Photo: Sportsnet
The NHL salary cap for next season is expected to rise by $3.5 million to be at $83 million, according to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. It could move slightly but the league has been good with salary cap projections, says Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.
The NHL is projecting a salary cap of roughly $83-million for next season, per Gary Bettman.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 3, 2018
The salary cap moved up from $75 million last season to $79.5 million this season.
This should make for a very interesting free agency as star players such as San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson, Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin, Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner, Ottawa Senators forward Mark Stone, Senators center Matt Duchene, Sharks center Joe Pavelski, and New York Islanders forward Anders Lee highlight one of the best free agent classes in NHL history on July 1.
In addition, there are also many notable restricted free agents who can become restricted free agents that day such as Mikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche, the NHL’s scoring leader (45 points), Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point, Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine, Carolina Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho, Sharks forward Timo Meier, Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson, and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel.
While other teams will have their hands full signing their star players who will be up for contracts on July 1, the Washington Capitals have a much lighter to-do list this summer with $14.58 to spend in cap space as of now. Bottom-six forwards Brett Connolly and Devante Smith-Pelly, center Nic Dowd, defenseman Brooks Orpik, and goaltender Pheonix Copley can become unrestricted free agents this upcoming summer. Forwards Chandler Stephenson, Jakub Vrana, Andre Burakovsky, and Dmitrij Jaskin in addition to defenseman Christian Djoos can become restricted free agents July 1.
Center Nicklas Backstrom and goaltender Braden Holtby can become unrestricted free agents in 2020 and will be eligible to sign contract extensions July 1.
With lots of notable players up for contract by the end of the year, teams could not be happier with the expected increase for 2019-20.
By Harrison Brown
Good news, not that Caps will have loads to spend on star RFA/UFA, you’ll get the 3.5mil bump projected in cap space to 83mil next year, plus at this point 99% chance additional 3mil savings in Burakovsky let go, maybe another 2-3mil in cap savings in letting go journeymen like a Jaskin, Dsp, Conno.
Priority 1 RFA Vrana extension. Hes making 800k or there about, thats going to double.. somewhere in the 1.5-2mil range (as of now) for 3-4years maybe more. Hes a clear cut top 6 Forward for this franchise.
Priority 2, Christian Djoos. A good bottom 4 D. Never going to be a 20minute guy top line guy but 15minutes or less he seems more then capable 2nd or 3rd pair Dman in the nhl. Needs a 3-4 year extension 2-3mil
Stephenson no.3, versatile Center/Winger.. mostly bottom 6 guy known for his speed&defensive ability but can slide into top 6 if needed.
2-3 years 1-2mil per
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