The Leafs should play them like it's Game 7 of the Finals, just to be Richards.
- Zezel

I'm kinda pissed because the Metro is one giant clusterfrank - it's going to be exciting to watch, right up until the final buzzer of the season.

Tampa vs. Boston is still a dog fight.

We have nothing left to care about.

Some good games tonight;

Pittsburgh - Columbus
Boston - Florida
Nashville - Washington
Colorado - San Jose
- PatC80

Boston vs Florida should be spicy.

Some good games tonight;

Pittsburgh - Columbus
Boston - Florida
Nashville - Washington
Colorado - San Jose
- PatC80

If the Leafs, Canes, Pens and Panthers win tonight, game #82 for a the wild-card race will be INTENSE.

The West will be good just for STL and COL. Dallas doesn't deserve a spot

Boston vs Florida should be spicy.
- AdamFrench

Philly's final two games are against soft opponents.

I'm afraid Florida will run out of runway.

Yes.

Basically have your financial planner make investments or other financial moves that mean you don't pay taxes on that income until later - when your income is lower (i.e., after you retire and you can't get a job at a car wash).
- Atomic Wedgie

Thats cool and all. But why would I want to do that if I can just get my money now at a lower tax rate

Boston vs Florida should be spicy.
- AdamFrench

Same with Pitt vs. CBJ.. Good battle for 2nd in the Metro.

Philly's final two games are against soft opponents.

I'm afraid Florida will run out of runway.
- Atomic Wedgie

Not looking good for them.

Thats cool and all. But why would I want to do that if I can just get my money now at a lower tax rate
- senstroll

I agree with Senstroll on this one... Why play in a big market, to get taxed more?

It's been suggested, that most players would rather wither away into obscurity in Florida or Dallas.

I don't want Polak to get hurt.. Just think he should be the only one to attempt a shot block. I don't want Rielly, Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Kadri, or even Gardiner attempt to block a shot.
- PatC80

Everyone needs to block shots...part of the game, but I get what you're saying.

Here's another good one:

http://probballreport.com...ax-in-toronto-blown-away/
- Atomic Wedgie

its not as big as a lot of people make it out to be (UG), but in the example here

We computed the tax bill for the point guard on a $12 million per year contract. Our point guard is going to pay approximately $5.92 million in taxes and social security payments per year on his contract. For comparative purposes, had that player signed with the Rockets or Heat, he would have only paid $5.12 million in taxes and social security.

thats 800k in my pocket for 1 year?
That seems substantial

OK, here goes:

Income deferral is not a legitimate strategy for Leafs, because MLSEL will continue to hand out absurd, end-of-life contracts to all its players.

It's hard to defer income when you will be making $8 million a year, playing until you are 45 years old.

Plus, something about Canadian Tire.

In short, we are franked.

Salary cap hell.

Robbie Earl.

Plan the parade.

1967.
- Atomic Wedgie

That's better. Also star athletes despise attention and will do anything to avoid being worshipped by millions.

Not looking good for them.
- AdamFrench

If Philly takes 1 loss out of their last two FLA can control their destiny. It'll be real tough but I'd love to see them make a push for it.

I'm kinda pissed because the Metro is one giant clusterfrank - it's going to be exciting to watch, right up until the final buzzer of the season.

Tampa vs. Boston is still a dog fight.

We have nothing left to care about.
- Atomic Wedgie

We'll always have tax debates.

I agree with Senstroll on this one... Why play in a big market, to get taxed more?

It's been suggested, that most players would rather wither away into obscurity in Florida or Dallas.
- PatC80

meh..thats a player by player personal thing. some do some dont

Thats cool and all. But why would I want to do that if I can just get my money now at a lower tax rate
- senstroll

I'm old, fat, stupid, and a terrible hockey player.

So take my opinion for what it is worth.

But if I had the choice of bringing Stanley home to Toronto or bringing Stanley to Sunrise, Florida, there would be no choice at all. I'd be wearing blue and white.

It means more here. For some players, that's something.

And the whole thing about players in Toronto being hounded is totally overblown.

Yes, the press are idiots. But that's manageable - it ends when you step out of the ACC.

Ask the players - for the most part, Toronto fans are very respectful of the personal privacy of their players.

And there are perqs that come with being a Toronto player.

I had to stop backreading after Uggie argued with himself for 7 straight posts.



He seems to have the answer for everything hockey and non hockey...he's gotta be Trump.
- Garnie

I think UG is actually Howard Berger - without having taken his prescription meds.

Everyone needs to block shots...part of the game, but I get what you're saying.


- Garnie

I'm even ok with Frederik Andersen avoiding getting hit with the puck, or any sort of contact.... Don't want him to get hit in the head again

its not as big as a lot of people make it out to be (UG), but in the example here



thats 800k in my pocket for 1 year?
That seems substantial
- senstroll

Depending on the player, you would easily make that up in endorsement deals, and etc in larger markets.

Either way, its really not as big a deal as has been made out. The reason the Leafs didnt get good free agents is because they have been a badly run team. Thats changed, so if someone like Tavares gets to July 1, you can bet the Leafs will be in the running.

Just because i'm a lazy (frank), can somebody please lay out the possible scenarios for which team the Leafs will play in playoffs?

Just because i'm a lazy (frank), can somebody please lay out the possible scenarios for which team the Leafs will play in playoffs?
- JSC

Scenario 1: Tampa Bay Lightning (70%)
Scenario 2: Boston Bruins (30%)

its not as big as a lot of people make it out to be (UG), but in the example here



thats 800k in my pocket for 1 year?
That seems substantial
- senstroll

That's if you do your taxes with TurboTax.

If you have a proper financial planner, you can pretty much come out even.

I have a friend who is a financial planner. He manages the money for a former NHL player - now broadcaster (yes, you know the guy).

Early in his career - at the request of the player (heavily influenced by his father), the guy set up his financial portfolio as a sort of blind trust. Money flows into his financial planner - and the (now-ex) player gets an allowance. Not a franking penny more.

Player says it was the greatest thing he has ever done, because from that day forward, he has never worried about money. And the dude has done very well (thanks in part to my friend). He maximizes his earnings, minimizes his taxes, and has a secure nest egg that will last him for the rest of his life - and sets up his children fairly well.

Just because i'm a lazy (frank), can somebody please lay out the possible scenarios for which team the Leafs will play in playoffs?
- JSC

Tampa or Boston

Then

Tampa/Boston or Philly/FLA/NJ (I think?)

I'm old, fat, stupid, and a terrible hockey player.

So take my opinion for what it is worth.

But if I had the choice of bringing Stanley home to Toronto or bringing Stanley to Sunrise, Florida, there would be no choice at all. I'd be wearing blue and white.

It means more here. For some players, that's something.

And the whole thing about players in Toronto being hounded is totally overblown.

Yes, the press are idiots. But that's manageable - it ends when you step out of the ACC.

Ask the players - for the most part, Toronto fans are very respectful of the personal privacy of their players.

And there are perqs that come with being a Toronto player.
- Atomic Wedgie

completely agree.

I lived in downtown Toronto during the early 90s... when the Jays were winning and the Leafs came back to life. Several of the players lived in the same condo building.

They often chatted at their initiation, no one harassed them.. maybe the odd little kid ... used to frequent the bars along Queens Quay... people would smile at the players, or give a little wave or thumbs up.

The harassment is a bi-product of the media - nothing more. And the media at that time contained more than a handful of jerks...

I'm even ok with Frederik Andersen avoiding getting hit with the puck, or any sort of contact.... Don't want him to get hit in the head again
- PatC80

Just to be safe, maybe tonight Freddie should stand behind the net.

meh..thats a player by player personal thing. some do some dont
- senstroll

I prefaced with 'it's been suggested'

But what we know so far is that; Luongo, Barkov, Stamkos, Hedman, Seguin, Benn Doughty, the entire Panthers, Hurricanes and Golden Knights organization and now Tavares.