Gary Bettman addresses tax advantage for Panthers in interview and NHL fans are furious

This debate has been going on throughout the entire playoffs and Spittin Chiclets Paul Bissonnette has been leading the charge stating that Florida and other states in America have an unfair advantage with no state income tax that allows teams to sign players at a lower cap hit.

Bettman was adamant during the interview that the state tax issue is completely overblown and practically a nonissue as he pointed out for well over 15 years, hardly any NHL stars signed with the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning due to poor ownership and poor team culture despite having the same tax advantage they've had today.

He made his points that NHL players would look at what organization would be best for their families, sending their kids to school in which cities better safe and an organization that has a culture of winning which he felt is a bigger priority for NHL stars than state taxes.

Many pundits and fans across the NHL feel that this issue allows teams like the Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights the ability to sign star players at a lower cap hit as players would have a larger portion of their salary in their pockets.

This, compared to teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and the Montreal Canadiens who's players all pay high state or provincial income tax.

Bettman has repeatedly told reporters especially during his news conference prior to the beginning of the Stanley Cup finals that the state tax issue will not be discussed in the new collective bargaining agreement negotiations.

As far as the NHL is concerned it's a nonissue and we'll move on and deal with more pressing issues including the LTIR advantage during the season which allows teams to circumvent the salary cap to help them in the playoffs.

Many feel that there is a deal on the horizon for the new collective agreement while it's uncertain when this will occur, many feel it will be done sooner rather than later.