the "payroll room" is how much money in a national hockey league (nhl) team's salary cap is left to acquire players, whether such players are signed as free agents or join the team via a trade or waivers. the term originated in 2005 with the nhl collective bargaining agreement (cba), which was negotiated following a season-long lockout. the new cba includes a salary cap (formally titled the "upper limit" of the "payroll range" in the agreement). payroll room is often called cap room in the media.