Teams will not be handing out long term contracts in the flat cap era

I agree, I think the middle class is going to get squeezed even more than they are already and vets looking for security in their final years are not going to get much of anything. At least for the next year or two. I think you could see teams like Colorado, Toronto and a few others load up on vets looking to rebuild their stock and hopefully take a deep run in hopes the economy rebounds after next season and then cash in but I also think this will be the catalyst for change where GM's stop handing out long term money to old players leaving their prime. Or who are already past it. Pietrangelo for example could be the last 30 year old defenceman to sign a long term deal, its going to be a bad deal 100%.