On the Forecheck, a Nashville Predators community

That's the insidious nature of the escrow-enforced triple cap system. It pits player against player, teammate against teammate, those under long-term contracts against those about to hit the market.

Players have paid 18 percent escrow in the first two quarters of this season, with the third-quarter amount to be decided at the end of the month. It's estimated the final escrow payments will range from 12 to 15 percent; again, another big chunk of change for the players.

The biggest frustration for the players is they are tied to the league's business decisions with no downward protection. For example, the players believe the whole Coyotes mess in Phoenix is costing them money and they have no say in it.