I think you kind of contradict yourself in these two paragraphs. Historically we've been a team that has spent in the middle of the pack, but this season we are bottom-three. If the market is as flawed as you state and the cap continues to rise at the same rate is has been the last few years (and Eugene remains owner) I don't think there's a scenario where this team can/will spend "league average" on salaries.
I agree, but there are many teams in the same boat as we are. We are bottom three this year because we are rebuilding and have 4 major players looking for new deals. If we sign Stone and Duchene, and Dzingle too, I wonder if we’ll still be bottom three next year.
if EK has negotiated and signed a deal that paid him 10 million a season last summer, we also wouldn’t be bottom 3 either.