NHL Announces Huge Salary Cap Increases Across Three Seasons

It’s a pretty decent time to be hitting free agency.

The NHL on Friday informed teams that the current $88 million cap ceiling will jump to $95.5 million in 2025-26, followed by $104 million in 2026-27 and $113.5 million in 2027-28, according to Chris Johnston of The Athletic.

The NHL and NHLPA agreed on where those numbers would be set, though it was reported that the sides can agree to make minor adjustments up or down if circumstances warrant.

“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,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic. “In reviewing our numbers with the Players’ Association as part of our collective bargaining, we finally felt like we were in a position to give them that. It’s not ‘absolute certainty,’ but maybe it’s the next best thing.”

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand is among the notable names slated to hit the open market in 2025, joining the likes of newly acquired Carolina Hurricanes star Mikko Rantanen, Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares, as well as Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets.

Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov are among the league’s top free agents in 2026.