Top NHL Agent Reveals Unexpected 2027-28 Salary Cap Change That Could Alter Everything for Teams

The National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association recently signed a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that creates stability for salary cap growth up to the 2027-28 season.

The agreement provides for certain annual increases in the Upper Limit so that teams can experience greater fiscal certainty to plan long-term.

The deal funds cap increase as follows: a $7.5 million increase in 2025-26, an $8.5 million increase in 2026-27, and a $9.5 million increase in 2027-28.

With the new model, club salary ranges are at $95.5 million (Upper Band) and $70.6 million (Lower Band) for 2025-26; $104 million and $76.9 million for 2026-27; and $113.5 million with a floor of $83.9 million in 2027-28, although the 2026-27 and 2027-28 figures will be slightly changed, per reports.

Not everybody thinks the changes will remain small. Veteran and top NHL agent Allan Walsh forecasts that due to recent mega-deals, like Chicago's record contract extension of Frank Nazar earlier today, reflect an enormously steeper increase in player pay than is expected.

Walsh thinks those signings might pave the way for the rewriting of expectations as revenue growth gains momentum.

When the league initially estimated a $92.4 million cap for 2025-26 in December, Commissioner Gary Bettman gave the sense that the increases would be higher due to negotiations.

Now that the new CBA has become effective, those estimates have come true, and may still have a chance to rise further if league revenues exceed expectations. Ultimately, the agreement provides clubs and players with much-needed stability.

While some will contend that the cap can grow more quickly still, the agreement ensures that the NHL goes into the next three years with an open budget fiscal model and a good base upon which to build.