The National Women's Hockey League is doubling its salary cap to $300,000 for each of its six teams.

Salaries will average $15,000 based on 20-player rosters, with salaries estimated to range between $10,000 to $35,000, which doesn't include additional bonuses.

At the same time, Boston Pride chairman Miles Arnone says the league is putting off adding an expansion franchise in Montreal until the 2022-23 season because of continuing uncertainties due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Arnone has a stake in the BTM ownership group behind the Montreal expansion bid and operates the Toronto Six.

The dramatic increase of the salary cap is based on league projections indicating that the NWHL is making strides in achieving financial stability entering its seventh season.

The move comes after a year in which the league was restricted to playing a two-week season, which was disrupted further by an outbreak of COVID-19.

The NWHL, which was established in 2015, is the first to pay female players a salary in North America.