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Draisaitl Sets Record $14M Cap Hit Ahead of NHL Season

9/26/2025

38 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The National Hockey League's 2025-26 season opens October 7, 2025.
Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers has a $14 million cap hit.
It surpasses Auston Matthews as the league's highest cap hit.
Featuring Connor McDavid and Kirill Kaprizov, the upcoming free-agent class shapes team dynamics as the Florida Panthers pursue a three-peat with Tkachuk out early.

History

Historical Context

The NHL's 2005-06 season marked a pivotal recovery after the 2004-05 lockout, introducing a salary cap of $39 million that enabled teams like the Edmonton Oilers to enhance their rosters. This financial shift has evolved player contracts, exemplified by Leon Draisaitl's $14 million cap hit in 2025, as teams like the Florida Panthers pursue consecutive championships in a competitive landscape.

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Story summary

The National Hockey League's 2025-26 season opens October 7, 2025.
Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers has a $14 million cap hit.
It surpasses Auston Matthews as the league's highest cap hit.
Featuring Connor McDavid and Kirill Kaprizov, the upcoming free-agent class shapes team dynamics as the Florida Panthers pursue a three-peat with Tkachuk out early.

1 / 2