The NHL projects a 2 percent increase in league revenue for the 2008-09 season despite facing one of the worst economic crises to hit North America since the league contracted from 10 to six franchises around the time of the Great Depression

League officials shared the projection with owners and team executives at a board of governors meeting in Florida Dec. 8-9. According to attendees, league revenue will increase 6 percent in aggregate, but because of the decline in the Canadian dollar the league will realize only a 2 percent increase in total revenue.

— Tripp Mickle, SportsBusiness Journal

Mickle has the projected revenue figure for next season at $2.65-billion (U.S.), a number that would move the cap slightly up. Using the calculation for the midpoint and some fudged figures:

(56.75% x $2.65-billion) - $70-million
30 NHL teams

The first number is the players' percentage of revenues, the second the revenue figure provided by the SBJ and the third is player benefits. Using these numbers, the midpoint would be roughly 47.8-million, the floor $39.8-million and the cap $55.8-million (or about $1-million lower than this season).

The cap could also be boosted by the 5-per-cent bump at the NHLPA's request, bringing it to just more than $58-million. Based on the info we have now, that's what we're looking at: A cap between $1-million lower and $1.5-million higher than the current one. It'll be interesting to see GMs plan accordingly.

The Canadian dollar, meanwhile, seems to have settled right around 80 cents after a wild few months. It's currently at 82 but was down at 77 cents as recently as a month ago.