Big statement from Bettman that will have a direct impact on Hughes and the Canadiens
The NHL GMs are currently in Boca Raton, Florida to discuss several important issues. One of them is the increase of the salary cap in 2023-2024.
Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a press briefing on Wednesday that the league is open to increasing the salary cap by more than $1 million for next season. That would be a big plus for the league's GMs, who, according to the latest reports, are going to have to work with a single million increase this summer, from $82.5M to $83.5M.
An increase greater than the initial projection ($1M), however, would have implications for players. The so-called escrow would increase and thus players would have to give more to the league. A situation that will certainly not please everyone. It will be up to the new executive director of the Players' Association, Marty Walsh, to calm things down.
According to CapFriendly, Kent Hughes currently has $72.9M committed for next season on 17 players (and Karl Alzner). If the cap only goes up by $1M, then he will have $10.6M to invest on another 6 players to reach the maximum 23 allowed for the regular season. Is it necessary to repeat that the GM has to get a contract finalized with Cole Caufield?
Hughes will certainly want, like his counterparts, a little more play to work with because in addition to the number 22, he will also have to come to an agreement with Michael Pezzetta, Alex Belzile, Jesse Ylonen and Denis Gurianov who will all become restricted free agents this summer. That's without counting Alex Belzile and Anthony Richard, who will become free agents without compensation.
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