The NHL salary cap is set to take a significant leap during the next three seasons.
Currently sitting at $88 million, the upper limit of the salary cap is projected to rise to $113.5 million by the 2027-28 season, according to an agreement between the league and the NHL Players’ Association announced on Friday.
The annual increases will be $7.5 million next season, $8.5 million for 2026-27 and $9.5 million for 2027-28.
That’s a major change from 2020-24 when the salary cap was mostly flat ($81.5 million to $83.5 million) because of the lost revenue from the COVID pandemic. This season, the cap ceiling jumped by $4.5 million.
The league and players association said they intend to meet to discuss other aspects of the collective-bargaining agreement, which expires in September 2026.
NHL PAY: Top players by cap hit, salaries
NHL salary cap for the next three seasons
The 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons could have minor adjustments up or down based on revenues:
2025-26
- Upper limit: $95.5 million
- Lower limit: $70.6 million
2026-27
- Upper limit: $104 million
- Lower limit: $76.9 million
2027-28
- Upper limit: $113.5 million
- Lower limit: $83.9 million
