The Daily: Bettman vs. Biz, Mario Returning, Stecher Back In

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman isn’t buying what TNT Hockey Analyst Paul Bissonnette is selling about what he believes is the Florida Panthers’ competitive advantage because Florida doesn’t have a state income tax.

The idea is players prefer to go to those teams because they keep more of their income.

Bissonnette asked Bettman whether the NHL would take action to remedy the situation and the commissioner called it a “ridiculous issue.”

“When the Florida teams weren’t good, which was for about 17 years, nobody said anything about it,” Bettman said. “For those of you who played, were you sitting there with a tax table? No.”

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman calls Paul Bissonnette's concern about the NHL & Florida's lack of state tax "ridiculous."

Bettman adds, "I was watching you during the prior rounds. Your attire was a little suspect in terms of your journalistic objectivity." 🏒🎙️#NHL #StanleyCup https://t.co/eLmLyNCi2c pic.twitter.com/25Tuu8gKnm

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 9, 2025

Florida isn’t the only state that carries an advantage. The Dallas Stars don’t have state taxes, but haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1998-99 and have lost in the Western Conference Final in each of the last three seasons. The Nashville Predators also have the benefit of no state tax and are currently among the NHL’s worst teams. The Vegas Golden Knights play in a state without state income tax, they have recently won a Stanley Cup.

“Could (no state tax) be a little bit of a factor if everything else were equal? I suppose, but that’s not it,” Bettman said. “By the way, state taxes high in Los Angeles, high in New York. What are we going to do, subsidize those teams?”

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Anaheim goalie advised young Czech goalie Michal Postava to sign with the Red Wings.

Father’s Day tale: Will Horcoff, Shawn’s son, appreciates how his father has helped him develop as a hockey player.

Detroit prospect Dimitri Buchelnikov was traded from one KHL team to another. That probably will impact when the Russian standout comes to North America.  Bob Duff has the details.

Red Wings Extra

Defenseman Troy Stecher was a fan favorite when he played in Detroit (2020-22). Fans liked his energy and his one-on-one defensive play.  He seems to have the same fan support in Edmonton where reports say he may re-enter the lineup tonight for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Florida Panthers lead the series 2-1, and the Oilers and their fans they need a solid, dependable defender, like Stecher, more than they need puck mover John Klingberg.

Hockey Now Network

Chicago: Greg Boysen writes that signing Mitch Marner would be no easy task for the Blackhawks. But they must take a shot. This is a paywall story. But you can read paywall stories from other Hockey Now sites by subscribing to DHN+.  Chicago Blackhawks.

Colorado: Aarif Deen offers that Cale Makar made his Norris Trophy vote an easy decision. Colorado Avalanche. 

Pittsburgh: PHN has confirmed that Mario Lemieux is interested in buying back a piece of the Penguins team. His former co-owner Ron Burkle, plus former Team President David Morehouse, would join him in the endeavor. Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose: Shang Peng looks at what the Sharks need to do this summer to improve. Not surprising, it includes talk of free agent signings and trades. San Jose Sharks. 

Vegas: Hannah Kirkell looks at the Alex Pietrangelo injury situation, and the impact it could have on their interest is signing free agent Mitch Marner.  Vegas Golden Knights.