Eriksson didn't end up scoring 60+ points like he did in Dallas. Horton left, replaced by Iginla, and then they couldn't keep Iginla. They trade Boychuk because they probably can't keep him long term, then the Hamilton situation comes out of nowhere, Chara gets older, and Seidenberg isn't a spring chicken. Their top 4 on defense, 4 of their top 5, whatever, either gone or now a question. They got no immediate help from trading Boychuk. No immediate help from trading Hamilton. 1 young defenseman today for Lucic. Without Chara and Seidenberg, they have no d-men that have played 300 game yet, and only 1 that has played over 200.
The cap and age come for everyone. Not every team is going to have a young Toews and Kane for one cap crunch, and then a Toews and Kane in their mid 20's for a second crunch.