Next year's salary cap a major irritant for GMs.

Managing a roster is far from being easy, wherever you are in the league. You need to hire the best assets possible at the cheapest possible price and still stay under the salary cap constraints imposed by both the NHL and the NHLPA.

Bob McKenzie has a very interesting information about the ongoing state of affairs in the league as of tonight.

What better way to prepare for Game 6 of Stanley Cup final than to talk about next season's salary cap. Well, maybe not, but here we go...
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 11, 2017

Upper limit of the cap is currently $73M. NHLPA is currently in internal discussion on whether to add 5% inflator, which has been customary.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 11, 2017

NHLPA internal debate is whether to apply full 5% inflator or some lesser number than 5 but greater than zero. Virtually no chance it's 0.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 11, 2017

Outside of any growth prediction, or lack thereof, from NHL, a 2% inflator would add about $1.4M to the current upper limit.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 11, 2017

In any case, NHL is hoping NHLPA makes inflator decision no later than next 5 or 6 days. Everyone in hockey eager to see next season cap #.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 11, 2017

This may seem trivial, but there's a huge implication with this year's expansion draft. The more money teams have to spend (especially Vegas) the better player they can hire/keep. Moreover, the UFA season is fast approaching too and it will probably be a very wild market. All these added together makes for a very uncomfortable delay at this point.

Next year's salary cap a major irritant for GMs.

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