NHL’s new $79.5 million cap benefits Islanders, Rangers & Devils offseasons

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesThe NHL’s cap $4.5 million cap increase spells opportunity for all three local teams, the New York Rangers, Islanders and New Jersey Devils.

The NHL announced its long-awaited decision on the salary cap, clocking in at $79.5 million, the median most figured it would look like.

Along with an increase in the ceiling comes an increase in the floor with $58.8 million being the new minimum a team can commit to their roster.

2018-19: $79.5M

2017-18: $75M

2016-17: $73M

2015-16: $71.4M

2014-15: $69M

2013-14: $64.3M

While, obviously, all teams benefit from an announcement like this, the NYC teams get a huge opportunity for a busy offseason.

Of all teams in the NHL, the…