<P> The NHL salary cap is the total amount of money that National Hockey League teams are allowed to pay their players . It is a "hard" cap, meaning there are no exemptions (and thus no luxury tax penalties are required). </P> <P> The actual amount of the cap varies on a year - to - year basis, and is calculated as a percentage of the League's revenue from the previous season; for instance, in 2007--08, the NHL's salary cap was approximately US $50.3 million per team; for the 2008--09 season it was $56.7 million; for the 2009--10 season it was $56.8 million; for the 2010--11 season it was $59.4 million; and for the 2011--12 season it was $64.3 million . Following the 2012--13 lockout, the 2012--13 salary cap has been set at $60 million, but teams can still spend up to $70.2 million, pro-rated for the shortened season length . Like many professional sports leagues, the NHL has a salary cap to keep teams in larger markets (with more revenue) from signing all of the top players and extending their advantage over smaller - market franchises . This was particularly prevalent during the 90s and first half of the 00s, where the Detroit Red Wings stockpiled expensive high - end performers and subsequently won three Stanley Cups . The New York Rangers used a similar approach, offering massive contracts to marquee, veteran players, but results were invariably dire . </P>

Do signing bonuses count against the cap nhl