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Chicago Blackhawks, NHL Will See Flat Salary Cap In 2017-18

By Sean Fitzgerald |
Mar 18, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Ryan Hartman (38) is congratulated by left wing Artemi Panarin (72) and defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Blackhawks beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Ryan Hartman (38) is congratulated by left wing Artemi Panarin (72) and defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Blackhawks beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Ryan Hartman (38) is congratulated by left wing Artemi Panarin (72) and defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Blackhawks beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Ryan Hartman (38) is congratulated by left wing Artemi Panarin (72) and defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Blackhawks beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The NHL’s salary cap will remain flat for the next season, and that’s bad news for the Chicago Blackhawks

The announcement today was made by the NHL that the salary cap will remain flat at $73 million for the Chicago Blackhawks and 30 other teams heading into the 2017-18 season. The reason for the flat cap is that the NHL Players Association did not want to exercise the escalator clause. 

TSN is reporting that the NHLPA did not use the escalator clause because of NHL’s decision on not wanting its players in the Winter Olympics. TSN is also reporting that NHL players who participated in the World Cup of Hockey have yet to be paid for playing in the tournament. These are two of the reasons why the NHLPA did not increase the salary cap.

Blackhawks implications

While the announcement of the salary cap remaining flat, the Blackhawks now must make several moves to get under the salary cap for next season. There are several players rumored to traded by multiple sources.  

More from NHL News

The Blackhawks currently sit at $77,520,628 in salaries counted against the salary cap for next season. Since the cap will remain at $73 million for next season, the Hawks must shed over $4,520,628 in salary before the start of the 2017-18 season.

Since there is no salary cap in the offseason, the Blackhawks have time to make some deals.

Trade rumors update

The first rumor was that the Vegas Golden Knights were going to acquire Marcus Kruger and Trevor van Riemsdyk. The media is reporting that the deal will be announced soon.

Now that everyone assumes Kruger is gone, the prevailing rumor is that Brent Seabrook will be the next player to go. He could be traded to a Canadian team for draft picks. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers make the most sense because of their needs on defense.

Along with Seabrook, Artem Anisimov appears to be a popular name bantered around. As of June 10, there had been no movement from Blackhawks.

Another player rumored as a possible trade options for the Blackhawks is Niklas Hjalmarsson. Hjalmarsson currently has a limited no-trade clause. He has to submit a list of 10 teams to which he would not allow himself to be traded to.

Next: Blackhawks Trade Rumors Are Buzzing

The trade rumor news will start coming more hot and heavy until the drafts. Please stay tuned to Blackhawk Up for more information.

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