Chicago signs Marian Hossa: 12-year, $62.8 million contract

Winner: The 2009-2010 Chicago Blackhawks. If it can get some consistent goaltending from Huet or another FA signing, and its young players progress as expected, this team is a powerhouse and a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Hossa, Kane, Toews, Bolland, Byfuglien, and Ladd up front? Not to mentioned Keith, Seabrook, and Campbell on the back end? Yikes.

Loser: The 2011-2012 Chicago Blackhawks. Whatever gains the Blackhawks are making now, they appear to be jeopardizing their promising future. One look at NHL Numbers tells the story. The 2011-12 team will have 10 players under contract at 25 million dollars, and need to resign Toews, Kane, Ladd, and Duncan Keith, all of whom are RFA's expecting $5-6 million plus on long term deals (Ladd will probably command a bit less.) If the cap rises, the Blackhawks will be fine, but if the cap levels off or drops, the Blackhawks may be faced with losing one or two of their talented young players to make room for a Slovakian under contract until he's 42.