The salary cap in the NHL has, predictably, levelled the playing field when it comes to team payrolls (especially when compared with other leagues, particularly Major League Baseball). With the 2010 Stanley Cup championship final set to open tomorrow night at the United Center in Chicago, note the respective projected payrolls based on information from the 2009 season by Forbes.com, of Philadelphia and Chicago.

NOTE: Includes contracts assigned to minors which do not get charged against the salary cap.