The NHL and NHLPA have announced an upper salary cap limit of $71.4 million for the 2015-16 season, a relatively modest increase from last season’s $69 million, yet still significant since the players voted to kick in their 5 percent escalator to raise the number. Had they not, the salary ceiling would have dropped to $68 million.
Asked on breakdown day in mid-May whether the uncertain limit concerned him, general manager Brian MacLellan replied, “I think there’s a little bit of insecurity there. The league says we’re going to be somewhere between $70 and $71 million. I think most of our projections, we plan on that, but down deep you’re a little insecure it might come in lower.