With the NHL’s salary cap ceiling rising to $95.5 million, not many teams are worried about being capped out.
To the contrary, 13 NHL teams have at least $10 million in cap space for the 2025-26 season, according to PuckPedia.
Whether it’s legitimate Stanley Cup front-runners or teams just trying to make the playoffs, there are a slew of franchises that are well under the ceiling. And below, in alphabetical order, we’ll discuss six teams that have a lot of cap space – and whether they should use up that room or not.
Anaheim Ducks
Cap Space: $28.9 million
The Ducks have already made a splash this off-season, acquiring veteran left winger Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers, then signing center Mikael Granlund and goalie Ville Husso to improve their experience.
However, Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek has held on to a great deal of his cap space as he continues to build out a roster that can compete for a wild-card spot in the relatively weak Pacific Division.
The Ducks still have about $4.1 million to spend to get to the salary cap floor of $70.6 million, but by the time Verbeek signs RFAs Lukas Dostal and Mason McTavish, Anaheim will get there rather easily.
As many know by now, the 2026 class of free agents figures to be far superior to the thin depth of Grade-A talent in this summer’s off-season, so Verbeek may be strategically holding onto his space throughout the rest of the summer and the regular season. But sooner or later, the Ducks will be in a position to augment their core of talent with more experienced hands.
Buffalo Sabres
Cap Space: $13.6 million
The Sabres have made some cost-conscious moves this summer, moving up-and-coming right winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for two cheaper talents in left winger Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring. They also re-signed RFA center Ryan McLeod and UFA goalie Alex Lyon, leaving them with nearly $14 million in cap space.
That said, Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams has to either sign star RFA defenseman Bowen Byram or trade him, and there’s significant pressure to convert Byram into a veteran who can help the team win now.
That means the Sabres should be more than willing to take on salary cap space in any deal for Byram, as Buffalo fans are frustrated seeing the organization not spend to the cap ceiling. Sabres ownership can’t have any excuses if they want fans to support the team. They must use the cap space they have to be a playoff team next season, and if there are excuses in that regard, Buffalo fans will revolt.
Carolina Hurricanes
Cap Space: $10.6 million
It’s a measure of the stellar cap management by Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky that he’s already made some major moves – acquiring defenseman K’Andre Miler in a trade with the Rangers and signing star left winger Nikolaj Ehlers away from the Winnipeg Jets in free agency – and still has a lot of cap space to spend.
Tulsky has once again built a deep defense corps, but one wonders whether the goaltending tandem of Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov will be strong enough in the playoffs. They re-signed Andersen, whose playoff stats were OK until he allowed 13 goals in four games against the Florida Panthers, but Kochetkov had a rough season and still has two years left on his contract.
If Tulsky leaves the tandem as is, Carolina’s cap space can be used to bulk up the bottom six forwards. The Canes have a formidable top-six group, and Tulsky may have to be patient to see what needs his team has to address in in-season trades. But even if he doesn’t spend another penny, Carolina will challenge for top spot in the Metropolitan Division and a deep playoff run.
Detroit Red Wings
Cap Space: $12.0 million
The Red Wings acquired John Gibson to be their starter in net and signed role players Mason Appleton, James van Riemsdyk and Jacob Bernard-Docker in free agency. Gibson can be a difference-maker, but those other three players aren’t needle-movers in any sense.
Thus, in a highly competitive Atlantic Division, we still don’t see Detroit as a playoff team right now. But Wings GM Steve Yzerman still has cap space to use in trades. His team lacks sufficient high-end talent to compete with Atlantic front-runners, such as the defending Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
So far during his time as Detroit GM, Yzerman’s biggest trade acquisition was arguably Alex DeBrincat. He missed out on finding another Grade-A skater in free agency, so unless he pulls off a blockbuster, we’re skeptical he’ll be able to acquire the talent he needs to put his group into legitimate playoff contention. Gibson will be the X-factor if the roster stays as it is.
Seattle Kraken
Cap Space: $11.1 million
Seattle has been one of the more aggressive teams in trades and free agency this summer, first acquiring winger Mason Marchment from Dallas, then trading for center Frederick Gaudreau from Minnesota and signing UFA defenseman Ryan Lindgren. So this Kraken team has a different look than the one that ended the season well out of a playoff position.
Kraken GM Jason Botterill has a good deal of cap space left, but some of that will go to RFA winger Kaapo Kakko. Even then, Seattle will have enough cap space to go out and trade for an experienced hand up front. But we anticipate Botterill will show patience and wait until next season unfolds before he targets an area that can be addressed via trade. The Kraken are intent on making the playoffs in 2025-26, but they still need more quality depth to be a surefire playoff team.
Winnipeg Jets
Cap Space: $19.8 million
The Jets were the NHL’s best regular-season team in 2024-25. Although their offensive potency took a hit with the departure of Ehlers to Carolina, they now have more than enough cap space to address more than one of their needs by acquiring a proven contributor or two.
If Winnipeg does have an area to focus on in trades, it’s their bottom six forwards. Signing star center Jonathan Toews to be their second-line pivot is a gamble of sorts, but it could pay off spectacularly.
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has never been afraid of making moves in-season. So we expect Winnipeg will use its cap space to remain one of the most dangerous teams in the Central Division and the NHL.
Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.