Recent projections regarding the NHL salary cap have generated excitement among upcoming free agents. Chris Johnston of The Athletic reported that both the NHL and the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) anticipate "significant salary cap bumps" beyond the current ceiling of $88 million for the 2024-25 season. According to Johnston's report, teams might see a salary cap increase to approximately $95.5 million in 2025-26, followed by projections of $104 million for 2026-27, and reaching $113.5 million by the 2027-28 season.

The release from ESPN's Greg Wyshynski highlighted that these payroll ranges are "subject to potential minor adjustments." Notably, the confirmed projections for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons suggest an upward trajectory, indicating that the upper limits of $104 million and $113.5 million could still see increases. As the current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire in September 2026, discussions around the salary cap have become a central topic of interest for teams and players alike.

Although the financial advantage of a higher salary cap primarily benefits free agents, it also provides teams with greater flexibility in their roster management. This increase could alleviate the pressure on franchises nearing the cap limit, allowing them to explore various acquisition strategies. This news follows a statement from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who previously expressed skepticism about speculation suggesting the salary cap could exceed $92.5 million for the upcoming season. Bettman clarified that any alterations to the cap would require discussions between the league and the NHLPA, emphasizing the need for accurate representation of expected figures.