Free agency is just around the corner and general managers have their wallets at the ready. A handful of top players headline this summer's crop, but cap concerns from past deals could keep at least three teams out of the bidding:
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks needing to shed salary has become an annual event. It's the price you pay when you rack up three Stanley Cups in six years, and then fork out big-money deals to keep the band together.
But not only have rich contracts hurt the Blackhawks, so too have deals where cheap, young talent was exported to give Chicago some necessary cap relief.
Like last June, when Teuvo Teravainen, then 21, was shipped to the Carolina Hurricanes so the Blackhawks could do away with Bryan Bickell. Or two years ago, when Chicago couldn't afford to keep Brandon Saad and sent him to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Interestingly enough, the Blackhawks re-acquired Saad last week, sending Artemi Panarin to the Blue Jackets. The two wingers have the same cap hit, but with Saad signed through 2021, the Blackhawks avoid the future financial challenges that would have come with extending Panarin, whose contract expires in two seasons.
This summer, Chicago is the lone team exceeding the $75-million salary cap, as the Blackhawks sit nearly $3 million above the cap ceiling. They'll have the offseason to become compliant, but it won't be easy.
Winger Marian Hossa, who will sit out next season due to a progressive skin disorder, can be placed on long-term injured reserve, relieving the team of his $5.275-million cap charge. But Chicago must first be under the cap before that move can occur.
That means someone else is on the outs, with the long-rumored candidate being center Marcus Kruger, whose cap hit is about $3.1 million. Removing his contract without money coming back would ease things for Chicago, but doing so would likely take another high draft pick or quality young player from an already depleted prospect cupboard.
While Chicago's lack of cap flexibility should keep the team from making much noise this offseason, the Blackhawks already have a full roster signed through next season, with no notable free agents in need of new contracts.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild have long been rumored to be shopping a piece from their impressive defensive collection, a seemingly necessary deal to right the team's salary cap structure.
While Minnesota won't trade top rearguard Ryan Suter, nor his defensive partner Jared Spurgeon, the team has drawn plenty of interest in Jonas Brodin, Marco Scandella, and Matt Dumba.
Dealing from the team's position of strength should also help the Wild bulk up elsewhere, with GM Chuck Fletcher interested in adding another center to his lineup.
As for the forward ranks, the Wild have just eight skaters under contract, meaning the team must sign at least four players before the season starts. That includes Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter, both restricted free agents who will command top dollar on new deals.
Granlund had a breakout season last year, posting a career-high 69 points to lead the Wild in scoring. He'll want to be paid accordingly. Same with Niederreiter, who achieved career bests in goals, assists, and points last season to finish fourth in team scoring behind Granlund, Eric Staal, and captain Mikko Koivu.
Both Granlund and Niederreiter are due significant raises, and combined could cost the Wild more than $10 million. That would leave Minnesota with little cash to spruce up the rest of the roster, with two more forwards and another blue-liner or two on the shopping list.
Limited cap funds will also take the Wild out of the sweepstakes for center Martin Hanzal, who was acquired from the Arizona Coyotes at last year's trade deadline. That deal cost the Wild a combination of draft picks, including a first-rounder at last week's entry draft.
Minnesota is not expected to bring back netminder Darcy Kuemper, a pending unrestricted free agent, leaving the Wild to explore free agency for a backup to compete alongside Alex Stalock for the No. 2 position.
Washington Capitals
T.J. Oshie can remain a key contributor in the coming seasons, but there is no denying his recently signed eight-year extension does no favors for the club in the long-term.
Oshie's signing brought the Capitals to more than $57 million against the salary cap, meaning Washington now has less than $18 million to fill out the remainder of its roster, with five forwards, three defensemen, and a backup netminder left to sign. No doubt it will be a busy offseason for GM Brian MacLellan.
Oshie was just the first big contract signing for the Capitals this summer, particularly up front, where Justin Williams and restricted free agents Andre Burakovsky and Evgeny Kuznetsov are in need of new deals.
It's fair to assume Kuznetsov, who hasn't missed a game over the past two seasons and has averaged 0.83 points per game over that time, will see a big-ticket deal of his own, likely coming in around $6 million annually. Meanwhile, Burakovsky should cost about half of that figure, leaving little wiggle room for Washington to retain Williams. The veteran forward boasts an attractive playoff resume that is sure to draw several interested suitors in free agency.
The Capitals' defense doesn't offer a much clearer picture either. Power-play specialist Kevin Shattenkirk, who the Capitals brought in from the St. Louis Blues at the trade deadline, is considered the top free agent available, but he isn't likely to stay in Washington.
Fellow defenseman Karl Alzner is also receiving plenty of calls in the lead-up to free agency. The veteran defender has drawn interest from a host of teams, including the Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, and Winnipeg Jets, so there is no guarantee he'll return for another term in D.C.
Losing both, in addition to Nate Schmidt, who the Vegas Golden Knights claimed in the expansion draft, decimates a Capitals blue line that has just four defensemen under contract next season. Cap concerns could force Washington to seek out more affordable options via free agency, or to promote from within. Candidates like Christian Djoos and Madison Bowey played key roles for Hershey in the AHL last season and could see a move up to the big club.
Defenseman Dmitry Orlov, also a restricted free agent, is another top priority for the Capitals. But getting the Russian-born blue-liner to agree to a new deal could come with further challenges, as he could draw interest from the KHL. Backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer is also due a new contract.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.