Monitoring each NHL team's proximity to the NHL's $56.8 million salary cap has become a daily routine.
The Chicago Blackhawks are a great example of a team whose payroll indicates that moves are coming and good players could have to go.
The Blackhawks have 13 players under contract for 2010-2011 and a committed payroll of $43 million. Assuming the cap stays the same, that leaves roughly $15 million for Chicago to re-sign ten restricted free agents and two potential unrestricted free agents in John Madden and injured forward Adam Burish.
Star forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, along with defenceman Duncan Keith are among the Hawks' free agent class.
Early indications suggest Keith can expect $5 million or higher, while Toews and Kane may come in around $6.5 million each on an annual average. That's $18 million for just three players.
Chicago will have to relieve the pressure, so trades are expected.
Cam Barker's name has surfaced as a potential target, but the defenceman's $3.1 million dollar salary may not represent enough cap room for the Hawks.
Patrick Sharp has also been labelled a potential target by possible suitors, but Chicago doesn't want to deal him.
Moving Brian Campbell would provide a quick fix, but with four years remaining at $7.1 million per after this season, it's unlikely the Blackhawks will be able to find the veteran defenceman a new home.
Re-signing Keith, Kane and Toews is a priority.
Clearing cap space to do it, though, may be a problem.