標籤: affect

New Jersey Devils general manager Sunny Mehta officially has the exact numbers he can work with in the 2026-27 NHL season.

According to Elliotte Friedman, the NHL officially set the 2026-27 salary cap and notified its 32 clubs.

According to Friedman, the structure is as follows:

• land: $76.9 million
• Middle: $90.4 million
• Roof: $104 million ($8.5 million increase from 2025-26)
• Maximum individual player salary: $20.8 million

This is a significant league-wide increase of $8.5 million from last July that comes at an ideal time for the Devils as they transition to a new era under Mehta.

Projected cap position on July 1, 2026

According to the latest projections from Pukpedia, the Devils are expected to enter the 2026-27 season with a projected cap hit of $92.125 million. This leaves them with approximately $11.875 million in cap space under the $104 million cap.

Obviously, the Devils’ projected cap hit sits comfortably above the $76.9 million floor and just above the $90.4 million midpoint, giving them solid flexibility while still being in a strong position for floor compliance.

The projection has approximately 18 of the 23 active roster spots filled, with a total of 28 standard contracts and no significant dead money or buyout fees beyond bonus overages.

Bonus overage for 2026-27

The Devils will carry $1.25 million in performance-bonus overage into the 2026–27 season. This amount is added directly to their 2026-27 cap hit – which unfortunately reduces the available cap space.

Older Age Details:

• Simon Nemec ($750,000): Earned through three “A” bonuses (goals, plus/minus, and time on ice).
• Evgeny Dadonov ($500,000): Triggered via bonuses in games played ($250K in 10 games and $250K in 20 games).

These bonuses will be fully implemented due to the team’s LTIR usage in 2025-26.

Major pending free agents and extension candidates

With a projected cap space of $11.875 million, Mehta has room to address pending free agents and extensions.

Restricted Free Agent (RFA) – High Priority

• Simon Nemec (D): Breakout young defenseman and key building block.
• Arseniy Gritsyuk (RW): Promising winger with secondary scoring ability.
• Paul Cotter (LW/C): Physical depth forward.

Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) – Depth Options

• Evgeny Dadonov (RW/LW): Veteran contributor who started his share of the bonus overage; Possible low-cost refund or replacement.

Notable extension-eligible players (under contract for 2026–27)

• Nico Hischier (C): Team captain and No. 1 center – Eligible for an extension through July 1. Keeping the 27-year-old leader safe for the long term is a key priority.
• Dawson Mercer (RW): Versatile 24-year-old middle-six forward—also extension-eligible on July 1. If a deal is not signed this summer, the Devils retain the RFA rights through 2027. Mercer is arbitration eligible.

Strategic implications for Devils under Sunny Mehta

An estimated $11.875 million in space (after a $1.25 million cap) gives Mehta a worthwhile option for July 1:

• He may prefer an extension for Hischier (and if Mehta determines Mercer is part of the future) while handling a key RFA like Nemec.
• Add target depth in free agency to improve bottom-six scoring, defense or goaltending.
• Maintain flexibility for important trades, in-season moves or LTIR use.

Looking ahead, the rising cap (expected to reach $113,500,000 in 2027–28) will create room for even more relief when the current contract expires. The core comprising Hischier, Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, Jasper Bratt, Timo Meier and others remains locked in, providing a strong foundation for Mehta’s approach.

Of course, projections can change rapidly with trades, signings or bonus outcomes. As mentioned, the Devils should make a deal for a top-6 forward to play alongside Jack and Bratt.

However, overall, the official outlook is positive.

The new $104 million cap hit puts the Devils in position to have what should be a productive offseason as Mehta begins to shape the roster for contention.

However, Mehta’s hurdle will be navigating Tom Fitzgerald’s no-move/trade clause on New Jersey’s roster.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

Formula 1 is already undergoing a significant change to the 2026 rules in just the blink of an eye, taking effect in Miami.

The FIA ​​called an online meeting with team principals, power unit manufacturer CEOs and Formula One management on Monday, following data from three races from Australia, China and Japan. The result: unanimous agreement on a four-part package of 2026 Formula 1 rule changes that will reshape the performance of these cars for the remainder of the season.

F1 addresses superclipping glitch as part of changes

The title change takes aim at superclipping – the dreaded phenomenon where drivers spend too many laps harvesting energy instead of actually racing. The maximum permitted recharge has been reduced from 8 MJ (megajoules) to 7 MJ, and the peak Superclip power has been increased from 250 kW to 350 kW. The intention is simple: spend less time recharging, more time relaxing. Under the new parameters, the duration of the superclip should be reduced by approximately two to four seconds per lap. It’s a meaningful reduction from what fans saw in the initial run.

For racing, the boost system also has its limits. The 150 kW current power level at the time of activation is specifically designed to prevent the jerky, sudden performance fluctuations that occur when a driver presses the deployment button. The MGU-K will still pump out 350kW from corner exit to braking point, through acceleration zones, but will drop to 250kW elsewhere on the lap. The closing speed was becoming dangerous. It solves that problem without overtaking.

Watch all the Formula 1 action live at the Miami Grand Prix: Now available on Apple TV+

Race starts are changing for the remainder of 2026

Race starts are also addressed, although that piece is on a slightly different timeline. A new detection system will identify cars with abnormally low acceleration off the line and automatically trigger MGU-K deployment to ensure safe minimums. Flashing rear and side lights will warn following drivers. Miami is a test case, where full adoption will take place after an analysis of how it performs there.

Wet weather rules revamped for Miami Grand Prix and beyond

Attention was also paid to wet weather. The intermediate tire blanket temperature is being increased based on direct driver feedback, ERS deployment has been reduced in low-grip conditions and the rear lights are being simplified for better visibility through the spray.

The 2026 Formula 1 regulation changes still need to be approved by an e-vote of the FIA ​​World Motor Sport Council after being agreed, but given the unanimous stakeholder agreement on Monday, this is a formality. Miami is the turning point for the 2026 season – on and off the track.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1…More about Scott Gulbransen