The NHL salary cap will rise by $4.5 million for the upcoming season

The NHL salary cap for the upcoming season is expected to increase by $4.5 million, reaching a total of $92.5 million. This announcement was made on the league’s official website following a meeting of the Board of Governors.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated that this is a "very preliminary decision." 

Additionally, the league and the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) are anticipated to begin negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement in early 2025, as the current deal is set to expire in September 2026.

Bettman also noted that the topic of league expansion was not addressed during the meeting. Discussions regarding the potential reduction of preseason games and an increase in the number of regular-season games are expected to take place.