NHL teams will have a bit more room to spend in 2018-19 thanks to a new salary cap that has grown to $79.5 million. The increase, one that represents a growth of six percent and $4.5 million compared to the 2017-18 cap, will grant teams more flexibility when dealing with free agent and new contracts.
The lower limit for teams has also increased to $58.8 million, meaning the league’s most thrifty teams will have to spend a bit more than they have been.
NHL Salary Cap by season
2018-19: $79.5M
2017-18: $75M
2016-17: $73M
2015-16: $71.4M
2014-15: $69M
2013-14: $64.3M— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 21, 2018
This news comes as the NHL is experiencing what they have described as “healthy” growth. Looking forward, the NHL is already projecting revenue growth of seven to eight and a half percent in 2018-19 versus 2017-18.
Meanwhile, the NHL’s maximum player salary has also increased.
With the Upper Limit for 2018-19 now set at $79.5M, the maximum total aggregate of Player Salary & Bonuses on a standard players contract can not exceed 15,900,000 (20%) in any single league year.
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 21, 2018
The new $15.9 million maximum contract is an increase from the $15 million maximum seen during the 2017-18 season. While that point is worth noting, it’s unlikely that any team will actually hit the maximum for a player contract.
In fact, it’s only happened one time to date in the salary cap era. Brad Richards.
In the Salary Cap Era, only one player has ever received a maximum 20% contract.
Brad Richards' 5 year contract signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning on May 23, 2006 was the maximum 20%, with an annual average of $7.8M (upper limit was $39M)https://t.co/URouQTdjf3 pic.twitter.com/gip3DNgLW5
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 21, 2018
It’s kind of incredible that Richards is the only NHL player who has received a max 20% contract. That’ll make for some fun trivia should that fact remain unchanged for the foreseeable future.
The biggest takeaway here is that the NHL is seemingly in a decent financial spot. The unbelievable success that has been the Vegas Golden Knights is likely the main driver behind the overall financial growth. That should have the league closely eyeing other expansion locations in the hopes that lightning may strike twice.