In the National Hockey League, cap space and flexibility is as crucial as anything. Recently, teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings have run into a number of issues due to their little remaining salary cap wiggle room.
With Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane locked up to massive, eight-year, $10,500,000 dual contracts, the Blackhawks have failed to build around their two superstars thanks in part to $21 million being tied up in two athletes. The same can be said of the Kings, who have Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, and Jeff Carter signed to large contracts, limiting their free agency options.