Report: Salary cap could remain at $81.5M over next 3 seasons

The NHL salary cap could remain stagnant over the coming seasons as the league and players' association continue to work toward a potential agreement to extend the CBA.

"As part of the agreement, the salary cap will be kept close to the current $81.5 million for the next three seasons," Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Thursday, adding that there's potential for it to go up $1 million in 2022-23.

The 700-plus players in the league will individually vote either for or against the extension.

Other major points of discussion include an escrow cap and salary deferrals for players. According to Friedman, the potential agreement between the two sides caps escrow at 20% for the 2020-21 campaign after original estimates had escrow at 35% if this season was not completed, and 27%-28% if it was.

In order to ensure teams and players split all hockey-related revenue, the NHL and NHLPA retain a percentage of players' salary, known as escrow, during the season.

Another element of the potential deal involves a 10% salary deferral by every player for one season only. That money will be returned to players in the future and the escrow on it would be lower.

Several players, including New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin and Anaheim Ducks veteran Ryan Kesler, voiced their frustrations with high escrow levels that have "protected the owners' income."

Negotiations to extend the CBA have reportedly been linked to the return-to-play talks. Panarin said the players cannot report to training camp, which is set to open July 10, until an agreement is in place.

Montreal Canadiens netminder Carey Price said Thursday he "wouldn't feel comfortable voting at this particular time" with many uncertainties remaining around the league's return-to-play plan.

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