NHL Salary Cap By Team
| Team | Projected Cap Hit |
Projected Space |
Current Space |
Dead Space |
Active Roster |
Retained Left |
Contracts | Forwards | Defense | Goalies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern | Atlantic | $97,649,404$97.65M | $-14,149,404$-14.15M |
$547,499$547K |
- | 26/23 |
|
50/50 | 72%
|
36%
|
12%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $93,769,295$93.77M | $-10,269,295$-10.27M |
$32,082$32K |
$1,906,250$1.91M | 24/23 |
|
47/50 | 61%
|
44%
|
12%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $92,222,841$92.22M | $-8,722,841$-8.72M |
$922,516$923K |
- | 24/23 |
|
53/50 | 70%
|
35%
|
13%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $90,952,605$90.95M | $-7,499,272$-7.50M |
$2,857,590$2.86M |
$637,500$638K | 22/23 |
|
47/50 | 67%
|
32%
|
7%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $88,839,001$88.84M | $-5,339,001$-5.34M |
$8,331,667$8.33M |
$8,022,083$8.02M | 23/23 |
|
46/50 | 61%
|
17%
|
15%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $86,570,015$86.57M | $-3,154,598$-3.15M |
$81,667$82K |
$996,667$997K | 24/23 |
|
51/50 | 55%
|
39%
|
8%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $85,933,276$85.93M | $-2,433,276$-2.43M |
$211,688$212K |
$2,725,000$2.73M | 22/23 |
|
46/50 | 64%
|
32%
|
4%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $85,791,687$85.79M | $-2,682,521$-2.68M |
$7,891,664$7.89M |
$7,645,000$7.65M | 24/23 |
|
45/50 | 55%
|
29%
|
8%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $85,627,592$85.63M | $-2,478,425$-2.48M |
$5,034,167$5.03M |
$14,743,590$14.74M | 24/23 |
|
50/50 | 49%
|
27%
|
9%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $85,412,307$85.41M | $-1,912,307$-1.91M |
$1,207,500$1.21M |
$4,833,333$4.83M | 22/23 |
|
49/50 | 51%
|
38%
|
10%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $85,251,912$85.25M | $-1,751,912$-1.75M |
$6,575,000$6.58M |
$3,979,167$3.98M | 20/23 |
|
48/50 | 56%
|
32%
|
8%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $85,160,714$85.16M | $-1,869,047$-1.87M |
$7,870,001$7.87M |
$7,520,833$7.52M | 22/23 |
|
49/50 | 56%
|
26%
|
8%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $84,680,763$84.68M | $-1,180,763$-1.18M |
$955,000$955K |
$610,891$611K | 23/23 |
|
48/50 | 64%
|
33%
|
8%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $84,545,244$84.55M | $-1,045,244$-1.05M |
$981,571$982K |
- | 25/23 |
|
45/50 | 64%
|
31%
|
8%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $83,714,733$83.71M | $-430,983$-431K |
$7,658,750$7.66M |
$8,200,763$8.20M | 23/23 |
|
49/50 | 53%
|
33%
|
7%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $83,567,763$83.57M | $39,566$40K |
$39,566$40K |
$4,804,167$4.80M | 26/23 |
|
50/50 | 60%
|
26%
|
13%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $83,548,629$83.55M | $153,290$153K |
$153,290$153K |
$6,616,667$6.62M | 26/23 |
|
49/50 | 59%
|
33%
|
4%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $83,456,100$83.46M | $259,875$260K |
$259,875$260K |
$372,829$373K | 23/23 |
|
44/50 | 68%
|
27%
|
6%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $83,366,664$83.37M | $145,683$146K |
$145,683$146K |
$1,495,000$1.50M | 22/23 |
|
48/50 | 54%
|
34%
|
8%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $83,272,084$83.27M | $559,918$560K |
$559,918$560K |
$4,164,167$4.16M | 22/23 |
|
47/50 | 60%
|
27%
|
6%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $83,109,097$83.11M | $390,902$391K |
$390,902$391K |
$2,750,000$2.75M | 29/23 |
|
50/50 | 59%
|
35%
|
10%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $82,992,949$82.99M | $507,050$507K |
$507,050$507K |
$1,487,500$1.49M | 27/23 |
|
44/50 | 60%
|
37%
|
7%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $82,735,766$82.74M | $1,498,236$1.50M |
$1,498,236$1.50M |
$2,425,000$2.43M | 27/23 |
|
47/50 | 62%
|
22%
|
11%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $82,363,514$82.36M | $1,327,393$1.33M |
$1,327,393$1.33M |
$4,729,910$4.73M | 22/23 |
|
51/50 | 51%
|
31%
|
9%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $80,660,047$80.66M | $2,839,952$2.84M |
$2,839,952$2.84M |
$5,213,889$5.21M | 22/23 |
|
46/50 | 54%
|
26%
|
9%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $79,877,871$79.88M | $3,622,128$3.62M |
$3,622,128$3.62M |
$10,307,500$10.31M | 28/23 |
|
53/50 | 49%
|
23%
|
9%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Metropolitan | $79,365,905$79.37M | $4,134,094$4.13M |
$4,134,094$4.13M |
$2,891,667$2.89M | 23/23 |
|
48/50 | 44%
|
35%
|
8%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $78,106,062$78.11M | $5,393,937$5.39M |
$5,393,937$5.39M |
$1,853,334$1.85M | 23/23 |
|
46/50 | 60%
|
18%
|
6%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $77,295,350$77.30M | $6,204,649$6.20M |
$6,204,649$6.20M |
$8,805,556$8.81M | 24/23 |
|
50/50 | 44%
|
37%
|
8%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern | Atlantic | $75,019,130$75.02M | $8,480,869$8.48M |
$8,480,869$8.48M |
$200,000$200K | 22/23 |
|
43/50 | 54%
|
28%
|
3%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Central | $74,998,336$75.00M | $8,501,663$8.50M |
$8,501,663$8.50M |
$9,944,707$9.94M | 24/23 |
|
48/50 | 41%
|
27%
|
6%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western | Pacific | $74,674,602$74.67M | $8,825,397$8.83M |
$8,825,397$8.83M |
$4,712,500$4.71M | 26/23 |
|
50/50 | 55%
|
19%
|
9%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern Conference | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Conference | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Atlantic Division | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Metropolitan Division | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Central Division | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pacific Division | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NHL News
Signings
Trades
The Ottawa Senators acquired Jamieson Rees from the Carolina Hurricanes for 2024 6th round pick
The Ottawa Senators acquired Wyatt Bongiovanni from the Winnipeg Jets for future considerations
The New Jersey Devils acquired Nathan Legare from the Montreal Canadiens for Arnaud Durandeau
The Vegas Golden Knights acquired Tomas Hertl, a 2025 3rd round pick, and 2027 3rd round pick from the San Jose Sharks for David Edstrom and 2025 1st round pick
Transactions
Pinelli reached an agreement with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, signing a three-year, entry-level deal beginning with the 2024-25 season.
Lohrei was recalled from AHL Providence on Tuesday, per Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe.
Fedotov agreed to terms on a two-year, $6.5 million contract extension with Philadelphia on Tuesday, Darren Dreger of TSN reports.
Voracek (concussion) officially announced his retirement Tuesday, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports.
Holm was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Monday.
Prosvetov was recalled from AHL Colorado on Monday.
Injuries
Nicolas Hague | Hague -- who missed the last eight minutes of Game 1 versus the Dallas Stars on Monday -- will be reevaluated prior to Game 2 on Wednesday, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports.
Thatcher Demko | Demko is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury and won't play in Tuesday's Game 2 versus the Nashville Predators, Canucks rinkside reporter Kate Pettersen reports.
Ryan Lomberg | Lomberg is under the weather and will be sidelined versus Tampa Bay for Game 2 on Tuesday, Steve Goldstein of Bally Sports Florida reports.
Timo Meier | Meier will have arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder but is expected to be ready for training camp ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, the New Jersey Devils announced Tuesday.
Andrew Peeke | Peeke was unavailable for the third period of Game 2 against the Leafs on Monday due to an apparent finger injury, Jim McBride of the Boston Globe reports.
Justus Annunen | Annunen (illness) will not be in the lineup versus Winnipeg on Tuesday, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette reports.
Brett Pesce | Pesce (lower body) will not return to Monday's game against the New York Islanders.
Insights and Insiders
What Is the NHL Salary Cap?
The NHL salary cap is the total amount that NHL teams may pay for players. The amount set as the salary cap each year depends on the league’s revenue for the previous season. As it is a 'hard cap,' there are no exemptions. However, if a player is injured and it's thought that they will miss at least 10 NHL games and 24 days in the season, their team can put them on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). By doing so, they can surpass the salary cap.
The salary cap was introduced to prevent teams with the most revenue signing all the top players, which was becoming a problem in the '90s and early 2000s. For instance, by signing a number of top-performing players and significantly spending more than the majority of other teams, the Detroit Red Wings were able to win three Stanley Cups in that time.
This led to the 2004-05 CBA negotiations, during which the entire season was cancelled — the first time a labor dispute has ever caused a cancellation in a major sports league in North America. At the time of the negotiations, teams were spending around 75 percent of their revenues on salaries — much higher than any other North American sports league. Eventually, they agreed to the general structure that remain today, including the mandatory payment to players in US dollars.
The concept of a salary cap is not new to the NHL. One was first introduced during the Great Depression, at which time the salary cap per team was $62,500 and $7,000 per player.
Salary Cap History
Since its reintroduction in the 2005-06 season, the NHL salary cap had risen every year until the pandemic shortened 2020-2021 season:
| 2005-2006 | $39.0 million |
| 2006-2007 | $44.0 million |
| 2007-2008 | $50.3 million |
| 2008-2009 | $56.7 million |
| 2009-2010 | $56.8 million |
| 2010-2011 | $59.4 million |
| 2011-2012 | $64.3 million |
| 2012-2013 | $60.0 million * |
| 2013-2014 | $64.3 million |
| 2014-2015 | $69.0 million |
| 2015-2016 | $71.4 million |
| 2016-2017 | $73.0 million |
| 2017-2018 | $75.0 million |
| 2018-2019 | $79.5 million |
| 2019-2020 | $81.5 million |
| 2020-2021 | $81.5 million |
| 2021-2022 | $81.5 million |
| 2022-2023 | $82.5 million |
* During the 2012-13 season, there was a lockout. The salary cap was set to $60 million, but NHL hockey teams were allowed to spend a pro-rated $70.2 million for the shortened season.
The salary floor (the minimum that a team must spend as a whole) is 85 percent of the salary midpoint. For the 2021-22 season, the cap floor is $60.2 million.
History of the Teams
Originally, there were just six NHL teams, called the Original Six. In the 1967-68 season, six new teams were added. The Original Six formed the East Division and the new six formed the West Division.
In 1974, six more NHL hockey teams joined the league, creating 18 in total. The league then took four teams from the World Hockey Association when it ceased to exist in 1979. With the Cleveland Barons gone in 1978, this brought the total to 21 teams.
There was no further expansion to the league until the '90s. The next new NHL team was the San Jose Sharks in 1991. Another eight were added in the subsequent decade to reach 30 teams by 2000. Finally, in 2016, Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner, announced that another new NHL team — the Vegas Golden Knights — would join the List of NHL Teams, making 31 teams for the 2017-18 season.
Tune in to learn about developments in the league, your favorite NHL teams and players. PuckPedia brings you up to speed on the latest news and other exciting developments in the world of NHL hockey. Bookmark PuckPedia now!
