NHL free-agency market set to open with 100-player board

The National Hockey League is set to open its free-agency market with a 100-player big board as the salary cap climbs to $104 million, according to The New York Times. The class includes goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and defensemen John Carlson and Jacob Trouba, who are expected to be among the most sought-after free agents. The league has projected the cap increase, prompting clubs to prepare for larger contracts.

The big board, ranking the top 100 unrestricted free agents, is intended to streamline negotiations between teams and players. Analysts note that the higher cap could lead to a surge in total contract values during the upcoming free-agency period.