NHL: Nashville Predators at Toronto Maple Leafs - Source: Imagn — NHL insider Pierre LeBrun talked about Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen's new contract numbers (Source: Imagn)

"Affects Mitch Marner, Mikko Rantanen’s camp" - Insider reveals how NHL salary cap increase impacts multiple superstars' future

Modified Dec 12, 2024 14:52 GMT

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner and Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen are in the last year of their contract. They are awaiting a contract extension from their respective teams. However, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun has come up with a fresh perspective about how their contract would look in figures.

The NHL salary cap will increase next season to $92.4 million, up from this year’s $88 million. The league expects $6.6 billion in revenue this season, which supports the increase. Players like Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen, nearing free agency, are directly affected by this change.

In a discussion on SC with Jay Onrait, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun mentioned how their next contracts could reflect the new cap.

“This is really the first time that we’ve left the December Board of Governors Meeting, Jay, where owners didn’t have just one figure to worry about. Usually, this is where they get next year’s cap ballpark number right...," LeBrun said.

"But what Gary Bettman explained ... is that maybe we’ll negotiate a new cap number with the NHLPA ... because the revenues are about to explode in the NHL."

He further added:

"It matters a lot to GMs and to teams when they’re trying to calculate these extensions, not just, obviously, McDavid and Kaprizov, who can sign one year out, but it affects Mitch Marner’s camp, Mikko Rantanen’s camp, those guys at UFA this year, never mind in a year and a half. And everyone is interested in finding out where the salary cap is headed.” (3:08)

Rantanen’s six-year, $55.5 million deal has a $9.25 million cap hit per year. Marner’s six-year, $65.4 million contract carries a $10.9 million cap hit annually. Their new cap hit could significantly go up in their next contract.

This season, Mikko Rantanen has 18 goals, 24 assists and 42 points, ranking fourth in points. Mitch Marner has 10 goals, 28 assists and 38 points, ranking tied for seventh in points. Both players are key performers leading their teams' offense.

Gary Bettman's hint about cap limit which could impact Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen's contract

On Tuesday at the Board of Governors meeting, commissioner Gary Bettman talked about the league's opinion on the cap limit for teams.

“The cap under the current guidelines in the Collective Bargaining Agreement would go up five percent,” Bettman said, per NHL.com. “As we look at revenues, we’re going to have discussions with the Players’ Association about escrow levels...."

Normally, the cap rises by a set amount under league rules. These talks could allow an even bigger increase. The league is also considering adjustments to escrow and playoff cap structures.