[Triactus]

I agree that salary cap info in the offseason is confusing. It would really help to have a clear and uniform number (which would show both the regular season cap and the 10% over offseason cap). But it's still manageable if you're not too close to the ceiling, like a few thousand off it.

But to answer the op's question, I go by attrition. I target high payed less productive players every season and get rid of one or two of them to pay for the salary increases. That means you need a steady pipeline of young promising players, so drafting is key. (and I never let my players go by UFA. I always extend contracts to every one of my players going to be free agents. Even if you make one or two 4th round draft pick off your players, that can still be useful, if only as fodder in another trade).

And also : let's say you draft the first overall. He's good enough to make your NHL team on the fourth line right after the draft? DON'T SIGN HIM YET. The three years at minimum wage will save you with the salary cap. Unless they can have a significant immediate impact on the team, I always sign my draftees right before their rights expire. They will have developed in the years between their draft and signing. In a bind, there are plenty of UFAs (or waived players) for the fourth line.