Barry Trotz admits American teams have unfair advantage over Canadian teams
The NHL seeks to create parity among teams by implementing the salary cap, but some teams in some areas still get unfair advantages, being no-tax states.
Predators General Manager Barry Trotz admitted yesterday in a radio interview that teams in no tax states have an advantage.
«It is an advantage because your dollar goes a little bit farther. There's no question.
-Barry Trotz
The Predators made good on their supposed advantage in this year's free agency too. GM Trotz turned the Predators from a fringe playoff team into one that could potentially go on a playoff run - adding Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei.
The reality is that teams in no tax states always have a more attractive offer for free agent players. With equal contracts offered between Nashville and for example Edmonton, a player takes home significantly more money from the Predators. For this reason, many fans and media members have been clamouring that some teams have unfair advantages that go against the goals of the salary cap. Since 2016, every Stanley Cup Final except one featured at least one team from a no tax state.
The next collective bargaining agreement for the NHL is on the horizon, after the 2025-2026 season. If the fans and media are already noticing the issue of parity due to income tax, teams and ownership are surely aware of it as well. Hopefully some form of income tax adjustment can be implemented to better achieve parity in the league.
Source: The Score
Trotz says American teams have advantage
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 13 | 180 ANSWERS Barry Trotz admits American teams have unfair advantage over Canadian teams Do you think American teams have an advantage over Canadian teams? | ||
| Yes | 144 | 80 % |
| No | 25 | 13.9 % |
| See Results | 11 | 6.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
