The NHL’s contract market is under pressure as teams and players face escalating costs, raising questions about who will make the first major concessions. With top free agents like Makar and Hughes poised to test the league’s financial limits, general managers and executives are weighing whether to prioritize competitive balance or risk unsustainable spending. Analysts suggest the league’s collective bargaining agreement may force difficult decisions before the next round of negotiations. The stakes are high as teams grapple with how to remain competitive without breaking the bank.

Makar, Hughes will reset NHL's ballooning contract market, but who blinks first?  theScore