NHL 2026-27 season preview: Money explosion sparking major paradigm shift By Mollie Walker Published Sep. 29, 2026, 7:00 a.m. ET Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild is recorded by TNT during the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour at City National Arena, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. Getty Images The NHL opens the 2026-27 season amid a monumental shift to both the financial and player landscapes.
With the hard salary cap soaring from this year’s $104 million to next year’s $113.5 million and to a reported estimate of $127.5 million by 2028-29, numerous new contracts have been drastically inflated as the league adjusts to its new range and its dramatic influence on player valuations.
The sport’s popularity has never been higher. The cash flow has never been so robust.
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And the players are taking control of their fate now more than ever.
