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Report: Estimated 2028-29 NHL Salary Cap, How the Ducks are Impacted

Rising projections suggest astronomical cap growth, transforming once-controversial contracts into long-term bargains. Discover how Anaheim’s ballooning flexibility secures a competitive edge as their young core matures.

Published: Friday, 25 September 2026 at 3:04 PM
Report: Estimated 2028-29 NHL Salary Cap, How the Ducks are Impacted
Key Things to Know
  • The NHL salary cap ceiling is projected to reach $127.5 million for the 2028-29 season.
  • The salary cap is set at $104 million in 2026-27 and projected at $113.5 million in 2027-28.
  • Anaheim's top four young core contracts will see their combined cap share drop from 45.8% to 37.4% by 2028-29.
The Story in 60 Seconds

According to a report from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the projected NHL salary cap ceiling for the 2028-29 season is estimated to reach $127.5 million. The league's cap is set at $104 million for the 2026-27 season and is projected to rise to $113.5 million in 2027-28, significantly expanding financial flexibility for teams such as the Anaheim Ducks.

Anaheim recently signed core players including Leo Carlsson to an $18 million AAV deal, Cutter Gauthier at $13.5 million AAV, Jackson LaCombe at $9 million AAV, and Pavel Mintyukov at $7.2 million. The combined cap hit percentage of these four players is projected to decrease from 45.8% in 2026-27 to 37.4% by 2028-29.

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