NHL salary cap could see $3.1 million maximum increase next season

The NHL's Board of Governors meetings didn't produce a fixed number, but did yield a maximum potential increase in salary parameters for the 2016-17 season.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters the salary cap can increase to, but will not exceed, $74.5 million for the 2016-17 season - a figure that represents a $3.1-million increase from the current payroll structure.

If the cap does indeed expand the maximum amount, the salary floor will be raised to $55.1 million.

NHL executives will take this information with a grain of salt, of course, as the estimations last season proved to be exaggerated, and some cap teams were left scrambling to shed payroll.

Multiple variables, including a Canadian dollar always subject to change, will factor into the final figure.

Bettman did not offer any new information on the ongoing expansion process.