CapFriendly was the place to go for all NHL salary cap and player contract information. It was bought by the Washington Capitals and closed to the public in July 2024. It was used on a daily basis by fans, writers and even teams, making the news a devastating blow for the hockey community.
This article breaks down what the site was, why the Caps acquired it, what the goodbye message read and where fans can find cap facts now. Keep reading to learn more and find answers to some common questions.
What CapFriendly Offered Hockey Fans
The site helped dazzle fans with the business side of hockey.The site exposed hockey fans to the monetary aspect of hockey. Anyone can go to a player and see how much of a signing bonus he has, how many years he has on his deal, etc. It also exhibited the waiver status and if a player would be a free agent.
It also included team cap totals, and was filled with simple notes on league rules, including long-term injured reserve and entry-level deals. They could also draft their own team or have a simulated draft. It started after CapGeek, a now older Cap site, closed its doors in 2015 and became a daily visit by fans, writers and teams.
How the Washington Capitals Bought the Site
The deal was announced on June 9, 2024, when Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman revealed that the site was being sold to the Washington Capitals. Soon other teams who had commitments to work with its tools found out that their commitments would be cancelled. The agreement was to maintain access to the site during the draft and the early stages of free agency, but restrict access after the sale was complete.
The Caps also recruited three from the team at the site as they did, with the recruitment of Jamie, Ryan and Christopher Davis. The negotiations were said to have been ongoing for over a year. The NHL was also reportedly getting the data. There was some fear among fans that it would be more difficult to source the facts on caps.
The Day the Site Closed to the Public
The site was shut on Wednesday in July 2024. Many fans saw the change as the end of an era. The timing was unfortunate, as the draft and free agency are the most busy weeks of the year for “cap talk” and so many deals were getting done. NHL teams had even used the site on the draft floor less than two weeks before.
Instead of the typical tools, visitors found themselves a note of thanks from the team when they visited any page. Numerous hockey writers posted praise online and many indicated they had been using the site for a number of years.
The Team’s Thank-You Message
The note was short and warm. It would take nine years of late nights, early mornings and even holidays and family occasions to maintain the site up-to-date and create new tools, the team said. Now it was time for the team to embark on a new chapter and a new challenge. It expressed gratitude to the fans for their interest and support over the years.
It also appreciated those who helped in the process, such as the helper for the depth charts and the forum moderators. At the time, the Caps’ GM stated that the buy would benefit the team’s scouting, analytics, and player development, along with their cap and contract efforts.
Where Fans Can Look for Cap Facts Now
There are still a couple of avenues for fans to explore. One place that PuckPedia fans can go for contract details is here. Salary Swish, the cap site from the same team, was going to remain open to the public despite the fact that the NHL site was closed, but fans will want to check their site’s status. It also left a void in the hockey world.
It is the same story as it was in 2015 when CapGeek folded and another site emerged to take its place. Over time, many fans hope that new websites will take the place of those they have previously lost and occupy the void. In the meantime, be sure to see the date of last update for each site to make sure the numbers are current.
FAQs
1.Who was the purchaser of the site?
The Washington Capitals bought it. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the deal was announced back on the day of June 2024.
2.When was the site closed to the public?
It closed in July of 2024. The site was kept open until after the NHL Draft and during free agency, because a lot of fans needed it during these busy weeks.
3.Why did the Caps sign him?
The Caps added that it would assist their management, scouting, analytics and player development efforts, and enhance their salary cap tools.
4.Are there any openings at Salary Swish?
The NBA salary cap site is the same team as Salary Swish. According to one report in July of 2024, it will remain open to the public. Please be aware the site status may have changed and you should check the most up to date information.
5.Where can fans find NHL contract details now?
One place PuckPeds can find a contract is at PuckPedia. After the closing, the gap may be filled by additional sites.
Read More: Dallas Mavericks Vs Sacramento Kings: Know the full Match Stats
