NHL Free Agency: Where does your team stand within the Salary Cap?
The NHL offseason is nearly here. Where does each team currently stand as NHL free agency draws near?
As the NHL offseason kicks off into high gear starting on Oct. 9, which is the start of NHL free agency, teams will start shaping their rosters. This will be a uniquely short offseason, so expect moves to happen quickly. As teams look to improve their rosters, it is important to see where your team stands in relationship to the salary cap and why some transactions will have to be made.
Expiring contracts will be valuable trade chips. Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) can sign with any team after October 9th. Teams can match offers to their Restricted Free Agents (RFA) but many will need to clear space to sign them or match an offer. Any player with a No Trade Clause (NTC) or No Movement Clause (NMC) will be harder to trade because teams will need permission from the player to approve the trade, hindering leverage.
Unfortunately, with the lost revenue in the 2019-2020 season due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the salary cap will stay at $81.5 million. It will be a challenge for most teams to shape their roster moving forward.
Here is a quick team by team breakdown in alphabetical order of where NHL teams stand in relationship to the salary cap heading into the 2020-2021 season. All contract data is courtesy of CapFriendly.
ANAHEIM DUCKS
Cap space: $470,001
Forwards
Ryan Getzlaf – $8.25 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2021
David Backes – $4.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Danton Heinen – $2.80 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Max Jones – $863,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Sam Steel – $863,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Rickard Rakell – $3.79 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Sonny Milano – $1.70 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Adam Henrique – $5.83 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Jakob Silfverberg – $5.25 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Troy Terry – $1.45 million cap hit, RFA 2023
Carter Rowney – $1.13 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Nicolas Deslauriers – $1 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Defensemen
Erik Gudbranson- $4 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Hampus Lindholm – $5.21 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Josh Manson – $4.10 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Cam Fowler – $6.50 million cap hit, NTC,
Jacob Larsson – $1.2 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Kodie Curran – $1 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Christian Djoos – $1 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Goaltenders
John Gibson – $6.40 million cap hit, UFA 2027
LTIR
Ryan Kesler – $6.875 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2022
Buyouts
Corey Perry – $6.63 million against the cap for 2020-21 season, $2 million against cap per year in 2021-22 and 2022-23
2020-2021 Draft Outlook
Ducks have 2 selections in the first round at #6 and #27 overall. Anaheim has one pick in each of the second through sixth rounds.
Anaheim Ducks summary
The Ducks are in good shape cap wise in the future. Not too many bad, long term contracts. Anaheim will need to clear space if they want to make improvements for the 2020-21 season as they are already close to the $81.5 million salary cap threshold.
ARIZONA COYOTES
Cap space: $3,632,765
Notable Free Agents
- Taylor Hall (UFA)
- Brad Richardson (UFA)
- Carl Soderberg (UFA)
- Christian Fischer (RFA)
- Vinnie Hinostroza (RFA)
- Ilya Lyubushkin (RFA)
Forwards
Derek Stepan – $6.5 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Conor Garland – $775,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Phil Kessel – $6.8 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2022
Barrett Hayton – $894,167 cap hit, RFA 2022
Clayton Keller – $7.15 million cap hit UFA 2028
Nick Schmaltz – $5.85 million cap hit, UFA 2026
Christian Dvorak – $4.45 million cap hit, UFA 2025
Defensemen
Alex Goligoski – $5.475 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Niklas Hjalmarsson – $5 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2021
Jason Demers – $3.9375 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – $8.25 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2027
Jakob Chychrun – $4.6 million cap hit, UFA 2025
Jordan Oesterle – $1.4 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Goaltenders
Antti Raanta – $4.25 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Darcy Keumper- $4.50 million cap hit, UFA 2022
LTIR
Marian Hossa – $5.275 million, UFA 2021
Buyouts
Michael Grabner
- 2020-21 season: $2,516,667 savings, $833,333 cap hit
- 2021-22 season: -$1,258,333 savings, $1,258,333 cap hit
2020-2021 Draft Outlook
Coyotes have 0 selections in the first three rounds of the draft. Arizona has one pick in each of the 4th through 7th rounds.
Arizona Coyotes summary
New Coyotes General Manager Bill Armstrong will have a tough task ahead of him while shaping this roster for a competitive future. Although Hossa’s money doesn’t count against the cap and only paying partial salaries for Kessel and Demers, Arizona does not have a lot of room to work with their long term contracts.
After the 2020-21 season, Arizona does have a lot of money coming off the books to work with short term. Due to the tampering scandal, they do not own a pick in the first three rounds of next year’s draft also. It will be very interesting to see what moves will be made to shape the roster.
BOSTON BRUINS
Cap space: $14,430,964
Notable Free Agents
- Zdeno Chara (UFA)
- Torey Krug (UFA)
- Matt Grzelcyk (RFA)
- Jake DeBrusk (UFA)
- Kevan Miller (UFA)
Forwards
David Krejci – $7.25 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Ondrej Kase – $2.6 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Nick Ritchie – $1.498925 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Sean Kuraly – $1.275 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Patrice Bergeron – $6.875 million cap hit, NTC, NMC, UFA 2022
David Pastrnak – $6.666666 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Brad Marchand – $6.125 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2025
Charlie Coyle – $5.25 million cap hit, NTC, NMC, UFA 2026
Defensemen
Brandon Carlo – $2.85 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Charlie McAvoy- $4.90 million cap hit, RFA 2022
John Moore – $2.75 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Connor Clifton – $1 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Jérémy Lauzon – $850,000 cap hit, RFA 2022
Goaltenders
Tuukka Rask – $7.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Jaroslav Halak – $2.25 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Retained Salary
David Backes – $1.5 million for 2020-21 season
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Boston does not have a draft selection in the First and Fourth Rounds. They have one pick in the Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Rounds
Boston Bruins summary
The Bruins are an older club that is in transition. The reigning President Trophy winners are in win now mode and will look to get creative in signing at least some of their impending free agents. Look for them to continue being busy this offseason through signings and trades to take advantage of their closing championship window.
BUFFALO SABRES
Cap space: $33,658,333
Notable Free Agents
- Victor Olofsson (RFA)
- Sam Reinhart (RFA)
- Dominik Kahun (RFA)
- Tage Thompson (RFA)
- Vladimar Sobotka (UFA)
- Jimmy Vesey (UFA)
- Wayne Simmonds (UFA)
- Brandon Montour (RFA)
- Linus Ullman (RFA)
Forwards
Eric Staal – $3.25 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Jack Eichel – $10 million cap hit, UFA 2026
Jeff Skinner – $9 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2027
Kyle Okposo – $6 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
Curtis Lazar – $800,000 cap hit, RFA 2022
Defensemen
Jake McCabe – $2.85 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Rasmus Dahlin – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Henri Jokiharju – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Rasmus Ristolainen – $5.40 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Colin Miller – $3.875 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Goaltenders
Carter Hutton – $2.75 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Buyouts
Cody Hodgson – $792,000 for the next 3 seasons.
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Buffalo owns the eighth overall selection in the first round of the draft. Sabres have one pick in the second, fourth, and fifth rounds, and two in the seventh round.
Buffalo Sabres summary
The canvas is mostly blank for general manager Kevyn Adams to shape this roster for next season and beyond. The Sabres have a lot of money to work with and only a few long term deals, although the Skinner and Okposo deals might hamper them on the back end. They will be busy filling out their roster and looking to create a bright future for the organization.
CALGARY FLAMES
Cap space: $16,910,834
Notable Free Agents
- Andrew Mangiapane RFA
- Tobias Rieder UFA
- Mark Jankowski UFA
- Travis Hamonic UFA
- TJ Brodie UFA
- Derek Forbort UFA
- Erik Gustafsson UFA
- Cam Talbot UFA
Forwards
Derek Ryan – $3.125 cap hit, UFA 2021
Sam Bennett – $2.55 cap hit, RFA 2021
Matthew Tkachuk – $7 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Johnny Gaudreau – $6.75 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Sean Monahan – $6.375 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
Mikael Backlund – $5.35 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Elias Lindholm – $4.85 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Milan Lucic – $5.25 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Defensemen
Juuso Valimaki – $894,166 cap hit, RFA 2021
Mark Giordano – $6.75 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Noah Hanifan – $4.95 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Rasmus Andersson – $4.55 million cap hit, UFA 2026
Goaltenders
David Rittich – $2.75 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Buyouts
Troy Brouwer – $1.5 million per year for the next 2 seasons
Michael Stone – $1.17 million per year for the 2020-2021 season
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Calgary owns the 19th overall selection in the first round. Flames have one draft selection in each of the seven rounds.
Calgary Flames summary
The Flames have a lot of contracts with term. Unless the Flames make some trades, the forward corp is solidified for years to come and they will look to improve on defense and goaltending in the 2020-2021 and beyond. Calgary is in a solid position to retain some of their free agents while making other moves to improve the roster.
CAROLINA HURRICANES
Cap space: $7,782,261
Notable Free Agents
- Justin Williams UFA
- Warren Foegele RFA
- Sami Vatanen UFA
- Trevor van Riemsdyk UFA
Forward
Andrei Svechnikov – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Ryan Dzingel – $3.375 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Brock McGinnis- $2.10 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Jordan Martinook – $2 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Nino Niederreiter – $5.25 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Vincent Trocheck – $4.75 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Martin Necas – $863,333 cap hit, RFA 2022
Sebastian Aho – $8.454 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Teuvo Teravainen – $5.40 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Jordan Staal – $6 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2023
Defensemen
Dougie Hamilton – $5.75 million, UFA 2021
Jaccob Slavin – $5.30 million cap hit, UFA 2025
Brady Skjei – $5.25 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Brett Pesce – $4.025 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Jake Gardiner – $4.05 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
Goaltenders
Petr Mrazek – $3.125 million cap hit, UFA 2021
James Reimer – $3.40 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Buyout situation
Alexander Semin – $2.33 million for the 2020-2021 season
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Carolina owns the 13th overall selection in the 2020 Draft. Hurricanes have two selections in the Second Round and one in each of the Third, Fourth and Fifth Rounds. Carolina also has two selections in the Seventh Round.
Carolina Hurricanes summary
Carolina is close to the 81.5 million threshold and will need to get creative to make more room under the salary cap. Especially with Svechnikov and Hamilton playing on the final year of their deals and a gapping hole to fill at the goaltending position.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Cap space: $7,830,461
Notable Free Agents
- Cory Crawford UFA
- Dominik Kubalik RFA
- Dylan Strome RFA
- Slater Koekkoek RFA
- Malcolm Subban RFA
- Drake Caggiula RFA
Forwards
Brandon Saad – $6.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Zack Smith – $3.25 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Alexander Nylander – $863,333 cap hit, RFA 2021
Kirby Dach – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2022
Adam Boqvist – $894,167 cap hit, RFA 2022
Andrew Shaw – $3.90 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Patrick Kane – $10.5 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2023
Jonathan Toews – $10.5 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2023
Alex DeBrincat – $6.40 million cap hit, RFA 2023
Defensemen
Calvin De Haan – $4.55 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Olli Maatta – $4.083333 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Connor Murphy – $3.85 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Duncan Keith – $5.538462 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2023
Brent Seabrook – $6.875 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2024
Goaltenders
Collin Delia – $1 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Buyouts
None
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Chicago owns the 17th overall selection in the First Round. Blackhawks have one selection in the Second Round, two selections in the Third Round, and one in each of the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Rounds.
Chicago Blackhawks summary
The Chicago Blackhawks have been hindered by the salary cap for many years now and that looks to be the same outlook for the next few seasons. If Seabrook and Shaw stay on injured reserve, that would help the Blackhawks tremendously. If not, it might be time to move one of the stalwart, high salary superstars and create more flexibility to fill out the roster.
COLORADO AVALANCHE
Cap space: $22,364,405
Notable Free Agents
- Andre Burakovsky RFA
- Vladislav Namestnikov UFA
- Valeri Nichushkin RFA
- Matt Nieto UFA
- Tyson Jost RFA
- Ryan Graves RFA
- Nikita Zadorov RFA
- Colin Wilson UFA
- Kevin Connauton UFA
- Michael Hutchinson UFA
Forwards
Gabriel Landeskog $5.571429 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Matt Calvert $2.85 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Nazem Kadri – $4.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Mikko Rantanen – $9.25 million cap hit, UFA 2025
Nathan MacKinnon – $6.30 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
Joonas Donskoi – $3.90 million cap hit, UFA 2023
J.T. Compher – $3.50 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Defensemen
Cale Makar – $880,883 cap hit, RFA 2021
Ian Cole – $4.25 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Samuel Girard – $5.00 million cap hit, UFA 2027
Erik Johnson – $6 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2023
Goaltenders
Philipp Grubauer $3.333333 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Pavel Francouz – $2.00 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Buyouts
None
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Avalanche own the 24th pick in the First Round. Colorado has one selection in the Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Rounds.
Colorado Avalanche summary
Currently one of the elite teams in the NHL, GM Joe Sakic has done amazing job with contracts and getting maximum value for term of contracts. The Avalanche have no dead money or long contracts that hinder the future. As they tweak the roster and solidify goaltending, they have a lot of options to work with for the 2020-2021 season and beyond.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Cap space: $7,025,000
Notable Free Agents
- Pierre-Luc Dubois RFA
- Josh Anderson RFA
- Devin Shore RFA
- Kevin Stenlund RFA
- Vladislav Gavrikov RFA
- Gabriel Carlsson RFA
Forwards
Brandon Dubinsky – $5.85 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2021
Nick Foligno – $5.50 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2021
Riley Nash – $2.75 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Oliver Bjorkstrand – $2.50 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Boone Jenner – $3.75 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Cam Atkinson – $5.875 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2025
Gustav Nyquist – $5.50 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Alexander Wennberg – $4.90 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Defensemen
Ryan Murray – $4.60 million cap hit, UFA 2021
David Savard – $4.25 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Andrew Peeke – $916,667 cap hit, RFA 2021
Seth Jones – $5.40 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Zach Werenski – $5.00 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Markus Nutivaara – $2.70 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Scott Harrington – $1.633333 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Goaltenders
Elvis Merzlikins – $4.00 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Joonas Korpisalo – $2.80 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Buyouts:
Scott Hartnell – 1.25 million for the 2020-2021 season
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Columbus owns the 21st selection in the First Round. Blue Jackets do not own a Second and Third Round selection and one selection in the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Rounds.
Columbus Blue Jackets summary
Columbus will need to move some pieces to retain their RFAs. Brandon Dubinsky is expected to land on long term injured reserve, which would free up some cap space there. Columbus will make moves to enhance the roster but don’t look for them to make big signings on the free agent market unless they clear current contracts.
DALLAS STARS
Cap space: $13,991,302
Notable Free Agents
- Corey Perry UFA
- Radek Faksa RFA
- Roope Hintz RFA
- Denis Gurianov RFA
- Andrej Sekera UFA
- Anton Khudobin UFA
- Mattias Janmark UFA
Forwards
Joel Kiviranta – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Andrew Cogliano – $3.25 million NTC, UFA 2021
Blake Comeau $2.40 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Jason Dickinson $1.5 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Joe Pavelski – $7.00 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2022
Alexander Radulov – $6.25 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2022
Tyler Seguin – $9.85 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2027
Jamie Benn – $9.50 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2025
Defensemen
Miro Heiskanen $894,166 cap hit, RFA 2021
Stephen Johns $2.35 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Jamie Oleksiak $2.1375 million cap hit, UFA 2021
John Klingberg – $4.25 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Esa Lindell – $5.80 million cap hit, UFA 2025
Andrej Sekera – $1.5 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Goaltenders
Ben Bishop – $4.916666 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2023
Buyouts
Valeri Nichushkin – $450,000 for the 2020-2021 season
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Dallas owns the 30th selection in the First Round. Stars do not own a selection in the Second or Third Rounds. Dallas has one selection in the Fourth and Fifth Rounds and two selections in the Sixth Round.
Dallas Stars summary
The Western Conference Champions are in a great position to re-sign their RFAs. They will need to make a decision with goaltending and strengthen their roster around their long term contracts. After 2020-21, they will need to pay Heiskanen a hefty contract so definitely will need to leave room for that going into the 2021-22 season.
DETROIT RED WINGS
Cap space: $25,766,667
Notable Free Agents
- Adam Erne RFA
- Tyler Bertuzzi RFA
- Anthony Mantha RFA
- Brendan Perlini RFA
- Trevor Daley UFA
- Madison Bowey RFA
- Jimmy Howard UFA
Forwards
Darren Helm – $3.85 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Valtteri Filppula – $3.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Luke Glendening – $1.80 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Sam Gagner – $850,000 cap hit, UFA 2021
Frans Nielsen – $5.25 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Robby Fabbri – $2.95 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Dylan Larkin – $6.10 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Justin Abdelkader – $4.25 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
Defensemen
Marc Staal – $5.70 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Patrik Nemeth – $3.00 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Danny DeKeyser – $5.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Goaltenders
Jonathan Bernier – $3.00 million cap hit, UFA 2021
LTIR
Forward Henrik Zetterberg 6.08 million (currently on long term injury reserve)
Buyouts
Steven Weiss – 1.67 million for the 2020-2021 season
2020-21 Draft Outlook
The Red Wings own the fourth overall selection in the first round. Detroit has three selections in the second round, two selections in the third round, and one selection in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds. They have 10 draft picks total in this draft currently.
Detroit Red Wings summary
The canvas to shape the Detroit Red Wings for the 2020-21 season and beyond is completely blank essentially. GM Steve Yzerman will look to duplicate his success with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the same executive role.
Detroit has cap space, high draft selections this season and next season, no hideously long term contracts, and no dead money after 2020-21. There is a lot of work to be done and moves to be made but if Detroit has the resources to become elite again in three to five years if they can hit the right chords.
EDMONTON OILERS
Cap space: $8,766,182
Notable Free Agents
- Andreas Athanasiou RFA
- Riley Sheahan UFA
- Tyler Ennis UFA
- Ethan Bear RFA
- Mike Smith UFA
Forwards
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – $6.00 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Alex Chiasson – $2.15 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Jujhar Khaira – $1.20 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Kailer Yamamoto – $894,166 cap hit, RFA 2021
Josh Archibald – $1.50 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Connor McDavid – $12.50 million cap hit, UFA 2026
Leon Draisaitl – $8.50 million cap hit, UFA 2025
James Neal – $5.75 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Zack Kassian – $3.20 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Defensemen
Adam Larsson – $4.166666 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Kris Russell $4.00 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2021
Darnell Nurse – $5.60 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Oscar Klefbom – $4.167 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Caleb Jones – $850,000 cap hit, RFA 2022
Goaltenders
Mikko Koskinen – $4.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Buyouts
Benoit Pouliot – $1.33 million for the 2020-21 season
Andrej Sekera – $2.50 million per year for the 2020-21 season and $1.50 million in each of the next two seasons
Retained Salary
Milan Lucic – $750,000 of retained salary for the next three seasons
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Edmonton owns the 14th pick in the first round. The Oilers do not have a selection in the second, third, or fourth rounds. Edmonton has one selection in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
Edmonton Oilers summary
The Oilers will actively try to trade and clear up cap space while filling other needs on the roster. This season will be especially challenging with $4.5 million of dead money to work around. Edmonton has two reigning League MVPs in McDavid and Draisaitl to build around.
FLORIDA PANTHERS
Cap space: 21.74 million
Notable Free Agents
- Evgeni Dadonov UFA
- Mike Hoffman UFA
- Erik Haula UFA
- Brian Boyle UFA
- Mark Pysyk UFA
- MacKenzie Weegar RFA
- Dryden Hunt RFA
- Aleksi Saarela RFA
- Lucas Wallmark RFA
Forwards
Aleksander Barkov – $5.90 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2022
Frank Vatrano – $2.533333 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Noel Acciari – $1.666667 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Jonathan Huberdeau – $5.90 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2023
Patric Hornqvist – $5.30 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
Brett Connolly – $3.50 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Defensemen
Anton Stralman – $5.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Aaron Ekblad – $7.50 million cap hit, UFA 2025
Keith Yandle – $6.35 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2023
Riley Stillman – $773,333 cap hit, RFA 2021
Goaltenders
Chris Driedger – $850,000 cap hit, UFA 2021
Sergei Bobrovsky – $10.00 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2026
Buyouts
Scott Darling – $2.33 million for the 2020-21 season, $1.83 million per year for the following 2 seasons
Retained Salary/Cap Recapture
Jason Demers – Retained Salary of $563,000 for 2020-21 season
Roberto Luongo – $1.09 million for the next two seasons
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Florida owns the 12th pick in the first round. Panthers have one selection in the second round, two selections in the third round and one selection in the fourth, fifth and seventh rounds.
Florida Panthers summary
Florida is one of the few teams with a lot of cap space but many holes to fill while filling out the rest of the roster. With a large portion of the cap being used on goaltending and defense, they will need to move some for more flexibility moving forward.
LOS ANGELES KINGS
Cap space: $16,953,940
Notable Free Agents
- Trevor Lewis UFA
- Nikolai Prokhorkin RFA
- Ben Hutton UFA
- Joakim Ryan UFA
Forwards
Alex Iafallo – $2.43 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Dustin Brown – $5.875 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Jeff Carter – $5.272727 cap hit, UFA 2022
Adrian Kempe – $2 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Gabriel Vilardi – $894,167 cap hit, RFA 2022
Martin Frk – $725,000 cap hit, UFA 2022
Blake Lizotte – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Trevor Moore – $775,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Michael Amadio – $700,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Anze Kopitar – $10.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Austin Wagner – $1.133333 million cap hit, RFA 2023
Defensemen
Drew Doughty – $11.00 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2027
Sean Walker – $2.65 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Michael Anderson – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2022
Kurtis MacDermid – $875,000 cap hit, UFA 2022
Matt Roy – $700,000 cap hit, UFA 2021
Goaltenders
Cal Petersen – $858,333 cap hit,
Jonathan Quick – $5.80 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Buyouts
Dion Phaneuf – $4.06 million for the 2020-21 season and $1.06 million per year for the following 2 seasons
Mike Richards – $700k in 2020-21, $900k for 2021-22 and 2022-23, $700k in 2023-24 and 2024-25, $600k in 2025-26 and 2026-27
Ilya Kovalchuk – $6.25 million for the 2020-21 season
2020-21 Draft Outlook
The Kings have the second overall selection in the first round. Los Angeles has three selections in the second round, two selections in the third round, two selections in the fourth round, one selection in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds. They have 11 picks total in this draft.
Los Angeles Kings summary
The Los Angeles Kings are set up for the future. 11 picks in this year’s draft and 10 picks in the 2021 draft on top of a deep prospect pool. They can spend towards next year but with $11 million in dead money for the 2020-21 season, they are one year away from spending big in free agency. All the high end talent on low entry level deals give them the time they need to make an impact in the not so distant future.
MINNESOTA WILD
Cap space: $11,975,578
Notable Free Agents
- Alex Galchenyuk UFA
- Mikko Koivu UFA
- Jordan Greenway RFA
- Nico Sturm RFA
- Luke Kunin RFA
Forwards
Marcus Johansson – $4.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Kevin Fiala – $3 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Marcus Foligno – $2.875 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Nick Bjugstad – $2.05 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Ryan Hartman – $1.90 million cap it, RFA 2021
Ryan Donato – $1.90 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Joel Eriksson Ek – $1.4875 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Kirill Kaprizov – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Forward Victor Rask – $4 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Forward Zach Parise – $7.538461 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2025
Forward Mats Zuccarello – $6.00 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2024
Defensemen
Greg Pateryn – $2.25 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Brad Hunt – $700,000 cap hit, UFA 2021
Jared Spurgeon – $7.58 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2027
Ryan Suter – $7.538461 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2025
Matt Dumba – $6.00 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Jonas Brodin – $4.17 million cap hit for 2020-2
Goaltenders
Devan Dubnyk $4.33 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Alex Stalock – $785,000 cap hit, UFA 2022
Buyouts
None
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Minnesota has the 9th overall selection in the first round. The Wild have one selection in the second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
Minnesota Wild summary
The Wild have a lot of money tied into players nearing the tail end of their careers, which might hinder them down the road. Minnesota has a lot of money coming off the books this season which will help them with more flexibility next season.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Cap space: $10,202,024
Notable Free Agents
- Max Domi RFA
- Victor Mete RFA
- Xavier Ouellet RFA
- Charles Hudon RFA
- Dale Weise UFA
- Christian Folin UFA
Forwards
Tomas Tatar – $4.80 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Brendan Gallagher – $3.75 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Phillip Danault – $3.083333 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Joel Armia – $2.60 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Artturi Lehkonen – $2.40 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Jordan Weal – $1.40 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Jesperi Kotkaniemi – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Nick Suzuki – $863,333 cap hit, RFA 2022
Jonathan Drouin – $5.50 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Paul Byron – $3.40 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Defensemen
Karl Alzner – $4.625 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Ben Chiarot – $3.50 million cap hit NTC, UFA 2022
Brett Kulak – $1.85 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Alexander Romanov – $894,167 cap hit, RFA 2022
Shea Weber – $7.86 million cap hit, UFA 2026
Jeff Petry – $5.50 million cap hit in 2020-21
Joel Edmundson – $3.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Goaltenders
Carey Price $10.5 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2026
Jake Allen $4.35 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Buyouts
None
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Canadiens have the 16th overall selection in the first round. Montreal has three selections in the second round, one in the third round, three in the fourth round, and one each in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
Montreal Canadiens summary
The Canadiens are set up for the future with 11 draft picks in 2020 Draft and 11 in the 2021 draft. After the 2020 season, they will have a lot of cap flexibility to keep their free agents and shop the free agency market. If GM Marc Bergevin pushes the right buttons, the Canadiens can be back in contention sooner than later.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Cap space: $8,192,190
Notable Free Agents
- Craig Smith UFA
- Mikael Grunland UFA
- Yannick Weber UFA
- Colin Blackwell UFA
Forwards
Nick Bonino – $4.10 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Filip Forsberg – $6.00 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Rocco Grimaldi – $2.00 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Calle Jarnkrok – $2.00 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Matt Duchene – $8.00 million cap hit, UFA 2026
Ryan Johansen – $8.00 million cap hit, UFA 2025
Kyle Turris – $6.00 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Victor Arvidsson – $4.25 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Colton Sissons – $2.86 million cap hit, UFA 2026
Austin Watson – $1.50 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Defensemen
Steven Santini – $1.416667 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Dante Fabbro – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Mattias Ekholm – $3.75 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Roman Josi – $9.059 million cap hit, NMC UFA 2028
Ryan Ellis – $6.25 million cap hit, UFA 2027
Goaltenders
Pekka Rinne – $5.00 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2021
Juuse Saros – $1.50 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Buyouts
None
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Nashville has the 11th overall pick in the first round. The Predators have two selections in the second round, two selections in the third round, and one selection in the fifth and sixth rounds.
Nashville Predators summary
The Predators are set up with a lot of long term contracts for cornerstone players. They can tweak and make trades (only Josi and Rinne have no movement clauses) but what you see is what you get. Perfect trade partners and that is the avenue they will most likely explore most to improve the roster.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Cap space: $26,245,001
Notable Free Agents
- Jesper Bratt RFA
- Mackenzie Blackwood RFA
- Kevin Rooney UFA
- Joseph Anderson RFA
- John Hayden RFA
- Frederik Claesson UFA
- Mirco Mueller RFA
- Dakota Mermis UFA
Forwards
Travis Zajac – $5.75 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Kyle Palmeri – $4.65 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Nikita Gusev – $4.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Michael Mcleod – $863,333 cap hit, RFA 2021
Miles Wood – $2.75 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Pavel Zacha – $2.25 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Jack Hughes – $925k cap hit, RFA 2022
Nico Hischier – 7.25 million cap hit, UFA 2027
Defensemen
Connor Carrick – $1.50 million cap hit, UFA 2021
P.K. Subban – $9.00 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Will Butcher – $3.733333 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Damon Severson – $4.166666 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Goaltenders
Cory Schneider – $6.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Buyouts
Mike Cammalleri – $1.67 million per year for the 2020-21 season
Ilya Kovalchuk – $250,000 per year for the next five seasons
2020-21 Draft Outlook
New Jersey has the 7th, 18th and 20th selections in the first round. The Devils have one selection in the third round, two selections in the fourth round, and one each in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
New Jersey Devils summary
The Devils are rebuilding and have many options to improve the roster. New Jersey has draft picks they can select and groom while gaining a lot of cap space over the next two seasons to re-sign their own RFAs and make splashes in free agency. With the right moves, the Devils can be back on top of the Metropolitan Division in three years.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Cap space: $8,905,833
Notable Free Agents
- Mathew Barzal RFA
- Matt Martin UFA
- Derick Brassard UFA
- Ryan Pulock RFA
- Devon Toews RFA
- Andy Greene UFA
- Thomas Greiss UFA
Forwards
Casey Cizikas – $3.35 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Anthony Beauvillier – $2.10 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Michael Dal Colle – $700,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Cal Clutterbuck – $3.50 million cap space, UFA 2022
Leo Komarov – $3.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Anders Lee – $7.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2026
Brock Nelson – $6.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2025
Jordan Eberle – $5.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Andrew Ladd – $5.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
Josh Bailey – $5.00 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Jean-Gabriel Pageau – $5 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2026
Defensemen
Adam Pelech – $1.60 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Johnny Boychuk – $6.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Nick Leddy – $5.50 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Thomas Hickey – $2.50 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Noah Dobson – $894,000 cap hit, RFA 2022
Scott Mayfield – $1.45 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Goaltenders
Ilya Sorokin – $2 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Semyon Varlamov – $5.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
Buyouts
None
2020-21 Draft Outlook
The Islanders do not own a first or second round selection. New York has one pick in each of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
New York Islanders summary
The Eastern Conference finalists have set their franchise up for success for years to come. New York will need to create cap space to re-sign their RFAs and UFAs, especially without draft picks in the higher rounds this upcoming draft. Ladd seems to be the odd man out and a potential buyout to create space, along with other crafty trades to create cap space.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Cap space: $23,091,867
Notable Free Agents
- Ryan Strome RFA
- Brendan Lemieux RFA
- Jesper Fast UFA
- Anthony Deangelo RFA
- Alexandar Georgiev RFA
- Phillip Di Giuseppe RFA
- Greg McKegg UFA
- Michael Haley UFA
Forwards
Pavel Buchnevich – $3.25 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Filip Chytil – $894,166 cap hit, RFA 2021
Julien Gauthier – $863,333 cap hit, RFA 2021
Brett Howden – $863,333 cap hit, RFA 2021
Mika Zibanejad – $5.35 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2022
Kaapo Kakko – $925k cap hit, RFA 2022
Artemi Panarin – $11.6 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2026
Chris Kreider – $6.50 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2027
Defensemen
Brendan Smith – $4.35 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Ryan Lindgren – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Adam Fox – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2022
Jacob Trouba – $8.00 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2026
Goaltenders
Igor Shesterkin – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Buyouts
- Kevin Shattenkirk – $6.08 million for the 2020-21 season, $1.4 million in each of the next 2 seasons
- Henrik Lundqvist- $5.50 million for the 2020-21 season, $1.5 million for the 2021-22 season
- Ryan Spooner – $300,000 cap hit for the 2020-21 season
- Dan Girardi – $1.11 million cap hit in each of the next 3 seasons
2020-21 Draft Outlook
The Rangers own the 1st and 22nd selections in the first round. New York owns two picks in the third found, one pick in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds, and three picks in the seventh round.
New York Rangers summary
The Rangers have created enough cap space to sign their impending RFAs and UFAs while filling out the rest of the roster. After the 2020-21 season, they will have a lot of money coming off the book so they are one year away from swimming back to the top of the Metropolitan Division.
With $12 million in dead money this upcoming season, New York is biting the bullet now to lock up their core players in the future while possibly making one big free agent signing this season.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Cap space: $4,735,273
Notable Free Agents
- Philippe Myers RFA
- Tyler Pitlick UFA
- Derek Grant UFA
- Nate Thompson UFA
- Nolan Patrick RFA
- Justin Braun UFA
Forwards
Scott Laughton – $2.30 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Michael Raffl – $1.60 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Claude Giroux – $8.28 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2022
Sean Couturier – $4.33 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Nicolas Aube-Kubel – $1.075 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Joel Farabee – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2022
Jakub Voracek – $8.25 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Kevin Hayes – $7.142857 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2026
Travis Konecny – $5.5 million cap hit, UFA 2025
James van Riemsdyk – $7.00 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Oscar Lindblom – $3.00 million cap hit, RFA 2023
Defensemen
Matt Niskanen – $5.75 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Travis Sanheim – $3.25 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Robert Hagg -$1.6 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Ivan Provorov – $6.75 million cap hit, UFA 2025
Shayne Gostisbehere – $4.5 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Goaltenders
Carter Hart – $730,833 cap hit, RFA 2021
Brian Elliott – $1.5 million cap hit, UFA 2021
LTIR
Samuel Morin – $700,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Buyouts
- Andrew MacDonald – $1.97 million for the 2020-21 season
- David Schlemko – $600k for the 2020-21 season
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Philadelphia has the 23rd overall selection in the first round. The Flyers have one selection each of the second, fourth, fifth and sixth rounds. They also have two selections in the seventh round.
Philadelphia Flyers summary
The Flyers will need to get creative to create more cap space to sign their RFAs and secure their goaltending towards the future. Philadelphia definitely has potential to trade or create a buyout situation to keep contention at the top of the Eastern Conference.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Cap space: $2,634,825
Notable Free Agents
- Patrick Marleau UFA
- Conor Sheary UFA
- Matt Murray RFA
- Justin Schultz UFA
- Dominik Simon RFA
- Sam Lafferty RFA
- Anthony Angello RFA
Forwards
Colton Sceviour – $1.20 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Zach Aston-Reese – $1 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Teddy Blueger – $750,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Evgeni Malkin – $9.50 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2022
Bryan Rust – $3.50 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Kasperi Kapanen – $3.20 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Jared McCann – $2.94 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Sidney Crosby – $8.70 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2025
Jake Guentzel – $6.00 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Jason Zucker – $5.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
Brandon Tanev – $3.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2025
Defensemen
John Marino – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Kris Letang – $7.25 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2022
Juuso Riikola – $1.15 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Michael Matheson – $4.875 million cap hit, UFA 2026
Brian Dumoulin – $4.10 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Marcus Pettersson – $4.025175 million cap hit, UFA 2025
Jack Johnson – $3.25 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Goaltenders
Tristan Jarry – $3.5 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Casey DeSmith – $1.25 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Retained Salary
Nick Bjugstad – $2.05 million for the 2020-21 season
2020-21 Draft Outlook
The Penguins do not own a first or second round selection. Pittsburgh has one pick in each of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth rounds.
Pittsburgh Penguins summary
The Penguins have a very tight cap number heading into free agency. With a lot of contracts with term on the books already, they will need to clear space to sign their RFAs.
More trades or potential buyout to come from Pittsburgh. They are in win now mode with not many high draft picks in the next two upcoming Drafts.
SAN JOSE SHARKS
Cap space: $14,131,667
Notable Free Agents
- Joe Thornton UFA
- Stefan Noesen UFA
- Kevin Labanc RFA
- Melker Karlsson UFA
- Aaron Dell UFA
Forwards
Marcus Sorensen – $1.50 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Dylan Gambrell – $700,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Tomas Hertl – $5.63 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Logan Couture – $8.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2027
Evander Kane – $7.00 million cap hit, NTC, 2025
Timo Meier – $6.00 million cap hit, RFA 2023
Defensemen
Mario Ferraro – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2022
Erik Karlsson – $11.5 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2027
Brent Burns – $8.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2025
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – $7.00 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2026
Radim Simek – $2.25 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Goaltenders
Martin Jones – $5.75 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Buyouts
None
2020-21 Draft Outlook
The Sharks have the 31st overall selection in the first round. San Jose has two selections in the second round, two selections in the fifth round, and two selections in the seventh round.
San Jose Sharks summary
The San Jose Sharks have all their core players locked into long term contracts. The Sharks will look to add depth with their remaining cap space as they were decimated by injuries in the 2019-20 season.
ST. LOUIS BLUES
Cap space: $5,153,096
Notable Free Agents
- Alex Pietrangelo UFA
- Vince Dunn RFA
- Troy Brouwer UFA
Forwards
Alexander Steen – $5.75 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Jaden Schwartz – $5.35 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Tyler Bozak – $5.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Zachary Sanford – $1.50 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Ivan Barbashev – $1.475 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Robert Thomas – $894,166 cap hit, RFA 2021
Jacob Kyrou – $758,333 cap hit, RFA 2021
Jacob De La Rose – $700,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
David Perron – $4.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Samuel Blais – $1.50 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Vladimir Tarasenko – $7.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
Ryan O’Reilly – $7.50 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Brayden Schenn – $6.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2028
Oskar Sundqvist – $2.75 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Defensemen
Carl Gunnarsson – $1.75 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Colton Parayko – $5.5 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Robert Bortuzzo – $1.375 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Justin Faulk – $6.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2027
Marco Scandella – $3.275 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Goaltenders
Jordan Binnington – $4.40 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Buyouts
None
2020-21 Draft Outlook
The Blues have the 26th overall selection in the first round. The Blues have two selections in the third round, one selection in the fourth round, two selections in the fifth round, and one selection in the seventh round.
St. Louis Blues summary
The 2019 Stanley Cup champions are hard pressed against the salary cap ceiling while it looks like they will lose their captain in free agency. The Blues will need to clear some cap space somehow some way to retain other pieces from their title run.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Cap space: $5,333,334
Notable Free Agents
- Mikhail Sergachev RFA
- Kevin Shattenkirk UFA
- Erik Cernik RFA
- Patrick Maroon UFA
- Anthony Cirelli RFA
- Mitchell Stephens RFA
- Zach Bogosian UFA
- Luke Schenn UFA
- Jan Rutta UFA
Forwards
Blake Coleman – $1.80 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Cedric Paquette – $1.65 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Barclay Goodrow – $925,000 cap hit, UFA 2021
Brayden Point – $6.75 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Ondrej Palat – $5.30 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Nikita Kucherov – $9.50 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2027
Steven Stamkos – $8.50 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2024
Yanni Gourde – $5.166666 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2025
Tyler Johnson – $5.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Alex Killorn – $4.45 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
Defensemen
Braydon Coburn – $1.70 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Victor Hedman – $7.875 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2025
Ryan McDonagh – $6.75 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2026
Goaltenders
Curtis McElhinney – $1.30 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Andrei Vasilevskiy – $9.50 million cap hit, UFA 2028
Buyouts
None
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Tampa Bay does not own a first round pick. The Lightning have one selection in the second round, two selections in the third round, two selections in the fourth round, two selections in the sixth round, and one selection in the seventh round.
Tampa Bay Lightning summary
The 2020 Stanley Cup champions have their core signed long term. Tampa Bay is right at the cusp of the salary cap so they will need to clear space to sign their RFAs and UFAs if they choose to.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Cap space: $5,406,467
Notable Free Agents
- Ilya Mikheyev RFA
- Evan Rodrigues RFA
- Frederik Gauthier RFA
- Kyle Clifford UFA
- Jason Spezza UFA
- Codi Ceci UFA
- Tyson Barrie UFA
- Travis Dermott RFA
Forwards
Zach Hyman – $2.25 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Auston Matthews – $11.634 million cap hit, UFA 2024
John Tavares – $11.00 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2025
Mitch Marner – $10.893 million cap hit, UFA 2025
William Nylander – $6.962366 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Alexander Kerfoot – $3.50 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Andreas Johnsson – $3.40 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Pierre Engvall – $1.25 million cap hit, RFA 2022
Nicholas Robertson – $821,667 cap hit, RFA 2023
Defensemen
Calle Rosen – $750,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Morgan Reilly – $5.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Rasmus Sandin – $894,167 cap hit, RFA 2022
Timothy Liljegren – $863,333 cap hit, RFA 2022
Jake Muzzin – $5.625 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2024
Justin Holl – $2.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
Martin Marincin – $700,000 cap hit, UFA 2021
Goaltenders
Frederik Andersen $5.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Jack Campbell – $1.65 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Retained Cap
Phil Kessel – $1.20 million per year for the next two seasons
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Toronto owns the 15th overall selection in the first round. The Maple Leafs have one selection in the second round, two selections in the fourth round, one selection in the fifth round and three selection in each of the sixth and seventh rounds.
Toronto Maple Leafs summary
The Maple Leafs have very little salary cap space to work with and many RFAs and UFAs of their own to re-sign. They will need to make some moves to clear up cap space through trades or buyouts.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Cap space: $14,298,122
Notable Free Agents
- Tyler Toffoli UFA
- Jacob Markstrom UFA
- Tyler Motte RFA
- Jake Virtanen RFA
- Adam Gaudette RFA
- Josh Leivo UFA
- Zack MacEwen RFA
- Christopher Tanev UFA
- Troy Stecher RFA
- Oscar Fantenberg UFA
- Louis Domingue UFA
Forwards
Elias Pettersson – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Tanner Pearson – $3.75 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Brandon Sutter – $4.375 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Sven Baertschi – $3.366666 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Loui Eriksson – $6.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Brock Boeser – $5.875 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Antoine Roussel – $3.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Jay Beagle – $3.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Bo Horvat – $5.50 million cap hit, UFA 2023
J.T. Miller – $5.25 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Michael Ferland – $3.50 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2023
Defensemen
Quinn Hughes – $916,667 cap hit, RFA 2021
Alexander Edler – $6.00 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2021
Jordie Benn – $2.00 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Tyler Myers – $6.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Goaltenders
Thatcher Demko $1.05 million, RFA 2021
Buyouts
Ryan Spooner – $1.033333 million for the 2020-21 season
Cap Recapture Penalty
Roberto Luongo – $3.035212 million cap hit for the next two seasons
2020-21 Draft Outlook
The Canucks do not own a first or second round selection. Vancouver has one selection in each of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
Vancouver Canucks summary
The Canucks have a bright future but a lot of money tied into short term bad contracts. Look for them to trade or make a buyout to free up space to lock up their top talent long term.
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Cap space: $0
Notable Free Agents
- Nick Cousins RFA
- Chandler Stephenson RFA
- Tomas Nosek UFA
- Deryk Engelland UFA
- Jon Merrill UFA
Forwards
Paul Stastny – $6.50 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Reilly Smith – $5.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Ryan Reaves – $1.75 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Cody Glass – $863,333 cap hit, RFA 2022
Mark Stone – $9.50 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2027
Max Pacioretty – $7.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
William Karlsson – $5.90 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2027
Jonathan Marchessault – $5.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Alex Tuch – $4.75 million cap hit, UFA 2026
William Carrier – $1.40 million cap hit, UFA 2024
Defensemen
Alec Martinez – $4.00 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Brayden McNabb – $2.50 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Nick Holden – $1.70 million cap hit, UFA 2022
Zach Whitecloud – $725,000 cap hit, RFA 2022
Nate Schmidt – $5.95 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2025
Shea Theodore – $5.20 million cap hit, UFA 2025
Goaltender
Robin Lehner – $5 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2025
Marc-Andre Fleury – $7.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2022
Buyouts
Tomas Tatar – $500,000 for the 2020-21 season
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Vegas owns the 29th overall selection in the first round. The Golden Knights own two selections in the third round, and one selection in each of the sixth and seventh rounds.
Vegas Golden Knights summary
The Golden Knights have their core wrapped up for the long term. Vegas has very little cap space to work with and will need to make a few moves to sign their RFAs.
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Cap space: $8,900,123
Notable Free Agents
- Braden Holtby UFA
- Ilya Kovalchuk UFA
- Brenden Dillion UFA
- Radko Gudas UFA
- Jonas Siegenthaler RFA
- Travis Boyd RFA
Forwards
Alex Ovechkin – $9.538462 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Jakub Vrana $3.35 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Nic Dowd – $750,000 cap hit, UFA 2022
Nicklas Backstrom – $9.20 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2025
Evgeny Kuznetsov – $7.80 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2025
T.J. Oshie – $5.75 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2025
Tom Wilson – $5.166666 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Lars Eller – $3.50 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Carl Hagelin – $2.75 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Richard Panik – $2.75 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Garnet Hathaway – $1.50 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Defensemen
Michal Kempny – $2.50 million cap hit, UFA 2022
John Carlson – $8.00 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2026
Dmitry Orlov – $5.10 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2023
Nick Jensen – $2.50 million cap hit, UFA 2023
Goaltenders
Ilya Samsonov – $925,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Pheonix Copley – $1.1 million cap hit, UFA 2022
2020-21 Draft Outlook
Washington owns the 25th selection in the first round. The Capitals have one selection in each of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth rounds.
Washington Capitals summary
The Capitals have most of their core players locked up long term. They will need to create more cap space by trade or buyouts in the near future.
WINNIPEG JETS
Cap space: $14,077,145
Notable Free Agents
- Dylan DeMelo UFA
- Nathan Beaulieu UFA
- Dmitry Kulikov UFA
- Cody Eakin UFA
- Logan Shaw UFA
- Nick Shore UFA
- Jack Roslovic RFA
- Jansen Harkins RFA
- Sami Niku RFA
Forwards
Patrik Laine – $6.75 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Mathieu Perreault – $4.125 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2021
Adam Lowry – $2.916666 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Andrew Copp – $2.28 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Blake Wheeler – $8.25 million cap hit, NMC, UFA 2024
Kyle Connor – $7.142857 million cap hit, UFA 2026
Mark Scheifele – $6.125 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Nikolaj Ehlers – $6.00 million cap hit, UFA 2025
Defensemen
Neal Pionk – $3.00 million cap hit, RFA 2021
Carl Dahlström – $850,000 cap hit, RFA 2021
Josh Morrissey – $6.25 million cap hit, UFA 2028
Goaltenders
Laurent Brossoit – $1.50 million cap hit, UFA 2021
Connor Hellebuyck – $6.166666 million cap hit, UFA 2024
LTIR
Bryan Little – $5.29 million cap hit, NTC, UFA 2024
Buyouts
None
2020-21 Draft Outlook
The Jets have the 10th overall selection in the first round. Winnipeg has one selection in each of the second, fifth and sixth rounds.
dark. Next. Seattle Kraken Mock Expansion Draft
Winnipeg Jets summary
The Jets have a lot of roster slots to fill for next season and beyond with not a lot of salary cap space. Trades or a buyout will need to happen to create more room to fill out the roster.