NHL Rule Change Doubled Bruins' Cap Space Next Season

Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney

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NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made the anticipated 2026-27 cap raise official on Wednesday afternoon. He informed teams and the NHLPA that the league's cap would be going up in all aspects.

The hard cap rose from $95.5 million to $104 million, an $.8.5 million annual increase.

The cap floor was also raised to $76.9 million, but Boston Bruins fans are fortunate enough not to have to worry about that figure.

Boston wasn't exactly strapped for cash heading into 26-27. Before the raise, the team was going to have a little over $8 million to spend on free agents. However, after the cap ceiling was increased, the Bruins will now have a lofty $16.5 million to spend this offseason.

And that is before general manager Don Sweeney makes any potential changes to the Bruins' current roster.

A few big names on the Bruins roster are without a contract heading into next season, including Viktor Arvidsson. Arvidsson played on an expiring $4 million deal last season. He recorded the third-most goals and fifth-most points of all Bruins forwards.

Lukas Reichel and Jordan Harris are also restricted free agents who could expect a contract in the million-dollar AAV range.