Hockey

Salary cap could rise to $170 million within a few years
Michaël Petit
Salary cap could rise to $170 million within a few years
Credit: Getty Images

After the COVID-19 and the freeze on the salary cap, the NHL has recently compensated with big increases promised on the payroll for the next few years. It will start next year, when the cap will jump by $7.5 M, and it could continue at this rate for several more years. It will therefore be at $95.5M in 2025-26 and we can expect it to be at $104M in 2026-27, which is quite incredible. This obviously gives management a lot more leeway to improve their team and secure their future by signing promising long-term players. Marco D'Amico, of RG Media, added to this by saying that in nine years' time, the salary cap could almost double, based on the current $95.5M. According to D'Amico, the salary cap could be around $170M, as reported by NHL Rumour Report.

If this turns out to be true, executives will be licking their chops, as will the players, who will be able to demand a much bigger salary. Take Kirill Kaprizov, for example, who should get the biggest contract in history (unless Connor McDavid extends his contract before him). If he signs for eight years and the salary cap is indeed $170 million, the Russian will certainly be salivating at breaking the bank (again). And the same can be said of Lane Hutson, who, if he extends for eight years, will also be asking for the moon (and more) when this contract ends with a $170 million payroll. These two players (and many others) could therefore negotiate their future contracts in a completely different market. And if they continue to dominate as they are doing, it's going to cost their respective clubs a lot of money.No, but imagine a cap at $170 million per season. Fourth-line players could all easily make $3-4 million a season, third-pair defensemen would earn as much or even more, and what can we say about goaltenders replacing elite goaltenders...It's enough to make you dream, but even so, it would still be a far cry from the salaries of other major professional sports leagues. Spacer title='Overtime'] –

– Great company for the current Habs captain.

– That's a great point.

– Must read.

– What a dive and a relay.

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