There’s danger in the Islanders becoming the champs of NHL free agency

There’s nothing like a trip to Nashville to remind you that cap space isn’t always your best friend.

In case you need a reminder, the Predators won the July 1 championship a year ago, when they brought in Steven Stamkos (4 years, $32 million), Jonathan Marchessault (5 years, $27.5 million) and Brady Skjei (7 years, $49 million). After six straight seasons without a playoff series victory, the Predators’ moves echoed around the league like a bachelorette party on Broadway.

The hangover, unfortunately, was also a lot like one of those.

Stamkos is currently 30 points off his pace from just one year ago, and is heading toward his worst plus-minus season ever and worst points output over a fully healthy season since 2008-09, when he was a rookie.