It’s all anyone really cares about. It’s not the rule changes or any of the juicy debates about who’s the next GM of what, every fanbase and every front office wants to know what’s next with the salary cap. Is it only going to be increasing $1 million to $83.5 next season, or is there room for more?

I don’t expect that we’ll get an answer from the commissioner on Wednesday as he addresses the media at the conclusion of these GM meetings. I think that he’ll say “Look, we’re in a spot where the calculations and projections are not final, or on track to move the debt down from players to owners to a very negligible amount”. And by the letter of the law in the CBA, the way that this was negotiated, is that does mean a scant $1 million increase.

However, what I will say, and I don’t expect him to broadcast, is the idea that he’s going to be getting heat from owners, and especially people on the NHL’s executive committee, to get this cap moving. We don’t need a fourth straight season of a frozen salary cap, especially when the debt will be paid off in the first weeks of next season more than likely. So, he’s going to be getting pressure from the owners side, but at the same time, he’s now getting into negotiations with an unknown character in the sense that we don’t know that much about NHLPA incoming executive director Marty Walsh and how he plans to operate.

So moving forward, it’ll be interesting to see those two get together at the table for the first time, because this is a pretty big sticking point moving forward, and as much as teams would like some clarity now, I have a feeling we won’t end up getting it until the next GM meeting convenes in Nashville during the week of the NHL Draft, and that’s when we’ll find out more, but until then, I don’t expect much by way of an update.

Svechnikov, 22, will undergo reconstructive knee surgery on Thursday to repair his torn right ACL, ending his 2022–23 season — and dealing a severe blow to the Hurricanes’ championship aspirations.

The Hurricanes originally selected Svechnikov with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. The six-foot-two winger has 23 goals and 55 points in 64 games with the Hurricanes this season.

Svechnikov is under contract through the 2028–29 season at a $7.75 million annual cap hit, according to CapFriendly.