In a surprising turn of events, the salary cap could see a significant rise this summer

2022-23: $82.5 million

2023-24: $83.5 million

2024-25: ~$88 million

2025-26: ~$92 million

However, teams in a cap crunch such as the Leafs could get some relief much earlier than expected. Gary Bettman announced at the conclusion of today's Board of Governors meeting that the salary cap could increase as much as $4M in the upcoming offseason - a significant raise from the $1M raise that was originally expected. Bettman was careful to say that the $4M increase would only occur if the player escrow balance is paid off by season's end and that it likely would be.

The surprising $4M increase may not seem like much, but it will provide teams a much better future outlook when players like Auston Matthews are eligible to sign an extension in July. Not that the Leafs are worried about penny pinching to pay their superstar, but the faster the cap rises, the easier it is for the Leafs to fill out the roster around him and keep more of their depth players.