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Currently below cap floor, a handful of teams will be forced to open their wallets

The NHL and NHLPA announced today that the salary cap floor for the 2012-13 season has been set at $54.2 million.

That figure could fall if the players’ share of revenues is reduced under the terms of the new CBA, all else staying equal. (It could also go up, according to CBC’s Elliotte Friedman.)

Regardless of where it ends up exactly, there are teams that will need to spend/take on money this summer to get above the floor.

Take Phoenix – according to CapGeek, the Coyotes have just $38.9 million in committed cap payroll for next season, and that’s with 18 players (the max is 23) under contract.

Nor does Phoenix have any restricted free agents that are in line for big raises, and it’s possible UFAs Shane Doan and Ray Whitney won’t be back.

The Coyotes did add Zbynek Michalek’s $4 million cap hit in a trade with the Penguins, but they’ll have to add more to get above the floor.

Other clubs flirting with the lower limit:

Anaheim ($39.3 million, 14 under contract) – And that’s with Bobby “Move me” Ryan’s $5 million hit.

Colorado ($38.0 million, 15) – The Avs have a pile of RFAs left to sign, including Erik Johnson, Ryan O’Reilly and Steve Downie.

Nashville ($34.9 million, 14) – Assuming he’s not traded and signs another one-year deal, Shea Weber should get the Predators to around $43 million. Sergei Kostitsyn and Colin Wilson are RFAs that need raises.

Florida ($40.0 million, 15) – RFAs Kris Versteeg and Dmitry Kulikov need new deals, and Roberto Luongo could be on his way, too.

Dallas ($39.6 million, 16) – Jamie Benn is RFA and should get a big raise.

St. Louis ($42.1 million, 18) – The Blues have two key RFAs that need new deals in TJ Oshie and David Perron.