NHL Rumors: Salary cap going up next season; Gustafsson getting PTO with Isles; and will Kaprizov hold out?
Anthony Scultore
|
The NHL’s deputy commissioner, Bill Daly is doing his media rounds and provided several updates. Regarding the investigations into Evander Kane for gambling, he believes it will be concluded before training camp opens. On the Blackhawks sexual assault cover-up allegations, there is no timetable.
[brid video=”860701″ player=”23765″ title=”5%20Teams%20That%20May%20Surprise%20This%20Season” duration=”undefined” description=”These five teams could surprise during the 2021-22 NHL Season! The Rangers, Blackhawks, Bruins, Canucks, and Kraken are ready to go” uploaddate=”2021-09-09″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/18116/thumb/860701_t_1631222939.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/18116/sd/860701.mp4″]
NHL Rumors: Salary Cap to rise by $1 million
Daly confirmed with the media that the NHL salary cap is expected to go up to $82.5 million next season, a million dollar increase.
This is great news, even if it is just a small raise to the ceiling.
Back in early August, Frank Seravalli of The Daily Face Off indicated this was likely to happen.
The NHL projected revenue this season to be close to $5 billion entering its third season under the flat-cap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NHL is projecting a $1 million bump in the salary cap to $82.5 million next offseason ahead of the 2022-23 season, according to sources, which would mark the first rise in the league’s upper-limit since the COVID-19 significantly upended business operations, de-linked the cap from revenue and ballooned a billion-dollar debt load that players are working to pay back to owners.
Daily Faceoff
Islanders bringing in Erik Gustaffson
The NY Islanders desperately need to add some depth to the blue-line this upcoming season. Reports are surfacing that Erik Gustaffson will be given a PTO.
At 29 years-old, this left handed shot defender still has some mileage to give to an NHL team. In 29 games for Philadelphia and Montreal he notched 12 points. He did play in 16 games for the Canadiens magical run to the finals and added another 3 points.
Will Kirill Kaprizov hold out?
Kirill Kaprizov led all rookies in goals with 27, points (51) and power-play goals (eight) in 55 games this past season. His totals in goals, assists (24) and points served as records by a rookie in franchise history.
As an RFA without arbitration rights, Kaprizov has almost no negotiation leverage. Which leaves him with just one option, holding out.
With training camp fast approaching, he could miss time since the two sides do not appear close to a deal.
The two sides have been at a standstill since April when Kaprizov rejected an 8 year-deal. Kaprizov, 24, is only interested in a short term deal. The Wild wanted to lock him up at for longer but it appears the two-sides may be close to a new contract with the term being around5 years in length at possibly $9M AAV.
However, Kaprizov is still in Russia and the two sides have not spoken in the last week, Russo reports. GM Bill Guerin even admitted that there are “obstacles” they need to overcome.
Can the do it in time for camp? Will this drag on into the the start of the season? All is possible at the moment.
