Here’s an excerpt from a very good article by Globesports.com which explains in depth how Canadian teams are the biggest contributors to some of the weaker NHL sisters:
According to several sources, the average annual revenue-sharing payout is between $6-million and $12-million. The Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks are the top three Canadian contributors, which isn’t surprising since the teams ranked first, second and third in NHL ticket revenue last season. (Toronto was first, earning $1.9-million per game.) Along with being one of the main contributors to revenue sharing, the Maple Leafs are also expected to spend close to the cap this season.