It's a rare combination of events in recent NHL history that is leading up to what may be the most volatile, and for fans, terrifying, off-season in recent memory.
The repercussions of a salary cap that will not rise much, if at all, and the uncertainty of a looming expansion draft where every team could lose an at least decent player has the makings of a dramatic off-season.
The seal was broken yesterday with a cap-space clearing trade by the Chicago Blackhawks. They sent Bryan Bickell and Teuvo Teravainen to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for draft picks.