PuckPedia Cap Central 5/7: Leafs Win Draft Lottery

For Episode 18 of PuckPedia Cap Central, Keith Kavanaugh and Hart Levine dive into the pressing topics of the NHL salary cap world.

They start the episode talking about the NHL Draft Lottery, where the Toronto Maple Leafs won the 1st overall pick, despite having the 4th best odds of 8.5% (3:00). The San Jose Sharks won the 2nd draft lottery and will be picking 2nd overall, despite only a 5% chance of winning that lottery. The Vancouver Canucks dropped from best odds to picking 3rd overall.

Then they talk about the conditions on the Leafs 1st round picks the next two seasons, given this year’s pick is in the top 5 and is protected from their trade with the Bruins (8:30). PuckPedia is under the impression that if the Leafs are in the top 10 next season, they will have the choice to give the pick to either Boston or Philadelphia, with the other team getting the 2028 1st round pick.

Then they talk about the June 1st rule and which players will have their draft rights expire (15:45). Players can either become free agents or re-enter the NHL Draft based on certain criteria.

Then they talk about how the NHL has officially confirmed the Salary Cap for next season, which will have a ceiling of $104M (21:00).

Then they wrap up the episode talking about the Playoff Cap, and how Vegas is now the team closest to the ceiling, with Colorado right behind them (29:00). However, it will be nearly impossible for any team to go over the Salary Cap ceiling for this year’s playoffs.

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