Hockey prompt:

The NHL salary cap is unfortunately a necessary evil to keep hockey from ending up like professional baseball. I personally don't think it's the best method but I do think it helps keep parity pretty decent and makes it so bottom teams don't get constantly out spent. If there was not a salary cap then I think you would have scenarios where big markets teams like the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs are the only teams getting the big free agents. I remember when Jeff Finger was getting absolutely ridiculous deals as a free agent. There has to be some sort of balance so that this does not happen again. Arizona and other small market teams will never be able to compete with this and you'll see what happens in baseball where a small market team is good for 2-3 years and then has to sell off everyone to tank for draft picks.

I honestly think the NBA's salary cap is pretty good structure with some adjustments so teams aren't spending 100 million plus more than teams closer to the floor. It would allow teams who draft and develop their players well to go over the cap maximum.