The problem is it is all about the money. Writing about the New York Rangers means spending more time on their page at Capfriendly.com and figuring out cap margins with a calculator, than writing about the game.
It’s an affliction that affects every hockey website and publication. Managing to the cap has become the preoccupation of the off-season instead of talent development or expectations for the new season.
Think about it. We are more concerned about buyout windows, restricted free agent offer sheets, arbitration hearings and cap machinations than about the game itself. It is a high stakes game of Monopoly where managing assets is more important than winning.