The Daily: Salary Cap Forces Florida Panthers to Play Shorthanded

A hefty salary cap increase is expected in 2024. That day seems very far away for the handful of NHL teams struggling with significant salary cap issues.

The Florida Panthers were forced to play with five defensemen Monday in a loss to the Boston Bruins. Instead of carrying the usual roster of 23 players, the Panthers are carrying 20 for salary cap reason.

The Panthers dressed 19 players when defenseman Brandon Montour couldn’t play because of injury.

According to Capfriendly.com, the Panthers are one of nine  NHL teams that have less than $250,000 in cap space remaining. The Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins,  Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks are in that position.

By contrast, the Detroit Red Wings have $6,598,275 in cap space remaining. Three NHL teams (Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres) have more cap space remaining than the Red Wings.

The currently cap is $82.5 million, and is expected to grow by $1 million next summer.

In Case You Missed It

Captain Dylan Larkin makes exceptional play to help the Red Wings win a point against the Los Angeles Kings.

Defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka returned to his QMJHL team without signing with a professional team. He is playing impressively well.

Tyler Bertuzzi will be sidelined four to six weeks with an upper body inury. Jakub Vrana also out for personal reasons.

Hockey Now Network

Calgary: Home success is just what the Flames need to launch the 2022-23 NHL season. Calgary Flames.

New York: Should the Islanders coaches be concerned about the team’s forward production? The answer is ‘yes.’ New York Islanders.

Philadelphia: Flyers off to a solid start, but they have a tough road ahead. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: Coach Dave Sullivan was angry about the Penguins blowing a lead and losing to Montreal. Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose:  SJ Hockey Now’s JD Young writes that the San Jose Sharks may be a bad hockey club. San Jose Sharks. 

Washington: Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the season on a strange play. Washington Capitals