Lightning ranked 23rd on Forbes NHL team values

The Tampa Bay Lightning were ranked as the 23rd most valuable franchise after the 2012 season according to Forbes magazine.

The Lightning were given a valuation of $174 million last year, which is the same valuation given to them as last year. Forbes also said that the Lightning ended the year with a $13.1 million loss, but had an operating income of $88 million, which according to Damian Christodero of the Tampa Bay Times was tied for the best in franchise history.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were ranked as the most valuable franchise with a valuation of $1 billion, followed by Original Six members New York, Montreal, Chicago, Boston and Detroit. The St. Louis Blues were the least valuable franchise in the NHL with a valuation of $130 million.

The Lightning also have two of the highest 10 paid players when combining players salaries and endorsements, with Vincent Lecavalier in eighth with $7.9 million and Steven Stamkos in fifth with $8.3 million in earnings last year. Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby was listed as the top NHL earner, totaling $12.7 million last year.