Quoting: Schnauff
Not a dig at Canadian teams just the Canadian dollar and taxes
Players get paid in US dollars no matter where they play. And Alberta taxes are about average for the league. Taxes due on a $9,000,000 salary in Edmonton compared to NHL cities with contending teams:
$349,380 cheaper in Edmonton than if playing for the New York Rangers
$433,602 more in Edmonton than Chicago
$111,161 cheaper than Minnesota
$492,812 cheaper than Ottawa (or Toronto)
$224,802 more than Pittsburgh (or Philadelphia)
$402,034 cheaper than San Jose / Anaheim / LA
$141,329 more than St. Louis
$29,923 cheaper than Washington