The Big Market Arms Race: How Money Talks in NHL Free Agency

The NHL's richest franchises are flexing their financial muscle in free agency, and it's creating a widening gap between the haves and have-nots. Teams in major markets are throwing serious cash at available talent, which raises questions about competitive balance across the league. This spending spree could reshape the playoff picture for years to come, as smaller-market clubs struggle to keep pace with the financial firepower of their big-city rivals.