Mark Humphrey / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane, left, and center Jonathan Toews have agreed to long-term contract extensions.

But there's a major difference between what's going on in Chicago and what happened in Detroit and Pittsburgh. Both the Penguins and the Red Wings lost Hossa and got nothing in return. Detroit also had to let other quality players like Ty Conklin and Mikael Samuelsson leave town without compensation.

It's a reality of the salary cap world, but Chicago's salary cap issues won't be solved with departing free agents.

The Blackhawks have two players who will be unrestricted free agents after this season — John Madden and Adam Burish.

It's going to take trades to get the roster and salary cap number where it needs to be and those trades, not the contract extensions announced Thursday, will be Bowman's biggest test.

It certainly makes his job of clearing salary cap space a little more challenging, but Bowman doesn't see his slew of players under contract beyond this season as a negative. Chicago has players other teams want — and that's a good thing.

"In some ways you're better off having assets you can move rather than have them walk out the door for nothing. It's better to have too many guys having good seasons," Bowman said. "We're talking some pretty good players here. I think that's the difference — I don't look at it as a negative for us."

The other positive? The major moves won't need to be made until the summer. A small salary might be shed in order to make the new contracts for Toews, Kane and Keith fit but the key components of the Blackhawks roster should stay intact. That roster has dominated play for most of this season and now Chicago's best are locked in long-term, with their focus now solely on winning.

That's a scary thought for everyone else in the Western Conference.

"Certainly, Chicago — they have some difficult decisions," Holland said. "But you know what? They have an awesome hockey team this year."

Right now, that's all that matters.

SportingNews.com Blackhawks re-sign defenseman Nick Boynton Leafs allow college prospect Sweatt to walk after dispute over contract Maple Leafs let Kaberle deadline pass; defenseman regains no-trade rights Canada beats United States to win third consecutive Ivan Hlinka tournament Patrick Kane brings Stanley Cup home to Buffalo

More news

NBC Sports

'For me, it's unbelievable'

  Video: 40-year-old Devils goalie Martin Brodeur will be making his fifth Stanley Cup finals appearance.

NHL.com: 5th Cup finals for Brodeur  |  'Feels good'

Headlines

• Label

PHT: Stanley Cup finals has great storylines

PHT: Future isn't terrible for the Rangers

Devils oust Rangers in OT, reach Cup finals

Highlights: OT goal delivers Devils to Cup finals

PHT: Rangers' gas tank hits empty | Rally falls short

NHL.com: Torts praises Rangers after season ends

PHT vote: Devils or Kings to win Stanley Cup finals?

Review of Stanley Cup winners