Following the shocker of a trade that saw pending unrestricted free agent Mikko Rantanen get traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, could the same happen to Mitch Marner? The Toronto Maple Leafs still have a lot of work to do when it comes to contract extensions between now and the summer, but at least they know exactly what they will be dealing with. The NHL and NHLPA announced salary cap ranges for not only the upcoming season but the two following in a somewhat unprecedented move. The NHL salary cap next season will be $95.5 million, an increase of $7.5 million over the $88 million in 2024-25. They also announced an estimated salary cap of $104 million in 2025-26 and $113.5 million in 2026-27, in a move that will "provide increased predictability on core Salary Cap economics for a minimum of the next three years (through 2027-28)" 2025-26 Upper Limit: $95.5 Million Lower Limit: $70.6 Million 2026-27 Upper Limit: $104 Million Lower Limit: $76.9 Million 2027-28 Upper Limit: $113.5 Million Lower Limit: $83.9 Million The NHL and NHLPA note that the numbers in 2027 and 2028 are projections and can be revised. The NHL's current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season, but the fact that the NHL and NHLPA have agreed on numbers beyond that is a great sign for labor negotiations. HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE MAPLE LEAFS? The Leafs have a long laundry list of players who will be free agents at the end of the season. Given this unprecedented clarity, it could help GM Brad Treliving get to work on figuring out some of the long-term contracts he wants signed. According to Puckpedia.com [https://puckpedia.com/team/toronto-maple-leafs], the Leafs now have $28,753,565 of free cap space in 2025-26, and that's followed by $46,403,565 and $61,320,231 in 2026-27, and 27-28, respectively. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyNTA5NjcxMzQ3NDYzNjg5/screenshot-2025-01-31-at-103622am.png] Of course, Mitch Marner is eligible for a contract extension and is an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Knowing that the cap will go to $113.5 million certainly could embolden his camp to remain firm on a desired asking price. Veteran forward John Tavares is also a free agent at the end of the season. The Leafs also have restricted free agents Matthew Knies, Nick Robertson, Connor Dewar and Pontus Holmberg due for new contracts. Having clarity on a 2025-26 doesn't have that much of an impact because numbers around $95.5 have been talked about for a while. But when you already know about big jumps for the following two years, that will get the current crop of free agents salivating. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExNjM5NDEwNTc4NDM0MDI0/googlenews.svg] Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwytvfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
