NHL Salary Cap Questions > Cap Hits when signing during season
Cap Hits when signing during season
Asked Dec 1, 2023 by Brett W
I thought when a player signed after the season starts the cap hit is higher than the salary? i.e. when Evander Kane signed with the Oilers his salary was $1.3MM, but the cap hit was $2.1MM. Why was Patrick Kane's cap hit equal to his salary?
Answer
Dec 1, 2023
When a UFA signs during the season, the cap hit is only higher than the compensation if the contract includes a signing bonus. In Evander Kane's case, that contract was $750K base and a $625K Signing Bonus, which made the cap hit $2.1M (it factors in the day in the season he signed). However, Patrick Kane's contract was $2.75M all salary, so his cap hit was $2.75M.
