,500$4.76M | $476,000$476K | 22/23 |
|
46/50 | 64%
|
35%
|
4%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $85,238,022$85.24M | $2,761,978$2.76M |
$7,685,503$7.69M |
$12,626,183$12.63M | $5,188,889$5.19M | 21/23 |
|
47/50 | 59%
|
27%
|
4%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $87,922,593$87.92M | $77,407$77K |
$215,393$215K |
$353,860$354K | $1,383,333$1.38M | 23/23 |
|
45/50 | 51%
|
35%
|
13%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $91,881,803$91.88M | $-3,881,803$-3.88M |
$1,950,000$1.95M |
$1,950,000$1.95M | - | 22/23 |
|
49/50 | 62%
|
30%
|
14%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $88,724,812$88.72M | $-724,812$-725K |
$2,049,077$2.05M |
$2,049,077$2.05M | - | 20/23 |
|
46/50 | 64%
|
32%
|
6%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $84,712,324$84.71M | $3,312,347$3.31M |
$9,216,966$9.22M |
$15,142,158$15.14M | $512,500$513K | 23/23 |
|
47/50 | 59%
|
28%
|
9%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $85,903,873$85.90M | $2,134,558$2.13M |
$5,939,640$5.94M |
$9,757,979$9.76M | $7,954,167$7.95M | 23/23 |
|
49/50 | 53%
|
31%
|
4%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $90,523,322$90.52M | $-2,523,322$-2.52M |
$2,201,562$2.20M |
$2,201,562$2.20M | $100,000$100K | 23/23 |
|
48/50 | 72%
|
26%
|
4%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $88,739,141$88.74M | $-739,141$-739K |
$105,000$105K |
$105,000$105K | $1,225,000$1.23M | 23/23 |
|
47/50 | 59%
|
32%
|
9%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $82,168,011$82.17M | $5,831,989$5.83M |
$16,228,143$16.23M |
$26,660,520$26.66M | $1,794,444$1.79M | 23/23 |
|
45/50 | 44%
|
41%
|
7%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $91,264,691$91.26M | $-3,264,691$-3.26M |
$5,819,167$5.82M |
$5,819,167$5.82M | $5,291,250$5.29M | 23/23 |
|
45/50 | 63%
|
19%
|
17%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $87,055,364$87.06M | $944,636$945K |
$2,628,553$2.63M |
$4,318,337$4.32M | $11,691,429$11.69M | 23/23 |
|
45/50 | 48%
|
32%
|
6%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $86,784,022$86.78M | $1,215,978$1.22M |
$3,383,590$3.38M |
$5,558,755$5.56M | $1,808,897$1.81M | 21/23 |
|
45/50 | 62%
|
27%
|
7%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $87,250,999$87.25M | $767,147$767K |
$2,134,671$2.13M |
$3,506,959$3.51M | $1,741,667$1.74M | 21/23 |
|
45/50 | 59%
|
21%
|
16%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $100,925,706$100.93M | $-12,925,706$-12.93M |
$3,650,000$3.65M |
$3,650,000$3.65M | $3,165,000$3.17M | 23/23 |
|
47/50 | 75%
|
34%
|
2%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $87,395,986$87.40M | $1,268,584$1.27M |
$3,529,972$3.53M |
$5,799,240$5.80M | - | 22/23 |
|
44/50 | 50%
|
38%
|
8%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $87,261,661$87.26M | $738,339$738K |
$2,054,507$2.05M |
$3,375,262$3.38M | $850,000$850K | 22/23 |
|
43/50 | 56%
|
30%
|
13%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $70,784,635$70.78M | $17,215,365$17.22M |
$47,903,626$47.90M |
$78,698,813$78.70M | $1,875,000$1.88M | 23/23 |
|
44/50 | 56%
|
21%
|
3%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $82,375,039$82.38M | $5,624,961$5.62M |
$15,652,066$15.65M |
$25,714,109$25.71M | $2,253,334$2.25M | 23/23 |
|
48/50 | 42%
|
44%
|
5%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $90,480,116$90.48M | $-2,480,116$-2.48M |
$4,598,333$4.60M |
$4,598,333$4.60M | $3,378,740$3.38M | 22/23 |
|
46/50 | 63%
|
36%
|
6%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $81,183,340$81.18M | $6,816,660$6.82M |
$18,968,096$18.97M |
$31,161,872$31.16M | $9,423,573$9.42M | 23/23 |
|
48/50 | 46%
|
25%
|
7%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $85,762,481$85.76M | $2,237,519$2.24M |
$6,226,139$6.23M |
$10,228,657$10.23M | $10,891,667$10.89M | 22/23 |
|
42/50 | 39%
|
33%
|
10%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $87,752,428$87.75M | $643,405$643K |
$1,790,343$1.79M |
$2,941,278$2.94M | $4,575,000$4.58M | 23/23 |
|
44/50 | 52%
|
34%
|
7%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $87,792,664$87.79M | $207,336$207K |
$576,936$577K |
$947,824$948K | $6,566,667$6.57M | 21/23 |
|
46/50 | 59%
|
29%
|
4%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $70,831,384$70.83M | $17,168,616$17.17M |
$47,773,539$47.77M |
$78,485,099$78.49M | $3,651,856$3.65M | 22/23 |
|
45/50 | 47%
|
21%
|
8%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $85,304,854$85.30M | $2,695,146$2.70M |
$7,499,536$7.50M |
$12,320,666$12.32M | $3,559,167$3.56M | 23/23 |
|
46/50 | 51%
|
32%
|
7%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $81,452,139$81.45M | $6,547,861$6.55M |
$18,220,134$18.22M |
$29,933,078$29.93M | $7,805,556$7.81M | 23/23 |
|
44/50 | 49%
|
28%
|
7%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $85,260,196$85.26M | $2,739,804$2.74M |
$7,623,801$7.62M |
$12,524,817$12.52M | $5,466,667$5.47M | 21/23 |
|
41/50 | 53%
|
26%
|
11%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $88,270,466$88.27M | $-270,466$-270K |
$8,225,000$8.23M |
$8,225,000$8.23M | $15,385,126$15.39M | 22/23 |
|
47/50 | 52%
|
24%
|
7%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $69,255,095$69.26M | $18,744,905$18.74M |
$52,159,736$52.16M |
$85,690,994$85.69M | $2,825,000$2.83M | 22/23 |
|
46/50 | 34%
|
35%
|
7%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $87,785,962$87.79M | $214,038$214K |
$595,585$596K |
$978,461$978K | $28,924$29K | 22/23 |
|
48/50 | 58%
|
35%
|
8%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $89,192,736$89.19M | $-1,192,736$-1.19M |
$3,850,000$3.85M |
$3,850,000$3.85M | $4,750,000$4.75M | 21/23 |
|
46/50 | 64%
|
29%
|
2%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern Conference | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Conference | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Atlantic Division | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Metropolitan Division | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Central Division | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pacific Division | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NHL News
Signings
Trades
The Nashville Predators acquired Mark Friedman from the Vancouver Canucks for future considerations
The Utah Hockey Club acquired Samuel Walker from the Minnesota Wild for future considerations
The Dallas Stars acquired Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks for a 2025 1st round pick and conditional 2025 4th round pick
The Vancouver Canucks acquired Marcus Pettersson, and Drew O'Connor from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, Melvin Fernstrom and a conditional 2025 1st round pick
The New York Rangers acquired JT Miller, Erik Brannstrom, and Jackson Dorrington from the Vancouver Canucks for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a conditional 2025 1st round pick
The Calgary Flames acquired Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost from the Philadelphia Flyers for Andrei Kuzmenko, Jakob Pelletier, a 2025 2nd round pick, and 2028 7th round pick
The New York Islanders acquired Scott Perunovich from the St. Louis Blues for a conditional 2026 5th Round Pick
Transactions
Karlsson was called up by Vancouver on Saturday.
Mancini was sent to AHL Abbotsford on Saturday.
Jankowski (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, according to Nick Kieser of 102.5 ESPN Nashville.
Wiesblatt was called up by Nashville on Saturday, per Nick Kieser of 102.5 ESPN Nashville.
Morrow was sent to AHL Chicago on Saturday, according to Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal.
Jaaska was reassigned to AHL Chicago on Saturday, per Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal.
Ponomarev was summoned by Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Injuries
Imama (upper body) won't play against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.
Texier (illness) won't play Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks, per Lou Korac of NHL.com.
Cozens (lower body) is expected to be a game-time decision in Nashville on Saturday, according to Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550.
Insights and Insiders
What Is the NHL Salary Cap?
The NHL salary cap is the total amount that NHL teams may pay for players. The amount set as the salary cap each year depends on the league's revenue for the previous season. As it is a 'hard cap,' there are no exemptions. However, if a player is injured and it's thought that they will miss at least 10 NHL games and 24 days in the season, their team can put them on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). By doing so, they can surpass the salary cap.
The salary cap was introduced to prevent teams with the most revenue signing all the top players, which was becoming a problem in the '90s and early 2000s. For instance, by signing a number of top-performing players and significantly spending more than the majority of other teams, the Detroit Red Wings were able to win three Stanley Cups in that time.
This led to the 2004-05 CBA negotiations, during which the entire season was cancelled — the first time a labor dispute has ever caused a cancellation in a major sports league in North America. At the time of the negotiations, teams were spending around 75 percent of their revenues on salaries — much higher than any other North American sports league. Eventually, they agreed to the general structure that remain today, including the mandatory payment to players in US dollars.
The concept of a salary cap is not new to the NHL. One was first introduced during the Great Depression, at which time the salary cap per team was $62,500 and $7,000 per player.
Salary Cap History
Since its reintroduction in the 2005-06 season, the NHL salary cap had risen every year until the pandemic shortened 2020-2021 season:
| Season | Salary Cap | Salary Floor | Buried Relief |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-2006 | $39,000,000 $39.00M | $23,000,000 $23.00M | $0 $0K |
| 2006-2007 | $44,000,000 $44.00M | $28,000,000 $28.00M | $0 $0K |
| 2007-2008 | $50,300,000 $50.30M | $34,300,000 $34.30M | $0 $0K |
| 2008-2009 | $56,700,000 $56.70M | $40,700,000 $40.70M | $0 $0K |
| 2009-2010 | $56,800,000 $56.80M | $40,800,000 $40.80M | $0 $0K |
| 2010-2011 | $59,400,000 $59.40M | $43,400,000 $43.40M | $0 $0K |
| 2011-2012 | $64,300,000 $64.30M | $48,300,000 $48.30M | $0 $0K |
| 2012-2013 | $60,000,000 $60.00M * | $44,000,000 $44.00M | $0 $0K |
| 2013-2014 | $64,300,000 $64.30M | $47,500,000 $47.50M | $0 $0K |
| 2014-2015 | $69,000,000 $69.00M | $51,000,000 $51.00M | $0 $0K |
| 2015-2016 | $71,400,000 $71.40M | $52,800,000 $52.80M | $0 $0K |
| 2016-2017 | $73,000,000 $73.00M | $54,000,000 $54.00M | $0 $0K |
| 2017-2018 | $75,000,000 $75.00M | $55,400,000 $55.40M | $1,025,000 $1.03M |
| 2018-2019 | $79,500,000 $79.50M | $55,400,000 $55.40M | $1,025,000 $1.03M |
| 2019-2020 | $81,500,000 $81.50M | $60,240,000 $60.24M | $1,075,000 $1.08M |
| 2020-2021 | $81,500,000 $81.50M | $60,200,000 $60.20M | $1,075,000 $1.08M |
| 2021-2022 | $81,500,000 $81.50M | $60,200,000 $60.20M | $1,125,000 $1.13M |
| 2022-2023 | $82,500,000 $82.50M | $61,000,000 $61.00M | $1,125,000 $1.13M |
| 2023-2024 | $83,500,000 $83.50M | $61,700,000 $61.70M | $1,150,000 $1.15M |
| 2024-2025 | $88,000,000 $88.00M | $65,000,000 $65.00M | $1,150,000 $1.15M |
* During the 2012-13 season, there was a lockout. The salary cap was set to $6000000, but NHL hockey teams were allowed to spend a pro-rated $70.200000 for the shortened season.
The salary floor (the minimum that a team must spend as a whole) is 85 percent of the salary midpoint. For the 2021-22 season, the cap floor is $60.200000.
History of the Teams
Originally, there were just six NHL teams, called the Original Six. In the 1967-68 season, six new teams were added. The Original Six formed the East Division and the new six formed the West Division.
In 1974, six more NHL hockey teams joined the league, creating 18 in total. The league then took four teams from the World Hockey Association when it ceased to exist in 1979. With the Cleveland Barons gone in 1978, this brought the total to 21 teams.
There was no further expansion to the league until the '90s. The next new NHL team was the San Jose Sharks in 1991. Another eight were added in the subsequent decade to reach 30 teams by 2000. Finally, in 2016, Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner, announced that another new NHL team — the Vegas Golden Knights — would join the List of NHL Teams, making 31 teams for the 2017-18 season.
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