Mr Viral
You must have seen this coming, but the salary cap is going to rise significantly in the coming years.
In reality, the NHL and the Players’ Association have agreed to raise the cap by $25.5 million over the next three seasons – if nothing changes by then.
Here’s what it will look like.
24-25: $88 million (for reference)
25-26: $95.5 million
26-27: $104 million
27-28: $113.5 million
At a time when the NHL has significant decisions to make (expansion is on the table, the collective bargaining agreement is up for renegotiation, the TV contract is expiring, etc.), seeing such harmony years in advance is a positive sign.
At least in my eyes.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly on today’s salary cap news:
«Both Clubs and Players have sought a certain level of predictability with respect to Payroll ranges from year to year and over time for advance planning capabilities. In reviewing our numbers with the Players’…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 31, 2025
From the teams’ perspective, this is interesting. And for the Montreal Canadiens, who have been responsible with their money in recent years, the leeway will be huge.
Especially in the summer of 2027.
Currently, if we look at this, all contracts except four will leave the salary cap by July 1, 2027: Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Kaiden Guhle.
Here’s what it looks like.
Suzuki: $7.875 million until 2030
Caufield: $7.85 million until 2031
Slafkovsky: $7.6 million until 2033
Guhle: $5.55 million until 2031
All other contracts (active players, Carey Price, retained money, etc.) will no longer be there. Obviously, this is as of today since contracts will often be signed by then.
So Kent Hughes will have room to maneuver. He currently has only $28.875 million invested for 2027-2028, when the cap should be $113.5 million. That leaves $84.625 million to play with. Thanks to Marc Bergevin for the captain’s contract, right? #SalaryStructure
In 3 years, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky (the first line of the #GoHabsGo) will each take up less than 7% of the CH salary cap.
It might be a different story for Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov, but the first 3 will quickly be bargains. https://t.co/T07NZGa6iI
— Félix Forget (@FForget_LTM) January 31, 2025
Only 25% of the projected cap will be used for the four key players. That’s a nice luxury… especially since in 2027-2028, Ivan Demidov will still be on his entry contract.
This will allow the club to acquire good players (we knew it, but now we know it… even more) and reward the young players who will be pushing – by exploding their salary structure. Caution will be needed, but I imagine the Canadiens’ management has suspected for a long time what’s coming.
In Brief
– He needs a little rest.
People need to give Lane Hutson a break!
Pierre McGuire: «It’s called the dog days of the season. He’s out of gas. It happens to every single kid that comes into the league»#GoHabsGo #thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro pic.twitter.com/MTO8shryGG
— The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) January 31, 2025
– A handshake for Marc-André Fleury: it was an idea from Mike Matheson.
#Habs captain Nick Suzuki said Mike Matheson approached him with the idea for the #GoHabsGo players to remain on the ice to shake Marc-Andre Fleury’s hand at the end of the game.
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) January 31, 2025
– Hmmm…
Vesey agonizes over his NHL future while telling The Post: “It feels like I have no role or purpose with this team. I’m kind of dying by being here.” https://t.co/KZHWY09cTj
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) January 31, 2025
– Interesting.
Jordan Dumais’ return will go through Cleveland. It’s been a while since we’ve seen him on the ice. https://t.co/cQgDUp4dXf
— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) January 31, 2025
– Do we like it or not?
4 Nations Face-Off jerseys are on sale now. Here’s a look at them all. Which one are you repping? pic.twitter.com/haaZBd5eNG
— Fanatics (@Fanatics) January 31, 2025
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