Nobody is taking away from the fact that the team also had to be well managed to get to where they are...
- Beergu

Of course, they just accidently never mention the management.

but to deny the fact that Tampa (and a few other teams) are at a huge advantage in contract negotiations due to the tax advantage is just silly.
- Beergu

Where is the evidence for this? Why can't anybody give any if this is such a huge issue? Is it an advantage? Sure. Is it "huge"? No, because most of the cups lately have been won in high tax areas. This is why it's purely a flavor of the month excuse. There's nothing to point to other than "It's some advantage but for the sake of my argument it's going to be a MASSIVE advantage".

Tell me, does Edmonton have an advantage over say Buffalo or Arizona because Edmonton has McJesus? I mean more players would be willing to go to Edmonton, that's clearly a huge unfair advantage, something should be done about it!

There's never going to be a 100% even playing field, that's a literal impossibility. But the idea that someone can go in and micromanage all the unfairness out of the game is akin to believing in Santa.

Of course, they just accidently never mention the management.
I do seem to remember taxes being a significant point (at least within the media and blogosphere) when Stamkos decided to stay in Tampa rather than be Pajama boy and go home to Toronto.
Besides Texas (whose Stars were in the Final last year) and Nevada (whose Knights are poised to get there this year) the only other state with a team and no state income tax is Tennessee. The Preds, while they have underwhelmed in some big moments, have been a solid team for nearly a decade. So while that may not be the rock solid evidence you are looking for, there is some smoke there.



Where is the evidence for this? Why can't anybody give any if this is such a huge issue? Is it an advantage? Sure. Is it "huge"? No, because most of the cups lately have been won in high tax areas. This is why it's purely a flavor of the month excuse. There's nothing to point to other than "It's some advantage but for the sake of my argument it's going to be a MASSIVE advantage".

Tell me, does Edmonton have an advantage over say Buffalo or Arizona because Edmonton has McJesus? I mean more players would be willing to go to Edmonton, that's clearly a huge unfair advantage, something should be done about it!

There's never going to be a 100% even playing field, that's a literal impossibility. But the idea that someone can go in and micromanage all the unfairness out of the game is akin to believing in Santa.
- Izzo

Unfortunately no
- Tee56

What's so unfortunate? (frank) the Isles!

1st period of game 6 will be telling. The Isles need to bash the door in and score a goal. If the Bolts get another lead in the next two games its over. They're just super super good. Brayden Point 79th overall. Ugh...
- lacaprup

Sorokin 78th🤦‍♂️

I'm beyond tired of hearing people whine about the Lightning being over the cap and no state income tax being a huge advantage. Every team has the opportunity to be over the cap during the playoffs. Why is it the Lightnings fault that other GM's aren't taking advantage of it ? Years of great draft picks and decent trades have us absolutely stacked and we're utilizing those assets. We've also had multiple players sign team friendly deals because they want to be here. As far as the tax advantage, not once did I hear someone complaining about it during roughly nine years of a terrible hockey team after we won our first cup. From 2007-2013 we made the playoffs once, man that tax advantage sure was a huge factor over those six years!!! Like Izzo said, it's just a convenient excuse for people to use right now because we're a great team. Move on people !!!