The NHL and NHLPA have made it official, as TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that the NHL salary cap for 2019-20 will be $81.5MM, as many had recently projected with the salary floor being set at $60.2MM.
That isn’t good news for teams that are at or near the cap as many teams had hoped that the cap might be closer to $83MM like it was projected several weeks ago. However, recently rumors had been rumbling that the number would be closer to $82MM and potentially as low as $81.5MM, which is what it ended up being, which is a worst-case scenario for teams hoping for that extra space to maneuver.
That could prompt more teams that need to open up cap space to make cost-cutting moves. The league has seen some of that already today with the Nashville Predators unloading the $9MM contract of defenseman P.K. Subban in order to free up space to extend defenseman Roman Josi and potentially sign a free-agent center such as Matt Duchene in the coming week. The Toronto Maple Leafs sent a future first-rounder to Carolina also today in order to unload the final year of Patrick Marleau and his $6.25MM contract. The Tampa Bay Lightning also unloaded J.T. Miller’s $5.25MM contract that still has four more years on it for a future first-rounder as well. Other teams that are in trouble and could be making similar cap-saving moves include the Vegas Golden Knights, San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals.
The announcement, however, could be big news for teams with plenty of cap space to sell. The Devils acquired a top-four defenseman for a very little return, while Vancouver added a top-six forward in Miller. There are six teams underneath the ceiling of $60.2MM, including the Philadelphia Flyers, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators and the Colorado Avalanche. Several of those team have significant free agents to sign, however, including Winnipeg, Philadelphia and Colorado, but there are many teams that could take advantage, now more than ever, of some of the teams who have already capped themselves out. In fact, Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen was thrilled at the cap number.
“It doesn’t affect us. I like it,” Kekalainen said (via NHL.com’s Dan Rosen). “It’s going to squeeze some teams some more. … They’re going to have to solve their problems and maybe we can be a solution.”
Effin’ lowball cap again! IF the cap had, say, another 5 to 7 million, we could see something along the lines of a dynasty again.
Now that Duchene’s likely headed to Nashville, Jarmo should have been working overtime to eat bad money for some of those picks back.
that is precisely why the cap is set where it is. More competition generates more entertainment.
I think that’s the point of a cap, to not create dynasties and create more parity…
Keeps it a level playing field, and the well run teams still stay relevant for years. MLB ought to follow suit, a cap floor would force their owners to spend money and not just put an average product out there.
The NHL is all about making it so any team can win the cup, making every team lesser to build excitement. Not really sure how it makes Hockey any better. if anything it feels quite diluted, whats next letting refs decide outcomes for games?
Agreed. Allows for all the teams to be competitive.
Agreed. MLB has such a high cap that now the my need a cap floor. $80MM should be the minimal.
It makes the league better because there is more competition late in the season. You basically know who the top teams are in baseball for the next decade. With hockey you don’t have that stale predictability: anyone can win. Granted there are teams whose window has closed and you know who they are, but that just means that new teams can enter the hunt.
So many MLB teams break spring training with almost no shot at a division yet alone title, yet don’t care as they keeps costs down and profit off their tv deals.
It’s truly terrible that going into every season, every fan base is thinking their team could make the playoffs and win it all. Fans would really love knowing their team doesn’t have a chance because it means hockey is therefore better.
These comments are hellfire
If MLB had a Salary Cap Stanton would still be on Marlins.