The Blue Jackets' payroll is just under the NHL's $65 million minium and can stay there for an unspecified time due to Gaudreau tragedy.

According to a report from Columbus Blue Jackets insider Aaron Portzline, the NHL is making an exception for the team that will enable them to be salary cap compliant for the opening of the 2024-25 season.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are receiving some relief with their unique situation. According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, the NHL and the NHLPA have notified the team that it won’t need to comply with the agreed-upon $65 million salary floor when the NHL rosters are finalized on Oct.

The NHL and NHL Players' Association are expected to begin talks on a new collective bargaining agreement early in 2025. "We will probably begin having more discussions with the Players' Association after the first of the year,

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says the league will begin negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with players as soon as January 2025,