Despite NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman's denials, differing tax rates between Canadian and U.S. cities are significantly impacting NHL roster construction and player retention, particularly for Canadian teams. This tax disparity, along with branding issues and fan pressure in major Canadian markets, makes it harder for Canadian teams to attract and keep top talent, potentially leading to players prioritizing anonymity and lower tax environments over traditional hockey markets.
Despite NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s denials, differing taxes are a growing problem for hockey
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Despite NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman's denials, differing tax rates between Canadian and U.S. cities are significantly impacting NHL roster construction and player retention, particularly for Canadian teams. This tax disparity, along with branding issues and fan pressure in major Canadian markets, makes it harder for Canadian teams to attract and keep top talent, potentially leading to players prioritizing anonymity and lower tax environments over traditional hockey markets.
Trending- 1 Monday (June 9, 2025): Gary Bettman spoke on TNT broadcast.
- 2 Current: Stanley Cup finals ongoing.
- 3 Next year or so: Oilers have big contracts coming up.
- Canadian NHL teams face challenges in attracting and retaining top talent
- Potential for players to prioritize lower-tax markets
- Financial implications for player contracts
- Perceived institutional failing for the NHL
What: Differing tax rates and branding issues are negatively impacting NHL roster construction and player retention, especially for Canadian teams, despite Commissioner Gary Bettman's denials.
When: During the Stanley Cup finals (current time), Monday (June 9, 2025) for TNT broadcast.
Where: Ottawa, Las Vegas, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Florida, Nevada, Dallas, Calgary, Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale.
Why: Players face significant financial differences due to provincial/state taxes, and Canadian teams struggle with intense media scrutiny and fan pressure, making non-traditional markets more appealing.
How: Discussion on TNT broadcast, analysis of player contracts and market dynamics.