32 Thoughts: The Podcast Don't Tuck Your Shirt In
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Sep 25, 2026 The NHL salary cap could soar to $127.5 million, while expansion faces surprising resistance in Austin and Houston. Adam Fantilli’s massive extension resets the market, and trade speculation swirls around Marchenko, Larkin, Edvinsson, and Nikishin. Preseason standouts, Winnipeg’s franchise history, and the league’s controversial crackdown on tucked jerseys and other equipment round out the discussion.
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NHL Expansion Hits An Unexpected Speed Bump
- NHL expansion has hit unexpected resistance, making a December vote uncertain rather than inevitable.
- Owners questioned whether Austin makes sense for television when Houston is the largest North American market without an NHL team.
Owners Want More Control Over Expansion
- The expansion pushback may reflect owners seeking more influence as Gary Bettman's tenure moves closer to its eventual end.
- Elliotte Friedman views Ted Leonsis's unanimous appointment as board chair as a positive sign, while Murray Edwards adds an important Canadian perspective.
Fantilli Contract Shows The NHLs New Pay Scale
- Adam Fantilli's six-year, $82.5 million contract reflects a new market where elite potential commands superstar money before proven production.
- Columbus accepted six years partly because two seasons of unrestricted-free-agent control justified surpassing Cutter Gauthier's five-year deal.