• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 10, 2025

The NHL’s Salary Cap Boost Kicks Off a Chaotic Offseason

  • Teams are seeing the first major cap increase since 2019, up $4.5 million.
  • The free agency window opens Monday, with a stacked group of names who may benefit.
Apr 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates his goal with the Lightning bench against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins won 5-4. Mandatory
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL’s free agency window opens Monday, exactly one week after the Panthers hoisted the Stanley Cup, and one day after the team’s championship parade in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The short period between the season’s end and offseason’s beginning always forces a quick focus shift for players, front offices, and fans—but new changes are teeing up a particularly hectic few months. The league is seeing the first big increase to its salary cap in five years, jumping up $4.5 million to a cap of $88 million, which will give teams more space to make big moves.

“It’s going to be unpredictable, really,” Mike Grier, the general manager of San Jose, told NHL Network. “It’ll be interesting. Every team’s trying to get better, and there’s only so many seats at the table.”

Last weekend’s draft—though flashier than ever at the Las Vegas Sphere—yielded what many considered a weaker class of prospects. Without as much immediately impactful talent joining the league (like the phenom first pick of the 2023 draft, Connor Bedard, who won this season’s Calder Trophy), offseason moves may be shaped by swapping veterans and locking key players into extended contracts. And there are many high-profile names exploring big payouts through free agency, including Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay’s captain since 2014, and Jonathan Marchessault, MVP of the 2023 playoffs for Las Vegas.

Combined, these circumstances are leading some vets to ask for major pay bumps. New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin, eligible for an extension starting Monday, reportedly wanted $12 million annually, which would take up 13% of the team’s cap space. In the past few years, Shesterkin has averaged about 10 fewer games per season than other goalies who got deals of that size, according to The Athletic. New York, who made it to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final this season thanks in large part to Shesterkin at goal, faces a big decision. 

In this new era, they won’t be the only ones.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Florida State Seminoles hosted the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

Athletic Departments Express Renewed Interest in PE in Wake of House Settlement

Schools now have more expenses—and are looking for creative solutions.
Oct 27, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of the Wells Fargo Center before game between Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.

New Philly Arena Will Redefine Home-Court Advantage, CEO Says

The forthcoming venue will arrive with plenty of ambition among its owners.
Caster Semenya

Caster Semenya’s Legal Win Could Reopen Fight Against Testosterone Limits

The Olympian champion’s appeal against gender eligibility rules continues.
Gareth Bale
exclusive

Gareth Bale Group Makes New Offer for Cardiff City 

Bale tells Front Office Sports his group has made another bid.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Stephen Curry celebrates after sinking the winning putt during the final round of the American Century Celebrity Championship golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., Sunday, July 16, 2023.

Golf’s Hottest Celebrity Tournament Keeps Getting More Exclusive

The American Century Championship tees off at Lake Tahoe on Friday.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell during the NFLPA press conference at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
July 10, 2025

NFLPA Head Has Side Hustle With PE Firm That Can Invest in..

The NFLPA’s executive director is embroiled in multiple controversies.
Bruce Meyer and Tony Clark of the MLBPA
July 10, 2025

MLB, Players’ Union Spar Over Salary Cap As Labor Fight Looms

The MLB Players Association’s No. 2 executive outlines what he sees owners doing.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 10, 2025

Murphy: Club WC Snags Won’t Derail Biggest Event ‘in Human History’

New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium is the concluding site of both FIFA events.
Crystal Palace FC
July 10, 2025

Crystal Palace’s Europa League Spot in Limbo After Lyon Wins Appeal

The ruling on Olympique Lyonnais was overturned this week on appeal.
July 9, 2025

U.K. Appoints New Soccer Regulator, EPL Matches Stay Behind Paywall

Men’s soccer in England will receive new levels of oversight.
July 9, 2025

NFL’s Alternate Uniforms Fuel Big Business—and Lots of Nostalgia

The Commanders kick off a run of new NFL helmets and uniforms.