Capped out: Flat salary cap makes NHL teams get creative

St. Louis Blues' Mike Hoffman (68) and San Jose Sharks' Fredrik Handemark (37) chase after a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

FILE - Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, and Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33), of Slovakia, battle for position during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Washington, in this, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, file photo. The Capitals won 3-2. Ovechkin goes into the final year of his contract with the Capitals looking to win the Stanley Cup for the second time. He’ll have 43-year-old past champion Zdeno Chara with him but not Henrik Lundqvist chasing his first title, after tests showed the veteran goaltender couldn’t keep playing because of a heart condition. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Dallas Stars head coach Rick Bowness, right, makes a point with defenseman Jerad Rosburg (39) during NHL hockey training camp practice Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)