The NHL playoff salary cap begins in 2026 and every contender is wondering which team will crack under the new rules first

Starting with the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NHL is introducing a significant salary cap change, which closes a loophole that previously allowed teams to fill their rosters with high-priced players through long-term injured reserve (LTIR) exemptions.

This was announced on September 3, 2025, as part of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, requiring teams to provide a cap-compliant, 20-man roster for every playoff game.

NHL and NHLPA reserve the right to revisit the new playoff salary cap system

In simple terms, the new rule requires teams to provide a salary cap-compliant roster of 20 players to the NHL Central Registry before each playoff game. This means the total cap hits for those players can't go beyond the league's salary cap ceiling—no exceptions.Teams have the option to rotate players between games for some flexibility, but the time of stacking rosters with high-salary stars coming off LTIR is finished. The NHL and NHLPA have included a safeguard: they can revisit the agreement if any unforeseen consequences occur, ensuring the system can change if needed.

Changes to LTIR cap accounting during the regular season are separate but connected. In the past, teams had the option to cover an injured player's entire cap hit with equivalent relief.

Now, when a player is placed on LTIR, teams can only go over the cap by an amount that matches the average league salary from the previous season which is about $4-5 million according to recent data unless both the NHL and NHLPA give the green light for the full amount.

Approval needs to be sure that the player will be out for the whole season, playoffs included—this gets rid of the 'convenient' injury timing right before the trade deadline.

These LTIR changes will be ready by opening night on October 7, 2025, as NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed in a chat with Pierre LeBrun from The Athletic, “The LTI is separate and apart from the playoff cap. It’s just a different set of LTI rules.

That is much simpler to implement, yes. We’ll be ready to go opening night (Oct. 7) with that.”

Daly further elaborated on the rollout: “We’ve agreed on a framework for implementation.

There will be a playoff cap this year. There will be changes to (long-term injured reserve) for this year. The exact implementation details of the cap are still being worked through.” He also sorted the CBA changes into three sections for step-by-step implementation, stressing the need for a smooth shift.

Washington Capitals GM Chris Patrick admits the 2026 NHL playoff salary cap forces teams to rethink

The consequences are significant, pushing teams to take a more cautious and future-oriented strategy. GMs can’t rely on LTIR tricks to enhance their rosters for a Cup chase anymore; every addition has to stay within the cap throughout the year, keeping the playoffs in focus.

This might result in trades happening sooner, a greater focus on depth players instead of superstars, and harder choices regarding injured veterans.The trade deadline, typically a frenzy of deals, is poised for transformation. Washington Capitals GM Chris Patrick told Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: “It’s a big rule change, and like a lot of big rule changes, there will be some things we can foresee and some things we don’t foresee as far as how it’ll impact our decision-making process and how we approach the trade deadline and things like that.”He added further “I guess we’re going to have to go back to the office at training camp here and hunker down and figure out how we approach the longer-term view of the season and how we manage our cap and what we’re looking to do at the trade deadline, given the new constraints that are in place.”Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman, ironically the pioneer of the LTIR tactic with the 2015 Blackhawks, “It’ll probably result in less moves, because you’re always looking ahead.

In the past, you weren’t as concerned if someone wasn’t coming back for the playoffs. That was fine. We went through that last year.”

“We didn’t know when Evander (Kane) would be back. But now, you’re obviously going to have to have a different analysis of it. If they’re going to be back at all, it’s going to impact what moves you’re going to have to make,”he said. Bowman added, “I’m fine with it. I have no issue with it. I think for the most part, it makes sense.

I mean, you want to be playing against teams that are similarly situated with the cap.”Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving captured the rule's commonsense appeal in comments to LeBrun: “You play under a salary cap for 82 games — for six and a half months — and why would that change in the playoffs?"After the deadline, teams encounter more extensive roster issues. Teams with older or injury-prone stars—like Vegas with Stone or Edmonton with possible LTIR candidates—might have to cut salaries during the season or steer clear of risky trades.

The other changes in the CBA make this situation even tougher.An extended 84-game schedule starting in 2026-27 will lead to more wear and tear, while shorter maximum contracts (seven years for re-signings, six for free agents) restrict long-term deals. By 2029-30, minimum salaries will increase to $1 million, and there are now delays in salary retention during trades to stop deadline brokering.Also Read: William Nylander praises John Tavares as true Maple Leafs leader after turning down $60 million for loyaltyThe playoff cap evens things out, rewarding clever, sustainable approaches rather than crafty loophole tricks. According to Daly, the framework is established, but they're still finalizing the details. The 2026 playoffs will show who can adapt—and who breaks under pressure.