June 24--The Blackhawks now know what they have to work with when it comes to shaping the roster for the 2015-16 season.
The NHL and its players' association announced Tuesday the salary cap for next season has an upper limit $71.4 million.
That figure is an increase of more than $2 million from the $69 million for the '14-15 campaign and was about as expected. The NHLPA triggered its 5 percent escalator clause to increase the cap.
When asked last week if he was prepared to deal with a cap of around $71 million, Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said, "I guess everyone wants to know if it's a good number or a bad number. Obviously, if it were $80 million it would be easier for us. If it's going to be $70 (million), whatever it will be, we'll make it work. If it comes in at $69.5 (million) to $71.5 (million), that could be the difference between what we decide to do."
The Blackhawks will head into this weekend's NHL draft, a time when many trades are made to shed salary, with 15 players signed for the '15-16 season with cap hits totaling around $65 million.
With restricted free agents Brandon Saad and Marcus Kruger in line for raises, the Hawks will be looking to unload salary. The most likely players to be dealt are wingers Patrick Sharp ($5.9 million cap hit) and Bryan Bickell ($4 million).
The NHL set the lower limit at $52.8 million with an adjusted midpoint of $62.1 million.
The free agent signing period opens July 1.
ckuc@tribpub.com
