First let's establish parameters here: let's say in cases where teams acquire players who make(or immediately get signed to) 7 mill $ contracts(AAV), or higher. In terms of hit, this would constitute the star-superstar realm(particularly with MacKinnon making less). Many points:
1- Are these deals disappearing? Have GM's(& owners) decided the risk ain't worth it?
2- Is team composition changing? Having a player take up 8-12% of team spending limit, just trickles down weakness into your depth lines.
3- Blues & Bruins in last final seems to highlight this trending reality.
4- Did NJ BADDDly time things. Subban is a 9,000,000 $ lump, & the market for Hall might become a roadside kiosk. Dallas another textbook case study, for Xmas spending-exuberance.
5- Has the 4-6 mill/with term, heavy hitter, just gained influence in a new paradigm? If so, JB acquiring Miller might be cited as a GM textbook-masterpiece(with hindsight)
6- As for contracts, the Hogtown Leaves will probably be a neg lesson, for decades forward. UFAs can poison a well, just as quickly!
Posters, pls reference recent deals(perhaps past few seasons). Who has actually WON taking on big expenditures? Off the top of my noggin, would say ROR/StLoo is the obvious candidate, & last Dec(2018), apparently their GM was days from hosting a bloodybig yard sale(clearing house). They almost trashed the winning blueprint, emphasizing not to waver too quickly from a chosen route.
I feel there's a big lesson in all this, & believe JB(& co) are intimately aware. We're well positioned to change course, if need be.