Examining Dallas Stars Cap Crunch
The NHL’s announcement of a record $104MM salary cap for 2026‑27 was expected to create meaningful flexibility across the league. For the Dallas Stars, though, the numbers remain tight. Per PuckPedia, Dallas is projected to enter the offseason with roughly $11.1MM in functional cap space and 19 players already under contract for their active roster. That level of roster certainty is usually an advantage, but in this case, it leaves GM Jim Nill with very little room to maneuver as he approaches the most consequential negotiation of his tenure.
With nearly $93MM already committed, the remaining cap space averages out to about $2.7MM per open roster spot. A workable number for depth pieces. However, the equation changes entirely once Jason Robertson enters the picture.
Robertson is coming off a 45‑goal, 96‑point season, and his next contract will almost certainly land among the league’s top winger comparables. His camp is believed to be targeting the Mikko Rantanen range ($12MM AAV). A deal at that level would push Dallas over the cap with only 20 players signed, forcing immediate subtractions.
Even a contract closer to the internal ceiling set by Thomas Harley’s $10.587MM AAV would leave Dallas with a less-than-viable number, roughly around $513K to fill three roster spots.
Robertson’s extension isn’t the only item complicating the Stars’ cap picture. Dallas still has several key vacancies to address starting with their team captain and unrestricted free agent, Jamie Benn. The 36-year-old’s future remains unresolved and a new contract, even at a steep discount, would cut further into the limited space available after a Robertson deal. Restricted Free Agent Mavrik Bourque (24) finished seventh on the team in points (20-21–41) in 82 games. A bridge deal could be beneficial for both parties, but even a modest number adds to the squeeze. Bourque finished the season with nine goals and 19 points in 25 games while averaging 19 minutes of ice time after the Olympic break.
The Stars could see key departures in their depth, including forward Michael Bunting (30), which leaves holes that typically require $1.5–$2MM signings. That tier of spending becomes difficult once Robertson’s contract is accounted for.
To reconcile Robertson’s expected AAV with the Stars’ current structure, Nill may need to shift from cap management to cap triage. The most straightforward path to creating space would involve moving a veteran contract. Defenseman Esa Lindell ($5.8MM) stands out as one of the more viable trade candidates, while Ilya Lyubushkin could also be a trade target as well. Moving one of those deals would push Dallas’ available space into the $15–17MM range, giving enough to sign Robertson and complete the roster without resorting to minimum‑salary patchwork.
Dallas has already secured the core of its roster, including long‑term commitments to defenseman Miro Heiskanen and forward Roope Hintz. But that stability has created what amounts to a 19‑man cap trap. The Stars can keep their group intact, but only if they clear meaningful money before finalizing Robertson’s extension.
Without the necessary moves and shedding of salary, the idea and ability to retain their most productive forward becomes mathematically impossible under the current structure.
Utah Mammoth Sign Borikov to Three-Year Entry-Level Contract
The Utah Mammoth have signed forward Yegor Borikov to a three‑year entry‑level contract, the team announced today. The deal begins in 2026–27, bringing the 2025 fourth‑round pick officially into the organization after a strong season overseas.
Borikov, 20, is coming off his most productive year in the KHL, recording 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points in 59 games with Dinamo Minsk. All three totals marked new career highs. He also finished among the team’s leaders in several categories, including four game‑winning goals and 78 hits, the latter ranking second on the roster. In the Gagarin Cup Playoffs, he added two goals in seven games before joining Metallurg Zhlobin on loan for the Belarusian Extraleague postseason. There, he posted eight points in four games, helping the club capture another league title.
Across 167 career KHL games, Borikov has produced 63 points (33G–30A) with a +24 rating. In the postseason, Borikov has totaled nine goals and 10 points in 18 games, including a standout 2025 postseason in which his seven goals tied Evgeny Kuznetsov’s record for the most scored in a single KHL playoff run by a player age 20 or younger.
Before turning pro, the Zhlobin native developed through the Belarusian junior system, including a 24‑point season with Dinamo‑Shinnik Bobruysk in the MHL and multiple championship runs with Metallurg Zhlobin.
Borikov was selected 110th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Capitals Sign Sikora To Three-Year Entry-Level Contract
The Washington Capitals have signed forward Petr Sikora to a three‑year entry‑level contract, the team announced today. The deal carries an average annual value of $995K and brings one of the organization’s more productive young prospects officially into the system.
Sikora, 20, was selected by Washington in the sixth round (178th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft and has spent the last several seasons developing within HC Oceláři Třinec’s structure in Czechia. He appeared in 24 Extraliga games this season, recording nine points (3G–6A) while leading all Třinec skaters under-25 in assists and points. Sikora added another two points in 10 playoff games and also produced six points in a brief four‑game stint with HC Frýdek‑Místek in Czechia’s second division.
His production has steadily climbed over the past three years. Sikora posted 15 points in 34 Extraliga games in 2024–25 and added four points in six playoff contests. At the junior level, he was a standout for Třinec’s U‑20 team, recording 40 points (13G–27A) in 30 games during the 2023-24 season and helping lead the club to a league championship.
Across 80 career Extraliga games, Sikora has totaled 27 points (11G–16A).
Internationally, Sikora has represented Czechia at back‑to‑back IIHF World Junior Championships, earning silver in 2026 and bronze in 2025. He captained the 2026 squad and finished the tournament with nine points in seven games, ranking among the event’s leaders in assists and plus‑minus. At the 2025 tournament, he posted seven points in seven games and was named one of Czechia’s top three players.
Sikora is expected to join Washington’s development pipeline next season, with the organization likely evaluating whether he begins his North American career in the AHL.
Penguins Sign Ilya Solovyov To One-Year Extension
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Ilya Solovyov to a one‑year contract extension carrying a cap hit of $850K for the 2026–27 season. The deal keeps the 25‑year‑old in the organization for another year after he split the 2025–26 campaign between the Colorado Avalanche and the Penguins.
Solovyov appeared in 30 NHL games this season, the most of his young career. He opened the year with the Avalanche, recording three points (1G–2A) in 16 games before being acquired by Pittsburgh, where he added five assists in 14 contests while averaging 14:06 ATOI.
The extension comes after Solovyov set career highs across the board in games played (30), goals (1), assists (7), and points (8). He also made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut, appearing in three postseason games for Pittsburgh and giving the coaching staff a first look at how his game translates in higher‑leverage situations.
Originally drafted by Calgary in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Draft, Solovyov has taken a gradual development path through the AHL. He has logged 232 career AHL games with the Calgary Wranglers and Colorado Eagles, producing 69 points (18G–51A) and establishing himself as a reliable, physical defender capable of handling heavy minutes. He has also appeared in 22 Calder Cup Playoff games, adding four points.
Before arriving in North America, Solovyov spent the 2020–21 season in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk, posting nine points in 41 games.
For Pittsburgh, the extension provides organizational stability and a cost‑effective depth option as the club continues to reshape its blue line. Solovyov’s size (6‑foot‑3, 208 pounds), defensive play, and ability to play either at the NHL level or anchor minutes in the AHL make him a useful, cost-effective piece for a team that relied heavily on call‑ups throughout the 2025–26 season.
Latest On Darren Raddysh’s Pending Free Agency
The Tampa Bay Lightning appear to have found another internal success story on their blue line, as defenseman Darren Raddysh has played his way into a far more prominent role within the organization. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the NHL Insider noted reported that Tampa Bay now views Raddysh as a “key part” of its power play and a long‑term piece of its defensive group, which has become a notable shift for a player who entered the league as a depth option.
Raddysh’s rise comes after a breakout 22-goal, 70‑point season, one that has given the Lightning a much‑needed boost as their veteran core continues to age. His ability to move pucks efficiently and run the top power‑play unit has added an element that the team has lacked since the departure of several key contributors in recent years. Head coach Jon Cooper has leaned heavily on Raddysh’s poise and distribution, and the results have pushed him from a secondary option into a central role.
The timing is also significant from a roster‑building standpoint. Raddysh played the season on one of the league’s most affordable contracts at a meager $975k, but that situation won’t last long. If Tampa Bay intends to keep him, he is in line for a substantial raise. Friedman’s report suggests the Lightning are well aware of that reality and may look to secure an extension.
Tampa Bay is projected to have just over $14 million in cap space entering the 2026-27 offseason, but that number shrinks quickly once roster spots and other pending decisions are factored in. Any new deal for Raddysh would need to fit within a tight structure, particularly with the Lightning still trying to maintain a competitive window.
Even so, locking in a productive right‑shot defenseman with power‑play utility would address one of the organization’s most pressing long‑term needs. Raddysh’s single-season emergence gives Tampa Bay a cost‑controlled contributor in the short term and a potential fixture on the back end as the roster transitions in the coming years.
Bruins Notes: Pastrnak, Sturm, Hagens
Following a first-round exit at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres, the Boston Bruins’ leadership met with the media on Wednesday for a candid end-of-season press conference. While CEO Charlie Jacobs expressed confidence that the organization is on the “right track,” the overarching theme of the day was the identified need for high-end personnel upgrades. President Cam Neely was blunt regarding the roster’s current construction, stating that the team lacks a true No. 1 center and must prioritize adding both talent and speed this summer to become a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Additional Bruins notes:
- Cam Neely identified the lack of a premier center as a primary concern. He noted that the solution could come from “growing one from within” or looking “outside our group,” but emphasized that the vacancy must be rectified to move the needle in the postseason.
- Addressing David Pastrnak’s comments about turning 30 and wanting to maximize his prime, Don Sweeney acknowledged the need to “accelerate” the team’s improvement. Sweeney noted that “everything is in play,” including the potential use of future assets to bolster the current roster.
- Sweeney praised first-year head coach Marco Sturm for making the team “a hell of a lot more competitive.” While the foundation is set, management plans to “tweak” the defensive system to eliminate the inconsistencies that crept into their game late in the season.
- The Bruins remain without a captain, but Neely confirmed that discussions for next season have already begun. While Sweeney views leadership as a “collective thing,” Marco Sturm will have a significant voice in determining if a single player will wear the “C” next year.
- Sweeney discussed top prospect James Hagens, noting he would have preferred Hagens play for the Providence Bruins in the AHL playoffs rather than Team USA at the World Championships, but “rules are rules.” He cautioned that the path to the NHL remains a difficult “A-Z” journey.
- Several Bruins are confirmed for the upcoming World Championships, including Joonas Korpisalo and Henri Jokiharju (Finland), James Hagens, Sean Kuraly, and Mason Lohrei (USA), and Fraser Minten (Canada).
NHL Sets Salary Cap For 2026-27 Season
The NHL’s financial landscape is officially shifting toward a period of unprecedented growth. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the league has formally notified its 32 member clubs of the confirmed team payroll ranges for the 2026-27 season. These figures represent a significant victory for the NHLPA and front offices, as hockey-related revenue continues to surge, finally moving past the stagnant cap era of the early 2020s.
For the first time in league history, the salary cap ceiling is poised to break into nine digits. The league has officially set the Upper Limit at $104 million. To maintain the necessary spread across the league, the Midpoint has been established at $90.4 million, while the Lower Limit will rise to $76.9 million. Perhaps most notably for the league’s elite superstars, the maximum individual player salary, which is set at 20% of the upper limit, will climb to $20.8 million per season.
This jump to $104 million marks a massive increase of roughly $8.5 million over the previous year’s projections. This rapid escalation provides vital breathing room for teams currently navigating difficult salary cap situations. Organizations that have locked their core players into long-term deals will see those contracts take a significantly smaller percentage of the overall pool. An $8 million AAV contract that once felt like a burden will soon represent a much more manageable portion of a team’s total budget, allowing General Managers to be more aggressive in the free-agent market while retaining their homegrown talent.
The rising floor also creates a unique dynamic for rebuilding teams. With a minimum spending requirement of $76.9 million, clubs heavy on entry-level contracts will be forced to spend more aggressively to stay compliant. This could lead to a busier trade market where rebuilding teams take on veteran contracts in exchange for draft assets, or it could result in higher-value, short-term “bridge” deals for veteran leaders brought in to mentor young prospects.
With the 2026-27 numbers now set in stone, front offices finally have the clarity needed to plan their long-term rosters. Fans should expect a flurry of contract extensions this summer as agents and GMs look to navigate this new, high-ceiling market before the next wave of superstars resets the bar for what a “max contract” looks like in the modern NHL.
Injury Notes: Cates, Dvorak, Tippett, Nikishin
The Philadelphia Flyers’ postseason hurdles just reached a new height. Down 2-0 as the series shifts back to Wells Fargo Center, head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed the worst-case scenario for his forward group: Noah Cates is out for the remainder of the series.
Cates, who hit career highs this season with 47 points and has been the team’s most reliable two-way presence, suffered a lower-body injury after taking a shot off the foot in Game 2. While he finished that game, he was seen in a walking boot on Wednesday, and the team has officially ruled him out for the duration of the second round.
Additional injury notes:
- The Anaheim Ducks receive a boost as Troy Terry is expected to return to the lineup for their series against Vegas. However, the blue line takes a hit as veteran Radko Gudas remains out with a lower-body injury. After battling recurring injuries throughout the season, Terry made his return in Game 1 against Vegas.
- Carolina Hurricanes high-profile rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin has been cleared to play. After missing the start of the series due to a concussion sustained in the first round, he is an option for Game 3 and will likely slot in alongside Shayne Gostisbehere.
- The Flyers also noted forward Christian Dvorak is currently day-to-day and took a maintenance day on Wednesday, though he is expected to play in Game 3. Also, Owen Tippett, who has missed the first two games of the series, remains a game-time decision for Thursday. While he has returned to practice, his availability hinges on a final evaluation before puck drop.
Blues Assign Justin Carbonneau To AHL
The St. Louis Blues have reassigned top forward prospect Justin Carbonneau from the QMJHL’s Blainville‑Boisbriand Armada to the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds, the club announced today. The move comes just days after Carbonneau’s junior season ended in a heartbreaking Game 7 loss, but the 19‑year‑old now joins Springfield as the Thunderbirds look to close out their first‑round series against the Providence Bruins.
Carbonneau will join the AHL on the heels of one of the most dominant seasons by any junior forward in 2025–26. The Blues’ 2025 first‑round pick was a force in the QMJHL, leading the league with 51 goals and earning the Mario Lemieux Trophy as the Q’s top goal scorer. He finished his regular season with 80 points and a +31 rating in 60 games, cementing himself as one of the most productive and polished young forwards outside the NHL.
In the postseason, Carbonneau posted 20 points (9 goals, 11 assists) in 17 playoff games, finishing tied for fourth in goals and fifth in points across the entire league. He was consistently Blainville‑Boisbriand’s most dangerous forward, driving offense through pace, touch volume, and a heavy shot that translated seamlessly against tighter playoff checking. Even in the series loss, he looked every bit like a player ready for the next step.
Whether that next step includes immediate AHL action remains unclear. Springfield holds a 2–1 series lead over Providence heading into Thursday’s potential clinching Game 4, and the Thunderbirds have not yet indicated whether Carbonneau will dress. It’s not uncommon for junior call‑ups to spend time practicing before entering the lineup, especially after a deep playoff run that ends with a quick turnaround. Still, Carbonneau’s scoring touch and ability to tilt the ice at even strength give Springfield an intriguing option should they choose to use him.
The assignment also gives the Blues’ development staff a valuable window to evaluate Carbonneau against pro competition before next fall’s training camp. His blend of goal‑scoring instincts, competitiveness, and two‑way detail has already made him one of the organization’s most closely watched prospects, and a late‑season AHL cameo would offer a meaningful benchmark for where he stands in the pipeline.
Carbonneau isn’t the only Blues prospect joining Springfield this week. Defenseman Adam Jiricek, whose OHL season also ended in a Game 7 loss, has been promoted as well. Like Carbonneau, his availability for Game 4 remains uncertain.
Anthony Cirelli, Brock Nelson, Nick Suzuki Named Selke Trophy Finalists
The NHL announced today that Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Brock Nelson of the Colorado Avalanche, and Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens have been named the three finalists for the 2025–26 Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded annually to the forward who “best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.” Voting was conducted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the conclusion of the regular season.
Cirelli earned his second consecutive Selke nomination after another standout two-way campaign in Tampa Bay. The Lightning posted the NHL’s second-best goal differential (+57) and third-best goals against (229), with Cirelli driving their defensive identity. Despite missing 11 games, he led all Tampa Bay forwards in shorthanded ice time (186:51) for a penalty kill that ranked third in the league at 82.6%. At even-strength, the Lightning outscored opponents 76-42 with Cirelli on the ice, a team-best 64.4% goal share, and the highest mark of his eight full NHL seasons. He also posted a career-high +38 rating and took a team-leading 1,075 faceoffs. Cirelli finished third in last year’s voting, becoming the first Selke finalist in franchise history.
Nelson, a first-time finalist in his first full season with Colorado, played a crucial role in the Avalanche’s defensive turnaround. They captured the Presidents’ Trophy, allowing a league-low 197 goals, 34 fewer than last year and 25 fewer than any other team this season. Nelson logged a career-high 1,591:55 in total ice time and nearly 50% more shorthanded minutes. Colorado’s penalty kill led the NHL at 84.6%, surrendering just 36 goals on 234 opportunities. Nelson also set personal bests in faceoffs taken (1,459) and wins (735, 50.4%). If he wins, he’d become the first player in Avalanche/Nordiques history to claim the Selke, the last Colorado player to reach finalist status was Joe Sakic in 2000–01.
Suzuki, the Canadiens’ captain, helped Montreal win its highest point total (106) since 2014–15 and its stingiest defensive season (251 goals against) in seven years. He played all 82 games, leading the team’s forwards in total ice time and even-strength minutes. Suzuki took 1,449 faceoffs (32.2% of Montreal’s draws) and ranked sixth in the league in total attempts. At even strength, the Canadiens outscored opponents 94–58 with him on the ice, a career-best 61.8% goal share. Suzuki aims to join franchise legends Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau, who won the award seven times.
The Selke Trophy was first awarded in 1977 in honor of longtime executive Frank J. Selke, a key architect of championship teams in both Montreal and Toronto.
The NHL’s awards finalist announcements continue Thursday, May 7, when the league will reveal the three finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.