NHL Salary Cap Rises to $95.5M Fueling Free Agency Activity

The NHL's free agency period in 2025 has seen a slower start despite a significant salary cap increase from $88 million to $95.5 million, with projections reaching $113.5 million by 2027-28, signaling more money in the system but not necessarily more player movement. Teams like the Colorado Avalanche are benefiting from these increases to build towards winning, while the top contenders remain largely unchanged from the previous season. Notable players such as Jeff Skinner, a 32-year-old winger coming off a modest season with Edmonton, are still seeking new teams, with potential fits including the San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Carolina Hurricanes. The 2026 free agent class promises to be star-studded, with elite players like Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jack Eichel expected to command significant contracts amid the rising salary cap, although many may opt for extensions with their current teams. Additionally, goaltender Ilya Samsonov is exploring options within the NHL, with teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Nashville Predators showing potential interest as they seek to bolster their rosters ahead of the new season.