The NHL salary cap was implemented ahead of the 2005-06 season, with the aim of creating more parity by preventing the richest franchises in the biggest markets from simply outbidding their competitors for top talent.
But what if that change was undone and teams were no longer restricted by a spending limit?
Here are three ways the NHL landscape would be different - both on and off the ice - if the salary cap once again ceased to exist.
Blackhawks extend Stanley Cup window
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One thing is certain: If there was no salary cap, Stan Bowman's job would be a lot easier.
The Chicago Blackhawks general manager has become a master at keeping his club largely intact while staying under the cap, winning three Stanley Cups with the current core.
That being said, it would be very interesting to watch Bowman wheel and deal without financial restrictions.
Over the years, he's been forced to trade away some high-end talent to fit the Blackhawks under the cap, including Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Brandon Saad, Brian Campbell (who was later reacquired), Patrick Sharp (ditto), Antti Raanta, Niklas Hjalmarsson, and Nick Leddy.
Keeping those players may not have guaranteed more Cup wins, but it certainly would have helped. Meanwhile, Blackhawks fans who weren't pleased with the Artemi Panarin trade could have had their cake and eaten it too, as Chicago wouldn't have dealt for Saad if it never had to let him go in the first place.
Less focus on analytics
Whether or not you swear by analytics, they're impossible to ignore in this day and age.
Prior to the eliminating the cap, advanced stats were seldom discussed - at least among casual fans - while teams simply threw money at players who passed the eye test and excelled in traditional ways. However, with front offices now on equal spending budgets, they've been forced to find any advantage they can, looking beyond the traditional box score for hidden gems who thrive in non-traditional ways.
With that in mind, teams are spending more money on the brightest minds in analytics, and are even creating full departments to get ahead in the field. Remember, the salary cap doesn't affect what management can offer to employees off the ice.
Maximizing the value of players and finding bargains has become a priority in the salary cap era, instead of simply overpaying for proven assets.
Maple Leafs' youth movement never happens
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With Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander now leading the charge in Toronto, it appears the Maple Leafs' lengthy struggle has come to an end.
However, with no salary cap, Toronto likely wouldn't have entered a period of darkness to begin with. The team is one of the revenue juggernauts of the NHL, and has the potential to outspend most suitors - just ask Mike Babcock.
Prior to the lockout - after which the salary cap was implemented - the Maple Leafs had made the playoffs in six straight seasons, from 1999-2004, reaching the Eastern Conference Final twice.
In fact, the 2004 Maple Leafs included Mats Sundin, Alexander Mogilny, Gary Roberts, Joe Nieuwendyk, Brian Leetch, Owen Nolan, Ron Francis, and Ed Belfour, just to name a few. A little on the old side, sure, but impressive nonetheless.
Without a spending limit, Toronto would have been able to keep a roster like that largely intact - adding other veterans along the way - instead of finding itself in a downward spiral from 2006 until last season.
But there's a bright side, which we're seeing now. While the Leafs would have remained competitive with no cap, it's hard to win the Cup without drafting at least one superstar. Instead, the fall to the basement and the subsequent rebuild has Toronto on track with young, exciting home-grown talents.
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