Sharks Lead NHL Cap Rankings With $34.2 Million Ahead of July 1 Free Agency

1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 29

$34.2 million in projected space puts San Jose atop Scott Wheeler’s NHL cap ranking, with Pittsburgh at $27.6 million and Anaheim at $26 million also entering July 1 with major flexibility.
The ranking estimates each club’s room after signed contracts, likely RFA costs and LTIR adjustments, reflecting a summer reshaped by heavy pre-draft trading and a weak unrestricted free-agent class.
San Jose still needs roughly $7 million just to reach the $76.9 million cap floor, while Pittsburgh is expected to target younger trade-market help and Anaheim must absorb costly new RFA deals for Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier.
At the other end, Dallas projects at minus-$7.7 million, making Jason Robertson’s next contract the league’s thorniest cap puzzle, while Montreal, Minnesota and Florida also face tight limits despite playoff ambitions.
The leaguewide picture suggests many teams may lean on trades rather than July 1 spending sprees, with cap room concentrated among rebuilders and only a few contenders holding meaningful flexibility.