NHL Rumor Mill – August 1, 2026

by | Aug 1, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 1, 2026

Check out the latest on the Canadiens, Red Wings, and Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE CANADIENS MAKE A TRADE FOR A BLUE JACKETS FORWARD?

THE SICK PODCAST: Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette recently speculated that the Canadiens could’ve made an offer to the Columbus Blue Jackets for winger Kirill Marchenko that would’ve been similar to what they offered for Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko (NHL Images).

According to Cowan, that offer was prospect winger Alexander Zharovsky, another prospect, and a first-round pick. He believes the Canadiens are well-positioned with many draft picks and young prospects other teams are interested in, which is why general manager Kent Hughes can afford to wait for the right opportunity to present itself.

Cowan wouldn’t be surprised if the Canadiens make a significant move this summer. He noted that last year’s trade for Noah Dobson came out of nowhere.

THE STARR & D’AMICO SHOW: Marco D’Amico recently addressed speculation suggesting the Canadiens could look at Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson if they’re unable to land Marchenko.

“I would be surprised if the Canadiens tried another reclamation project like that,” D’Amico said. He expects that Johnson could bounce back this season, but doesn’t see it as being to the point where he fills a legitimate need for the Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The buzz suggesting the Canadiens could acquire Marchenko has cooled since it flared up last weekend. That’s probably because Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell refuted a report out of Russia claiming he was working on trading the 26-year-old winger. Marchenkov’s agent, Dan Milstein, took to social media to dismiss the speculation.

As for Johnson, some Habs fans suggest he’d fill the Canadiens’ second-line center role. However, his performance thus far in his NHL career offers up little evidence that he can confidently handle that position on a reliable basis. Johnson has been used primarily as a winger with the Blue Jackets.

LATEST ON THE RED WINGS MANAGEMENT SITUATION

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman believes the reason why the Detroit Red Wings haven’t yet found a replacement for Steve Yzerman as general manager is that it’s still early in the process.

It’s been over two weeks since the Wings announced their management change, with Yzerman maintaining the day-to-day duties until his replacement is found.

Bultman noted that no other NHL clubs are seeking new management, meaning the Red Wings aren’t under pressure to make a quick change. Instead, they’ll continue to be patient in their search for the right candidate.

Whoever gets the role faces some challenging long-term decisions. They must address center Dylan Larkin’s trade request, sign restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson to a new contract, and negotiate an extension with winger Alex DeBrincat, who is UFA-eligible next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wings have indicated they’ll consider all options, including promoting from within their ranks. So far, there’s no indication who they may have reached out to from other clubs or if they’re speaking with former NHL general managers.

ISLANDERS COULD SOON ANNOUNCE THEIR NEW ASSISTANT GM

THE HOCKEY NEWS’ Stefen Rosner reported Friday that Evan Gold is expected to join the New York Islanders as an assistant general manager.

Gold’s contract with the Boston Bruins expires on Aug. 1. Rosner expects the hiring will be officially announced over the next several days.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 1, 2026

by | Aug 1, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 1, 2026

The latest on the league’s expansion plans, the latest notable contract signings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE SICK PODCAST: On Wednesday, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told “The Eye Test Podcast” hosts Pierre McGuire and Jimmy Murphy that the league and the owners are “primarily interested” in an expansion franchise in Houston, Texas.

Daly also said they haven’t ruled out Austin, Texas, as an expansion destination, noting that the latter has become an “up-and-coming market” that doesn’t have one of the major four pro sports franchises in it. However, he stressed that they are in the early stages of the process.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly (NHL.com).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Houston remains the front-runner unless there is difficulty for prospective ownership to come up with the $2 billion franchise fee. It’s also rumored that the league could return to Atlanta by the end of the decade.

Regarding the NHL’s new slate of weekday afternoon games in Europe, Daly indicated it’s part of the league’s plan to grow and market their product internationally. As for expansion into Europe, Daly didn’t rule out that possibility, but noted that there is currently no timetable due to obstacles to making that work over the course of an 84-game schedule.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Expansion into Europe is a more distant possibility than moving into other North American markets. The franchise fees, travel costs, and extra time zones are among the likely obstacles.

Daly also said the NHL remains interested in returning to Quebec City with an expansion franchise. However, they’ve yet to find a potential owner willing to operate a franchise long-term in that market. Daly also rejected the notion that the lower value of the Canadian dollar was a major obstacle to bringing a franchise to Quebec City, citing the strength of the other seven Canadian NHL markets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daly’s comments about Quebec City dispel the belief that the league no longer sees it as a market for an expansion franchise. Finding a suitable owner is an understandable hurdle given the high cost of the franchise fee.

It could be more affordable to relocate a franchise to Quebec City. However, there’s no indication that the league has any plans to move one of its teams to a new market.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng reported the Sharks re-sign forward Collin Graf to a three-year, $12.75 million contract. Graf, 23, had completed his three-year entry-level contract. He’ll earn an average annual value of $4.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Graf had a promising sophomore season with 21 goals and 25 assists for 46 points in 81 games. Peng noted that he logged just over 200 shorthanded minutes, sitting seventh in the league in that category. Sharks general manager Mike Grier praised his versatility and work ethic.

Graf is getting a slightly higher AAV than the two-year, $7.8 million contract ($3.9 million) he was projected to receive. However, he got less than the $6.5 million on the projected seven-year, $45.5 million contract. 

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins signed forward Tommy Novak to a three-year contract extension worth an AAV of $4.65 million starting in 2027-28. He’s earning $3.5 million on his current contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Novak exceeded the 40-point plateau last season, marking the third time he’s done so in his five-season NHL career.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former Florida Panthers winger Tomas Nosek signed with Czech team Dynamo Pardubice. The 33-year-old spent 11 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Vegas Golden Knights, Boston Bruins, and the Panthers, winning the Stanley Cup with them in 2024-25.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nosek’s NHL career is likely over. The checking-line forward had 47 goals and 73 assists for 120 points in 514 games, and 17 points in 68 postseason contests.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Earlier this week, the Blue Jackets hired Don Granato and Cody Ward as assistant coaches. Granato is the former head coach of the Buffalo Sabres, while Ward is the former assistant video coach for the San Jose Sharks.

SPORTSNET: On Thursday, the International Ice Hockey Federation upheld its ban on Russian participation for the 2026-27 season. Russia has been banned from participating in IIHF tournaments since invading Ukraine in February 2022.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 31, 2026

by | Jul 31, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 31, 2026

Check out the latest on Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider and Hurricanes blueliner Alexander Nikishin in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano was recently asked whether the New York Rangers would offer defenseman Braden Schneider to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for center Shane Wright.

New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (NHL Images).

Mercogliano believes the Rangers would like to leverage Schneider into forward help. Given the few “sure-fire options” in the trade market, it might have to be for a reclamation project such as Wright. He also wondered about “defense-needy teams” like the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, and San Jose Sharks, and “change-of-scenery” candidates such as Kent Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Connor Zary of the Flames.

Rangers general manager Chris Drury could be content to stick with Schneider until the right deal comes along. It could be revisited at the March 1 trade deadline or next summer, when the 25-year-old blueliner will be a restricted free agent again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers currently don’t have to rush into moving Schneider for a forward. Drury can take his time and wait for the right opportunity, perhaps from one of those clubs Mercogliano mentioned.

Still, unless Schneider improves his stock to the point where the Rangers would prefer to keep him, he’ll likely remain the subject of trade rumors this season.

RG.ORG: Daria Tuboltseva reports defenseman Alexander Nikishin is staying out of contract negotiations with the Carolina Hurricanes, preferring to let his agents handle it.

Nikishin, 24, is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. He is ineligible to receive an offer sheet because he hasn’t played the required number of NHL games.

The young defenseman had a solid NHL debut last season, with 33 points in 81 regular-season games. However, his role diminished during the Hurricanes’ run to the Stanley Cup, with one assist in 17 games as his ice time fell from 18:11 per game to 14:50.

Nikishin became the subject of trade rumors following the playoffs, but he said he hasn’t reacted to them. “Trade rumors are normal for us,” he said. He didn’t say whether he hopes to sign a long-term contract, but he noted that player contracts are getting bigger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The New York Rangers were reportedly very interested in Nikishin, but their acquisitions of Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi likely take them out of the bidding. It was recently reported that the St. Louis Blues had the young defenseman on their radar, but it depends on the Hurricanes’ asking price.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 31, 2026

by | Jul 31, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 31, 2026

The potential effect of Sharks center Macklin Celebrini’s new contract on future signings, the latest on Maple Leafs prospect Gavin McKenna, three teams face a salary-cap crunch, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle believes Macklin Celebrini’s new contract spells the end of long-term deals for young NHL talent.

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (NHL Images).

Celebrini, 20, signed a five-year contract extension with an NHL record average annual value of $18.8 million earlier this week. Mirtle believes those five-year deals, instead of the league maximum of eight years (dropping to seven years starting on Sept. 16), will become the norm for other rising young stars.

The NHL has only projected its salary cap to 2027-28, but Mirtle reports every league executive and player agent he’s spoken to believes the salary cap will rise dramatically starting in 2028. By 2031-32, the cap could reach between $150 million and $160 million.

That’s why Celebrini’s contract is five years long. By 2031-32, his new AAV will be only 12 percent of the salary cap, which will be a relative bargain historically.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The sharp increase in the salary cap is starting to change the landscape for NHL contracts.

Players will prefer shorter-term deals over the league maximum of seven years for players re-signing with their teams and six years for unrestricted free agents. Their contracts won’t age out too quickly, ensuring they can still maximize their value in their playing prime to keep pace with the rising cap.

By the way, the league maximum salary under a $150 million salary cap is $30 million. Under a $160 million cap, it’s $32 million.

NHL.COM: Speaking of Celebrini, he’s been training this summer with Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Gavin McKenna, who came away impressed with the offseason training regimen of the Sharks superstar.

“My trainers probably won’t like to hear this, but there was a week where we were on the ice for 17 hours,” McKenna said. “So, yeah, max crazy, but every skate out there, you’re getting better, and it’s a competitive group. So, I had a lot of fun with it.”

McKenna, 18, was chosen first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft by the Maple Leafs. He’s expected to make his NHL debut this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McKenna is trying to follow in Celebrini’s footsteps. Training with the young superstar could give the Maple Leafs’ top prospect an edge as he begins his NHL career.

LA PAGE SPORTIVE: Louis-Andre Lariviere noted the Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, and Vegas Golden Knights are feeling the pinch of their salary-cap crunch.

Because of the expensive contracts of stars such as Auston Matthews and William Nylander, the Maple Leafs are sitting above the $104 million salary cap by $2.75 million. They’re permitted to be above the cap by 10 percent during the offseason, but must shed a salary or two to become cap-compliant when their regular season begins in late September.

The cost of re-signing Jason Robertson to a one-year, $12 million contract pushed the Stars over the cap by $1.36 million. Like the Maple Leafs, they must make a cost-cutting move before their regular season begins.

As for the Golden Knights, they’re over the cap by $8.66 million, but are expected to place defenseman Alex Pietrangelo on long-term injury reserve to start the season to become cap-compliant.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs will likely place Max Domi ($3.75 million) on LTIR to get under the cap. He suffered complications from back surgery, and there is no firm timetable for his return to action. Meanwhile, the Stars could send a low-paid player or two to the minors to address their issue.

Speaking of the salary cap, I raised a point in yesterday’s Morning Coffee Headlines regarding the use of signing bonuses and whether it would be a contentious issue in the next round of collective bargaining. It was subsequently brought to my attention that the issue was already addressed. Signing bonuses will be capped at 60 percent of the total contract value for future contracts starting on Sept 16, 2026. Stick tap to foleyd7 for the info.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Bryan McCabe is moving on from his long-time stint in player development with the Florida Panthers. The former defenseman started as a development coach with the Panthers in 2012, became Director of Player Development a year later, and was promoted to Director of Player Personnel in 2017.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets aren’t renewing the contract of Bob McElligott, who was their radio play-by-play broadcaster since 2009. It’s a cost-cutting measure for the club. They are expected to lose revenue by shifting to NHL Productions for TV broadcasts rather than contracting with a regional sports network.

RDS: Former NHL player Pierre Dagenais has become general manager of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL.

TSN: The Vancouver Canucks and the city of Vancouver are exploring the construction of a practice rink for the club.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 30, 2026

by | Jul 30, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 30, 2026

​Check out the latest on the Penguins and the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reported on what’s been a quiet offseason thus far for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

General manager Kyle Dubas was unsuccessful in his attempt to make a big splash and move up in the first round of this year’s draft. Yohe believes Dubas either misjudged the value of trade assets such as Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, or how challenging the trade market would be.

Dubas could have better luck next summer. He’ll have over $70 million in salary-cap space to work with, and the trade and free-agent markets should be better than they were this year.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

Earlier this month, Yohe was asked what the Penguins plan would be for Erik Karlsson.

The 36-year-old defenseman is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Yohe stated that he’d be surprised if they re-sign Karlsson, pointing out that he’ll be 37 when his next contract begins. He speculated they could let him walk via free agency next July, or attempt to move him by the March trade deadline if they’re out of playoff contention by then.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Responding to Yohe’s comments about Karlsson, Jimmy Murphy of The Sick Podcast expressed his belief that the Penguins would trade the puck-moving defenseman to the Ottawa Senators or Toronto Maple Leafs before the 2026-27 regular season begins.

The Senators are seeking another scoring forward, but maybe they’d be open to adding more offense to their blueline. Karlsson could be open to a return to the team where he spent his best seasons, and he’d fill their ongoing need to bolster the right side of their defense corps. However, that seems more like a move the Sens might make if they’re buyers at the trade deadline.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs’ new management has been busy shaking up its roster. Bringing in Karlsson (provided he’s willing to go to Toronto) would give them a short-term burst of experienced skill. However, they’re currently over the cap by $2.7 million, giving them no wiggle room to absorb his $10 million cap hit. And no, the Penguins won’t retain salary to make it happen.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Herb Zurkowsky noted the recent flurry of trade rumors linking the Canadiens to Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.

Zurkowsky acknowledged that having Marchenko and Ivan Demidov on the same line would probably improve the Canadiens, but it wouldn’t address its ongoing need for a second-line center.

The asking price for Marchenko would be high. Zurkowsky believes the Blue Jackets would want one of the Canadiens’ top prospects (Michael Hage or Alexander Zharovsky), a first-round pick, and another player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens were interested in Marchenko, but it doesn’t seem as though he’s available. Despite the recent flurry of rumors, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell refuted the speculation, claiming he hasn’t spoken with other clubs about the 26-year-old winger in weeks. He also stated earlier this month that Marchenko would be in the Jackets’ lineup to start the season.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jonathan Bailey acknowledged a rumor that linked the Philadelphia Flyers to Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj.

However, Bailey believes Xhekaj isn’t a fit with the Flyers. He noted they already have two physical defensemen with Nick Seeler and Simon Benoit. Adding another blueliner when they’re also trying to promote promising youngsters like Oliver Bonk and David Jiricek would be counterproductive.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 30, 2026

by | Jul 30, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 30, 2026

Reaction to Macklin Celebrini’s record-setting contract extension with the Sharks and its ramifications in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

SHARKS SIGN MACKLIN CELEBRINI TO NHL-RECORD CONTRACT.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Sharks signed center Macklin Celebrini to a five-year, $94 million contract extension.

Celebrini, 20, will earn an NHL record average annual value of $18.8 million, breaking the previous record of $18 million signed by Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson earlier this month. The contract begins in 2027-28, and he will be an unrestricted free agent upon its completion in 2031-32.

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (NHL Images).

PuckPedia indicates that Celebrini will earn a base salary of $950,000 with a $19.85 million signing bonus for 2027-28 and 2028-29. He’ll earn a $1 million base salary with a $19.8 million signing bonus in 2029-30, $1 million with a $16.1 million signing bonus in 2030-31, and $1 million with a $13.5 million signing bonus and a full no-movement clause in 2031-32.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Celebrini has only played two NHL seasons, but he earned that whopping pay raise after finishing fourth among NHL scorers last season with a franchise-best 115 points. He is truly a generational talent who established himself among the NHL’s superstars last season, and the undisputed foundation player for the rebuilding Sharks.

Celebrini is another high-salaried player earning the bulk of his money in annual signing bonuses. It’ll be interesting to see if the league allows that practice to continue in the next CBA once the current one expires in September 2030.

Signing bonuses aren’t a salary-cap loophole because the total value of the bonus counts against the average annual value. What it does is guarantee players more money upfront, even if there’s a lockout or an unforeseen event (like a pandemic) that could shorten or shut down a season.

What could make signing bonuses a contentious issue is that wealthy teams can afford them more easily than small-market or cap-strapped teams. That could give deep-pocketed clubs an edge in re-signing talent, especially those eligible for unrestricted free-agent status.

It also creates the situation we saw with Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson. Earlier this month, he signed an expensive offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers, who gambled that the Ducks couldn’t afford to match it because of the hefty signing bonuses. The Ducks matched, but it created an expensive headache for them later.

Speaking of Carlsson’s offer sheet…

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Jordan Hall believes that Flyers GM Daniel Briere’s bold signing of Leo Carlsson to a five-year, $90 million offer sheet led to Celebrini’s expensive new contract with the Sharks.

Briere’s offer sheet to Carlsson, which the Ducks matched, set the market for young talent such as Celebrini, and for Connor Bedard, who inked a five-year, $75 million contract ($15 million) with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 18.

With the salary cap rising to $113.5 million in 2027-28, and projected to reach $123 million in 2028-29, contracts for the league’s top stars will become more expensive.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The ripples from the Flyers’ bid to land Carlsson will be felt for years. It couldn’t have happened without the substantial increases in the salary cap.

It could also create a situation in which the NHL once again finds itself with “have” and “have-not” franchises, something the salary cap was supposed to address over 20 years ago. Teams in smaller markets could find it difficult simply to reach the annual salary cap minimum, losing players through free agency or cost-cutting trades to wealthier markets flush with cap space.

The NHL has a better revenue-sharing system in place to help small-market or struggling franchises than it did over 20 years ago. Nevertheless, it might not be enough to help some of them remain competitive against richer, well-managed teams.

TSN: It remains to be seen how Celebrini’s new deal affects the Columbus Blue Jackets’ efforts to re-sign Adam Fantilli and the Ducks’ efforts to re-sign Cutter Gauthier. Both are currently restricted free agents.

Meanwhile, the Celebrini and Carlsson contracts will also affect how much veteran superstars such as Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, and Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning. McDavid is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in 2028, while Makar and Kucherov are UFA-eligible next July.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson and Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes will also be in line for substantial raises. Like Makar and Kucherov, they are slated to become UFAs next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One of those veterans will become the NHL’s first $20 million man. McDavid and Makar seem the most likely candidates. We can also add Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who is slated to join McDavid in the 2028 UFA class.

NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: Sheng Peng reports Sharks general manager Mike Grier said he didn’t think team owner Hasso Plattner would’ve hesitated to pay Celebrini the league maximum of $20.8 million annually if that’s what he wanted. He commended the young center for accepting less than market value as one of the best players in the league.

Peng believes Grier is now on the clock to build a playoff team around Celebrini, and eventually, a true Stanley Cup contender.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: With Celebrini re-signed, GM Mike Grier is shifting his focus to re-signing some other young Sharks.

Grier indicated that negotiations continue with Collin Graf’s camp, adding that the two sides are getting closer to a new contract. It’s projected the restricted free-agent forward could receive a two-year, $7.8 million deal or $45.5 million on a seven-year contract.

Like Celebrini, Will Smith can sign an extension this summer. Grier indicated that he’d like to get the 21-year-old forward under a long-term contract as soon as possible. It’s projected that Smith could get a five-year, $50 million deal ($10 million AAV).

NHL.COM: Sharks sophomore forward Michael Misa believes his rebuilding young team will take another step forward this season. The young club was in contention for a playoff berth throughout last season, finishing four points shy of a Western Conference wild-card berth.

Misa is excited to see what Celebrini will do for an encore this season after his 115-point sophomore campaign. The Sharks added veteran defensemen Darnell Nurse and Jacob Trouba, winger Mason Marchment, and goaltender Eric Comrie. They also signed top prospect Ivar Stenberg after selecting him with the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks had little choice but to sign Celebrini to his expensive new contract. It will also cost a lot to re-sign Smith, something Grier understandably wants to do now before his value climbs again. Misa could also be another high-priced re-signing next summer if he blossoms as expected in his sophomore campaign.

Misa is justified in his excitement about his promising team’s future. However, building the Sharks into a contender got more expensive.

PuckPedia indicates that the Sharks currently have $34.7 million cap space for 2027-28, the first season under Celebrini’s new contract. Assuming Smith gets $10 million annually and Graf $6.5 million on long-term deals, they’ll have around $18.2 million left. That will give them more than enough to re-sign promising goalie Yaroslav Askarov, who is an RFA with arbitration rights next summer, and sufficient space to fill out the remainder of the roster.

However, it could become more costly over the following two years. That’s when Misa, Sam Dickinson, Igor Chernyshov, and Stenberg will be due for new contracts. They’ll also face finding suitable replacements for aging core players Tyler Toffoli and Dmitry Orlov, and for backup goalies Alex Nedeljkovic and Eric Comrie.

The rising cap should help Grier in his efforts to re-sign or replace those players. However, the cost of doing so could reach a point where they run out of sufficient salary-cap space to add the necessary depth to become a Stanley Cup contender.