NHL 2024/25 Official Discussion Thread (Current Champions: Florida Panthers)

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Cause they pay a ton of accountants to make sure it's not a big deal. Austin Mathews pays less taxes than anyone on the Panthers does because he takes all his money as a signing bonus in AZ. I'll bet money Kaprizov has a condo somewhere that all his money is going to as well (he's all signing bonus). And sponsors/owners make up more money. When Toronto was trying to sign Stamkos, they had their top 5 sponsors meet with him and guarantee to at least double his salary every year with endorsements.

That’s true

And I forgot Canadians and Russians are really weird too

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Really i never understand why there isn’t a line of pro athletes starting at the orange stand on the I-95 welcome center waiting to get in?

Why wouldn’t you want a spot in the sun in a tax shelter?

I don’t think it’s a coincidence no state tax states like Florida and Nevada have won 5 of the last 6 cups, that 10% discount comes in handy to sign guys a bit cheaper and build a deeper team.

A good accountant can only do so much, even if he can cut an athletes state tax bill in half it’s still a lot more than 0.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don’t think it’s a coincidence no state tax states like Florida and Nevada have won 5 of the last 6 cups, that 10% discount comes in handy to sign guys a bit cheaper and build a deeper team.

A good accountant can only do so much, even if he can cut an athletes state tax bill in half it’s still a lot more than 0.

Well that….and they both cheated the salary cap each year

Definitely NOT a coincidence there

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Well that….and they both cheated the salary cap each year

Definitely NOT a coincidence there

They didn’t cheat the salary cap, they just exploited the loopholes.

 

[LSLS]

I don’t think it’s a coincidence no state tax states like Florida and Nevada have won 5 of the last 6 cups, that 10% discount comes in handy to sign guys a bit cheaper and build a deeper team.

A good accountant can only do so much, even if he can cut an athletes state tax bill in half it’s still a lot more than 0.

Mathews pays less in taxes than Eichel, why did he not take a huge discount to stay with Toronto? Why did no players realize these benefits until Tampa and Florida became good? Why does nobody sign in Orlando for basketball? Why does everyone seem to want out of the Cowboys? I didn't hear the taxes argument when Raptors players were talking about taking discounts to keep their teams together.

Tampa isn't elite because of taxes, they are elite because they run an elite organization, treat players well, and have a culture of winning through elite drafting. It's why players who aren't even known for being Tampa players still end up back down there as part of the organization. Toronto promised Stamkos more money than Tampa, even after taxes. He didn't go there because their culture and how the media and fans treat players (see Marner). Vegas got an expansion draft benefit no other team had ever seen before, and they used it perfectly (something Seattle absolutely failed at doing). Even Dallas, who took a discount to be there? Seguin is almost $10 mil. Their young guys are on big contracts. You might try to argue Duchene, but he went on a nothing deal cause he was considered washed, revitalized in Dallas, and took less cap hit for a much longer term. And he didn't do it til they proved to be cup contenders. Hence why nobody ever signed for cheap in Arizona. Or why nobody in Nashville is taking discounts now. Also weird nobody said a thing about taxes when Crosby resigned in Pittsburg for way less than he gets on the open market.

The only reason taxes come up is because Canada journalists cannot handle southern teams succeeding. They need some reason that players may not want to play up north.