The 2024-25 National Hockey League season is well underway. All 32 teams began with a fresh start in the standings, and for some, a fresh roster on the ice. Though every team hopes to raise Lord Stanley’s cup in June, there are only a handful of teams that have a realistic chance of doing so.
Filling a roster that can win the Stanley Cup is not just about the talent of individual players. It is about creating a winning team and culture. The salary cap places a hard constraint on how much teams can spend.
In contrast, Major League Baseball does not place a limit on team roster salaries, though big spenders must pay a competitive balance tax (aka luxury tax) if they are deemed to spend too much. That is how the 1990s New York Yankees won four World Series over five seasons, paying exorbitant salaries to field teams that dominated baseball. This baseball “money game” has continued, with the top six total payroll teams in 2024 all making post-season play , and the fifth highest, the Dodgers, winning the World Series .
The Pirates had the second lowest total payroll in 2024, with post-season hopes dashed back in July. The NHL salary cap means that money alone cannot buy championships, forcing NHL general managers to be more creative in how they fill team rosters. One option is acquiring players through the entry draft, a methodical process requiring scouts who can evaluate talent and spot hidden gems that other teams may miss.
It also requires patience and a quality developm.
