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Former Detroit Red Wings right wing Mikael Samuelsson.

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"The cap number just didn't work out. It's not a surprise. Our team last year was as deep a one as we'll ever field; we had the stars aligned for us. It was a one-year window. Now it's about drafting and developing."

— Red Wings GM Ken Holland

The salary cap's created some issues for the Red Wings these days, and Detroit's had to watch more significant free agents walk than anyone thus far. Three signed with division rivals, while a fourth in Mikael Samuelsson stayed in the conference with another top team.

This hasn't been a problem confined to the Red Wings, however, as if you look at what all of last year's division winners have done in free agency so far, there's been an awful lot more players in the outbox than coming in:

There are two basic ways to look at this. Either, (a) these teams are strong enough that they can afford to lose this many bodies and replace from within, or (b) this is the effect the salary cap has on the top teams'  ability to compete for UFAs. Good teams generally have good, young players who are about to be paid more than they currently are, and that creates a squeeze in the off-season.

Another factor that comes into play is the fact we're only four days into free agency, and some of the best bargains haven't yet found a home. It's certainly plausible that the Canucks and Devils add another key body, although the majority of these clubs are right up against the cap despite doing very, very little in free agency.

Some of the losses are obviously more significant than others, but what they all contribute to is a weakening of teams' depth and the further spreading out of talent. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, but it will make it difficult for the same teams to continue to win, year after year.

My guess is this trend contributes to a bit of a changing of the guard in 2009-10, with a few of these teams taking a sizable step back.