The NHL salary cap has never been higher. Neither has the cost of hockey fandom

The NHL salary cap has reached an all-time high of $104 million in the 2024-25 season, up from $39 million when it was first introduced following the 2004-05 lockout. A major player agent projects the cap could climb to $123 million by the 2027-28 season, which would represent more than a tripling in 22 years. The article examines whether fans should share in the celebration, given that rising team revenues have coincided with increasing costs for hockey fandom.