Barry Trotz admits tax-free states have competitive advantage.

For some time there has been a controversial debate raging within the National Hockey League, one that surrounds questions of competitive integrity when it comes to tax-free states.

The general criticism among those who feel this has given certain teams an unfair advantage stems from the fact that players on contracts in tax-free states will earn more than players on identical contracts playing elsewhere, effectively giving certain teams the ability to offer players more real dollars in their pocket at no extra cost to themselves. More importantly, those extra dollars go into the pockets of players without teams in tax-free states having to commit as much of their limited salary cap dollars each and every season.

Unfortunately there appears to be no end to this debate, although general manager Barry Trotz of the Nashville Predators recently made some comments that could sway the opinions of some. Trotz, who himself reaps the advantages of recruiting players to a tax-free state in Tennessee as GM of the Predators, has come right out and admitted that it does indeed give teams an advantage.

"There's no question it is an advantage," admitted Trotz on TSN Overdrive. 

While most may be inclined to believe that the biggest advantage would come when the biggest contracts are on the table, Trotz actually indicated that he believes it is a bigger factor when it comes to rounding out the middle of your roster.

"When you talk to a Steven Stamkos... or the players that are serial winners, guys that have gone deep, had good careers and made a lot of money, it doesn't go that far," revealed Trotz. "It does help the middle group a little bit, for the elite players they are just looking for a place that is serious about winning."

Trotz did again admit that he does feel that it helps a team round out its roster.

"For the guys that are usually leading your teams and being the big difference makers I don't think it is that big of a difference, I think it is more for the guys that are sort of in the second and third tier."