Daily Cupcakes: How NHL teams are avoiding Salary Cap Hell.

In case you missed it: Colorado Avalanche Sign Nail Yakupov to a 1-year deal. [Mile High Hockey]

A quiet offseason is a good offseason for the Avs [Mile High Hockey]

Kostin released by KHL club, expected to sign with Blues soon. [NBC Sports]

NHL free agents following NBA path in picking destination. [The Star]

Ilya Kovalchuk will not play in NHL this season. [NHL]

Next battle for former NHL slugger Troy Crowder: Ontario politics. [CBC]

The GMs are learning: NHL teams favor stopgap solutions — and avoid salary-cap hell — in free agency. [National Post]