from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

Imagine telling someone back in September that the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings would miss the playoffs.

Then imagine telling that person defending Presidents' Trophy winners the Boston Bruins would need a win and some help on the final day of the season to get in.

You would also tell this person the Pittsburgh Penguins would be on the ropes, too, in the final 48 hours of the regular season and might sneak in just by a hair.

Finally, you would also say that perennial contenders the San Jose Sharks -- who have been to the playoffs in 10 straight seasons -- would be out, and it wasn't that close, either.

That person might say you were on something. But, should we really be all that shocked?

As much as one can paint it all as the fall of the titans, the more accurate diagnosis is that what the NHL set out to accomplish 10 years ago has finally hit home with 100 percent voracity.

The salary cap has fully spread its wings.

continued