CapFriendly, a popular site that has long been a source of NHL salary information, was shut off to the public on Wednesday.
In a note posted on its website signed by “The CapFriendly team,” reads, in part, “After 9 years of late nights, early mornings, missed holidays and family events while diligently updating the website and developing tools, the CapFriendly team has made the decision to begin a new chapter and challenge!”
The Washington Capitals reached an agreement to buy the site in mid-June, which was confirmed at the time by team GM Brian MacLellan. The site operated independently through the draft in late June and start of free agency before closing its virtual doors Wednesday.
Capitals assistant GM Don Fishman has been an expert in managing the salary cap for several years, helping Washington win the Stanley Cup in 2018 and reach the playoffs 15 times in the past 17 seasons. The Capitals believe the purchase of the site will give them an even bigger boost in navigating the finances of the game.
“This strategic move will provide the Capitals organization with the ability to digest, present and analyze both our internal and league-supplied data,” MacLellan said in the statement in June. “We anticipate that this acquisition will significantly enhance and integrate the various branches of our hockey operations department, allowing us to strengthen our management, scouting, analytics and player development, in addition to augmenting our salary cap and contractual applications.”
The Capitals were not the only team in conversations with CapFriendly, which started in 2015 as a successor to CapGeek.
MacLellan said in June the team is planning on bringing in CapFriendly’s Jamie, Ryan and Christopher Davis once the agreement is finalized, saying the Capitals “are excited to add the CapFriendly platform and the team’s related deep industry knowledge to the Capitals front office.” Buying the existing information rather than starting from scratch gives the organization a head start while the league’s other 31 teams must now adjust to Washington’s competitive advantage.
PuckPedia, another site with NHL salary data and more, is aligning itself as CapFriendly’s successor.
— With files from The Associated Press
CapFriendly, the popular website known for providing detailed information on NHL player contracts, salary cap data, and team rosters, is no longer accessible to the public online. This news has come as a disappointment to many hockey fans and analysts who relied on the site for up-to-date information on their favorite teams and players.
The reason for CapFriendly’s sudden disappearance from the internet is unclear, as the site has not made any official statement regarding its closure. Speculation among fans and industry insiders suggests that the site may have faced legal issues or financial difficulties that forced it to shut down.
For those who regularly used CapFriendly to stay informed about the latest NHL contract signings, trades, and salary cap updates, the loss of the site is a significant blow. Without access to this valuable resource, fans may find it more challenging to keep track of their favorite teams’ roster moves and salary cap situations.
Fortunately, there are alternative websites and resources available that provide similar information to what CapFriendly offered. Sites like Spotrac and NHLNumbers offer comprehensive salary cap data and player contract information, although they may not be as user-friendly or detailed as CapFriendly was.
In the meantime, fans will have to adjust to life without CapFriendly and find new ways to stay informed about the NHL’s ever-changing landscape. Whether the site will make a comeback in the future remains uncertain, but for now, hockey enthusiasts will have to look elsewhere for their contract and salary cap fix.