Popular hockey website CapFriendly to shut down

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Austin Kelly
June 9, 2024 (5:29 PM)

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CapFriendly, a popular Hockey site used as a financial resource for fans and pro teams alike, is reportedly shutting down in the coming weeks after being purchased by the Washington Capitals.

According to Elliotte Friedman in an article for Sportsnet, CapFriendly is being purchased by the Capitals.

According to Friedman, the site will be active until July 5th, giving users some time to still access the site in the leadup to the NHL Draft and the start of Free Agency before going private.

CapFriendly has been used by NHL GM's and staff as a roster resource for cap related purposes. The acquisition gives the Capitals sole access to the site's data and numerous roster tools, such as financial calculators and detailed roster data.

The site also began producing scouting reports for the NHL Draft, powered by Pro Hockey Group', founded by former Panthers Director of Amateur Scouting Jason Bukala.

For fans, popular tools included the 'Armchair GM' tool, in which fans could see teams roster situation, and create potential scenarios for building a realistic NHL team. Also popular was the "Trade Machine", similar to Armchair GM but used to create trade scenarios while being selected to see if a trade would be valid or not. This allowed for fans to make trades that not only would make sense, but be approved by the NHL's Central Registry.

It's unclear if the move also impacts CapFriendly's recent basketball counterpart, SalarySwish. Monumental Sports, which owns the Capitals, also owns the NBA's Washington Wizards. CapFriendly has not released an official statement at this time on the reported purchase.

CapFriendly started in 2015 as a replacement for the site CapGeek, after its founder Matthew Wuest passed away after a battle with colon cancer.