The Montreal Gazette recently reported NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, at the recent annual conference of the Sports Lawyers Association, confirmed the salary cap for next season is expected to increase again. 

While Daly didn't say a specific amount, he indicated it would be between $60.5 and $63.5 million. 

This increase comes as good news for teams with payrolls currently in excess of $50 million for next season. 

That includes the Philadelphia Flyers (nearly $59 million), Calgary Flames (over $55.8 million), Pittsburgh Penguins (over $55.7 million), Chicago Blackhawks (over $53.8 million), Minnesota Wild (over $52.4 million), Boston Bruins (over $52.2 million), New Jersey Devils (over $52.1 million), San Jose Sharks, (over $51.8 million), and Washington Capitals (over $50.8 million).

 It also means however the salary cap minimum (or “floor”) will also increase, to between $44.5 million and $47.5 million, which could make things difficult for franchises with ownership issues, like the Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, Atlanta Thrashers and St. Louis Blues.