NHL Salary Cap Crunch: The Aftermath of Performance Bonuses

As the regular NHL season wraps up, teams face the sobering result of their roster decisions and player performances. With the final salary cap calculations complete, 11 teams have discovered they are in the red, incurring bonus overage penalties that will affect their financial strategies for the 2025-26 season!

1. Carolina Hurricanes: $33K to $1.076MM

The Hurricanes saw a wide range of penalties, largely due to rookie Alexander Nikishin's potential performance-driven bonus. They have a guaranteed penalty of $33K from Logan Stankoven and a possible additional $5K if rookie Juha Jaaska appears in two playoff games.

2. Dallas Stars: $368K

After a year spent in the long-term injured reserve (LTIR), the Stars are hit with penalties from Wyatt Johnston's bonuses totaling $319K and Logan Stankoven's $49.5K bonus. All this, combined with Ryan Suter's buyout, leads to a staggering total of $1.801MM in dead cap.

3. Detroit Red Wings: $871K

The Red Wings had a comfortable $2.02MM in cap space but are facing penalties due to performance bonuses totaling $2.888MM. Major contributors like Patrick Kane, Simon Edvinsson, and Marco Kasper pushed Detroit into a penalty corner for the upcoming year.

4. Edmonton Oilers: $150K to $250K

With a few key players earning bonuses through their 35+ contracts, the Oilers are looking at penalties from Corey Perry's contract, ranging between $150K and $250K, while also grappling with an impending $2.3MM cap charge from Jack Campbell's buyout.

5. Los Angeles Kings: $213K

The Kings couldn’t account for the performance bonus accrued by Brandt Clarke, leading them to a $213K penalty next season—a contribution to their overall $813K dead cap.

6. Minnesota Wild: $1.1MM to $1.15MM

Finishing with a mere $36K in cap space, the Wild must confront penalties from bonuses owed to Marco Rossi and Brock Faber, possibly nudging their total dead cap charges beyond $2.767MM due to existing buyouts.

7. Montreal Canadiens: $1.728MM to $2.308MM

The Canadiens are bracing for a hefty penalty caused by performance bonuses across the board. Rookie Lane Hutson’s maximum bonuses, alongside significant payouts to other young stars, could push their penalties significantly higher.

8. New Jersey Devils: $1MM

With their own stint in LTIR, the Devils are set to incur a $1MM penalty due to Luke Hughes' performance bonuses, which is currently their only dead cap charge.

9. New York Islanders: $600K to $850K

Cap compliant due to LTIR placements for key players, the Islanders will nevertheless be impacted by bonuses from Matt Martin and Maxim Tsyplakov, potentially adding up to $850K.

10. St. Louis Blues: $2.153MM

The Blues have the largest penalty looming at $2.153MM, largely attributed to Ryan Suter’s performance bonuses and Zachary Bolduc’s contributions, marking a significant financial challenge for the next season.

11. Toronto Maple Leafs: $626K

Ending the season in LTIR comes with its consequences for the Maple Leafs, as they now have to absorb Max Pacioretty’s bonuses, adding $626K to their dead cap.

Could More Teams Join the Club?

Keep an eye out— the Washington Capitals might soon join this list if rookie Ryan Leonard wins the Conn Smythe, which would cost them an additional $275K that they can't afford under these tight cap circumstances.

With so many teams facing salary cap repercussions, the 2025-26 season is shaping up to be a financial battlefield for these franchises. Stay tuned for updates as the offseason unfolds!