The NHL is undergoing a historic salary cap boom, and with that come consequences. Not only has it sent player salaries skyrocketing, but it’s also shifted how front offices do business.

In the flat-cap era, teams didn’t always have the cap space to sign their restricted free agents long-term, which forced them into cheap bridge deals. While there were exceptions, most players didn’t earn massive dollar figures until they had proven themselves for a few years. That’s not the case anymore.

More teams have cap space, and offer sheets have come into vogue, giving young players far more leverage than they used to have. If front offices weren’t wary of this changing power dynamic before, they certainly were after Leo Carlsson signed his massive offer sheet earlier this summer. It served as a cautionary tale for anyone still nickel-and-diming cornerstone players.

The message has been heard loud and clear: Lock up your talent. Get your best young players signed long-term before their leverage grows and their contract demands balloon. Even if they haven’t proven themselves in the NHL.

Why are NHL teams paying high prices for unproven potential?

Over the weekend, the Vancouver Canucks signed Zeev Buium to an eight-year extension, with a $9.38 million AAV, locking in a high-profile RFA........

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