Tom Wilson is getting an unexpected raise thanks to his contract structure and an NHL CBA quirk

"During the final five seasons of Wilson's contract, the Capitals forward's cap hit will rise by $40,000 beginning in 2026-27, as the NHL's minimum salary will exceed his salary total in the final two seasons of his deal. Wilson was set to make $900k in base salary in 2029-30 and 2030-31, but that total is now $100k below the league's new minimum salary of $1 million in those seasons. Therefore, Wilson is getting a $100k salary bump in both of those campaigns from the NHL, turning his $45.5 million contract into a $45.7 million deal."

"If this is confusing, which I totally get, here are two tables with color-coded cells that highlight the differences. Previous structure of Tom Wilson's 7-year, $45.5 million contract Numbers via CapFriendly New structure of Tom Wilson's 7-year, $45.7 million contract Wilson originally signed the extension in August 2023 before the CBA was ratified and played his first year of the contract during the 2024-25 season."

"Per PuckPedia, the adjustments will affect hundreds of players (78 players on standard contracts and 298 on entry-level deals), and the two NHLers who will get the biggest bump in contract value are the Carolina Hurricanes' William Carrier ($600k) and the New York Rangers' Igor Shesterkin ($475k). Overall, the Capitals will see an extra $475k go out the door due to the CBA quirk, with 14 players on ELCs getting pay bumps and 5 players on standard contracts."

"Outside of Wilson, the four other players on standard contracts getting a boost in pay are Justin Sourdif, Dylan McIlrath, Spencer Smallman, and Louie Belpedio."

A new NHL CBA ratified last year begins on September 16, 2026 and runs through September 15, 2030. A contract adjustment tied to the league’s minimum salary will increase Tom Wilson’s cap hit by $40,000 starting in 2026-27. Wilson’s base salary was set at $900,000 in 2029-30 and 2030-31, but it falls $100,000 below the new $1 million minimum in those seasons. The adjustment provides a $100,000 salary bump in both campaigns, raising his $45.5 million contract to $45.7 million. The change affects hundreds of players, including William Carrier and Igor Shesterkin, and increases costs for the Capitals by $475,000 overall.

Read at RMNB