Nashville GM Admits What Fans Already Know The Salary Cap Isn't Equal For All

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Matt Garland
July 13, 2024 (7:35)

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Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz has admitted what hockey fans have already known for a long time, the salary cap isn't equal for all teams. Nashville is housed in Tennessee, one of the nine U.S. states that don't levy a state income tax. This means that players get to take home more of their net pay.

The Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, and Seattle Kraken all share this same edge over the rest of the league.

Trotz appeared on TSN's Overdrive, fully acknowledging the advantage his franchise has when it comes to the location they are housed and how it affects the cap.

"It is an advantage because your dollar goes a little bit farther,"

Trotz said

Many hockey pundits have the Nashville Predators winning free agency, after capturing the signatures of 40 goals scorers Jonathan Marchessault and Steve Stamkos as well as defenceman Brady Skjei.

Trotz concedes that no state income tax plays a part in persuading high-end UFAs, but it is the culture and the franchise's will to win that play the biggest roles.

"When you talk to Stamkos or Marchessault or players that are serial winners, guys that have gone deep, have had good careers, and made a lot of money, it doesn't go that far," Trotz continued. "But it does help the middle group a little bit. For the elite players, the top players, they're just looking for a place that's serious about winning, wants to win, fits in their window."

It is no coincidence that four of the last five Stanley Cup Champions play in tax-free states: the Panthers (2024), Golden Knights (2023), and Lightning (2021, 2020). A Canadian team hasn't captured the Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.

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