Do you know the best feeling in the world? It's picking up a $50 bill off the ground. You're frantically worried about paying your bills by the end of the month and need a boost.
Then, BAM! A gift from the heavens appears.
The Vegas Golden Knights got a similar gift from the hockey gods in the past year. The NHL confirmed a salary cap boost for all teams, starting in 2025-26. The ceiling will stretch out for a three-season period, eventually reaching its projected limit at $113.5 million in 2027-28.
Season | Limit |
|---|---|
2025-26 | $95.5 million |
2026-27 | $104 million |
2027-28 | $113.5 million |
Now? Kelly McCrimmon and company have more money to spend in the upcoming free agency period. They can bolster their winger depth and create a lineup equal to (or possibly better than) the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers.
At least, that's the goal. The Golden Knights are projected to have $9.615 million in salary cap space, according to PuckPedia. That gives them plenty of room to sign a big name such as Nikolaj Ehlers and Brock Boeser. After all, the top line does need a boost.
But the salary cap jump goes beyond grabbing a player or two. It gives McCrimmon more options regarding his free agency plans. In fact, it offers him more flexibility than last season, when the Golden Knights were hard-pressed to even find $3 million available without making moves.
How the Vegas Golden Knights can win free agency with the boosted salary cap
Obviously, there's the 28-year-old elephant in the room in Mitch Marner. No, Marner isn't an elephant, for it's just a figure of speech. But with a couple of trades, the Golden Knights can free up space for a massive contract.
After all, a free agent like Marner comes around once in a lifetime. It could alter a team's fortunes and lead them to a Stanley Cup, regardless of his past. The Golden Knights can attest to this with Jack Eichel, who won a Stanley Cup with the disgruntled Buffalo Sabres star.
The salary cap increase also lessens the burden of trading away too much depth. Names like Mark Stone ($9.5 million annual cap hit until 2027) and William Karlsson ($5.9 million annual cap hit until 2027) can stick around for a couple more years if they wish. Heck, even Alex Pietrangelo ($8.8 million annual cap hit until 2027) can play out his contract.
If you're looking to compete with the Oilers and Panthers, depth is key. That was apparent in the second round, when Vegas's forward group was limited throughout the series. The result? Connor McDavid is singing Phil Wickham songs to Edmonton.
Yes, there are names like Nicolas Hague that will come into the conversation. The defenseman is due a big payday. But that goes back to the depth conversation, where Vegas doesn't need to worry.
Having more options helps Kelly McCrimmon
That also goes for pending free agents like Reilly Smith. Kelly McCrimmon and the Golden Knights saw incredible chemistry between the two Misfits, prompting nostalgic memories of the early days. Who knows? Victor Olofsson could get a modest extension after a solid season (15 goals and 14 assists), along with Tanner Pearson (12 goals and 15 assists).
Everyone loves having options. You can go home with your choice in any given scenario and still leave satisfied. It doesn't matter if it's getting $1 million or a new home.
For McCrimmon, he can coordinate his strategy and rebuild the Golden Knights' winger depth. What's more, he has the choice of staying in-house or looking outside. Add in a lack of need for the other positions and life becomes much easier.
That's the beauty of the NHL's salary cap increase. It gives teams, normally hard-pressed for space, a chance to make a big move. Golden Knights fans will be relieved to see this when the summertime rolls around. It'll be like finding a random $50 bill on the ground during a windy day.