The parity in the league is a direct result of having a salary cap system. The salary cap was introduced so smaller market teams can thrive. Without a salary cap, you end up with the big market teams with rich owners like Toronto, Detroit and New York build dynasties. And let's not forget Calgary is a small market team. We just don't generate enough revenue for the owners to dish out hundreds of millions of dollars to the superstars if there is no salary cap. Add to the fact that Calgary is not as attractive of a destination as some of the US metropolitans...
Several posters brought up the possibility of a two tiered system like in football. In the English Premier League, the big spenders like Man City, Man U, Chelsea, etc. have payrolls 10 times as much as some of the lower teams. And the EPL is one of the leagues with the most parity in European football. Two players on Bayern Munich make more than 5 of the lower ranked teams entire payroll. It's no wonder Bayern destroys the German domestic league every year.
If the NHL uses a system like that, I think the Flames are one of the teams that flounder in mediocrity for a long time. Not relegation bad, but not Man U good either. We would be like West Ham or something.
Also, imagine Toronto throwing a 200M offer sheet at Tkachuk in a world without a salary cap. No way can we even match that.
I know a lot of posters are posted off at the Oilers hot start, but honestly I think the league is better because of parity and more importantly, the Flames are better because of parity.
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