It's actually more speculative to say he wants to play for his hometown team. It's a claim that requires proof that nobody seems to be able to provide. It's assuming he's a child. I'm sure he dreamed of buying an endless supply of toys when he was a kid too, doesn't mean he does that now because things change.
- Unholy_Goalie

That's a ridiculous comparison. His favorite team growing up was the Leafs. This isn't speculation, it's fact.

He probably dreamed not just of making the NHL, but playing for the Leafs for most of his life before he was drafted.

Not all dreams just disappear when you grow up. Not when you actually have a chance to fulfill them.

P.S. He now makes enough money to buy all the toys he wants, only now they're probably cars, or different hockey equipment, or something else.

And in Tampa Bay, he'd make 48.7 million USD which is still even more Canadian dollars.

Any way you cut it or exchange it, it's still more money in his pocket in Tampa Bay or Dallas or Long Island.

He's still losing money signing in Toronto. If his intention is to live in Toronto and retire in Toronto, he'd still be better off with the extra 12 million USD in his pocket.
- Unholy_Goalie

Not really considering he loses it to taxes since hes still Canadian. Our tax system works on world wide income. The treaties ensure it's been reported. Hes most likely been filing Canadian tax returns since he was drafted and paying some tax anyway. ( especially since athletes are paid in the city/state/province they worked in and thus pay taxes for those amounts. Which is why some states/cities have "entertainer" taxes)

48 million in Tampa or 43 million in Toronto. Both after tax. It likely isn't as big a factor as you make it out to be and you're purely speculating that it is.

It doesn't necessarily work out that easily. He'd have to convert his US dollars to Canadian dollars and that isn't free. He'll lose money on that alone. A lot of Canadian products come from the US and are taxed and marked up. Again, depending where he lives, the cost a living makes a big difference. He doesn't necessarily save money by living in Canada year round. And he lived in Long Island, not Manhattan. There's a significant difference in cost of living.

NHLPA couldn't do poop if players wanted to sign for league minimum. It doesn't happen because players are always trying to maximize their earnings because they're human beings who lose half of what they earn in taxes and only have a small window of opportunity to earn money for their skills. 5 million matters because it's still 5 million. I could buy the argument in a Ray Bourque situation but usually when players take a pay cut to win, they lose and don't make that money back and they'll most likely regret it. That's why they have agents who are hired to maximize their dollars whether it's 100 or 105 million, they're going for the max.
- Unholy_Goalie

You're just pullin poop outta your ass and you obviously have no clue what you're tallking about so why don't you just do everyone a favor and STFU about money?

You're just pullin poop outta your ass and you obviously have no clue what you're tallking about so why don't you just do everyone a favor and STFU about money?
- LeftCoaster

yessssss

That's a ridiculous comparison. His favorite team growing up was the Leafs. This isn't speculation, it's fact.

He probably dreamed not just of making the NHL, but playing for the Leafs for most of his life before he was drafted.

Not all dreams just disappear when you grow up. Not when you actually have a chance to fulfill them.
- Thecakeisalie

preach it brother!!

Its going to come down to staying in the Island, or coming home to Toronto.

I am predicting he is a Leaf July 1.

Im going to base this on the loud mouthed pork chops I know that know his extended family and what they say about him: JT is all about his family and being close to them is important to him.

I dont think he cares about tax crap. Only you do UG.
- mel_vin

Then why is he talking to Dallas?

He doesn't have to give up his family and friends, that's what the offseason and retirement are for. Unless somebody can provide proof that his wife is a demanding woman who absolutely must be in Toronto at all costs, being in Toronto year round seems unnecessary in the face of more money and playing for a better team with less pressure.

That's a ridiculous comparison. His favorite team growing up was the Leafs. This isn't speculation, it's fact.
- Thecakeisalie

That doesn't automatically mean he's willing to throw away more money, on a better team to play for the Leafs. It also doesn't mean he hasn't learned something since he was 10 years old. You think he knew the pitfalls of crazy fans and media at 10? I bet you he does now.

He probably dreamed not just of making the NHL, but playing for the Leafs for most of his life before he was drafted.

Probably? That's a big assumption.

Not all dreams just disappear when you grow up. Not when you actually have a chance to fulfill them.

P.S. He now makes enough money to buy all the toys he wants, only now they're probably cars, or different hockey equipment, or something else.

The dream that stuck is most likely winning the Cup and the odds of that are better on other teams involved. And yes, he can buy all the toys he wants, adult sized toys if he so chooses but he'll be able to buy more of those toys if he doesn't play for the Leafs.

[quote=Unholy_Goalie]

Let's not worry about pre salary cap era contracts. Different rules and world.

Show me in the CBA where I'm wrong.

Then why is he talking to Dallas?

He doesn't have to give up his family and friends, that's what the offseason and retirement are for. Unless somebody can provide proof that his wife is a demanding woman who absolutely must be in Toronto at all costs, being in Toronto year round seems unnecessary in the face of more money and playing for a better team with less pressure.
- Unholy_Goalie

Just give it a (frank)ing rest. You’re wrong about the taxes, the Leafs not having a chance, and about hometown discounts.

preach it brother!!


- mel_vin

I mean, really, his whole "mentality of a child"/"dreams change" crap is just bullpoop.

What about every actor/actress, musician, astronaut, etc that dreamed of being that as a kid and eventually managed to do just that? Are they childish for following through on dreams they had when they were still kids?

yessssss
- twiztedmike

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I'm a USD earner who lives in Canada so I'm familiar with the process, on a much lower scale however.

Anyway it's been a slice Eugene. Have a good night and be prepared for all the "told you so" when Tavares signs as a Leaf or in the expensive state of California.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I'm a USD earner who lives in Canada so I'm familiar with the process, on a much lower scale however.
- LeftCoaster

Don’t be.

Then why is he talking to Dallas?

He doesn't have to give up his family and friends, that's what the offseason and retirement are for. Unless somebody can provide proof that his wife is a demanding woman who absolutely must be in Toronto at all costs, being in Toronto year round seems unnecessary in the face of more money and playing for a better team with less pressure.
- Unholy_Goalie

JT is not married AFAIK. Girlfriend yes.
JT loves his family.
Hockey schedule is hard. he is not leaving the east cause of the above point.
He is listening cause he's earned every right to.
Shanny has a planny
Boy Genius makes his first major splash as GM, gives him credibility.
JT will be a leaf July 1.



oh and I forgot, since you love this one so much: ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!!!

Not really considering he loses it to taxes since hes still Canadian. Our tax system works on world wide income. The treaties ensure it's been reported. Hes most likely been filing Canadian tax returns since he was drafted and paying some tax anyway. ( especially since athletes are paid in the city/state/province they worked in and thus pay taxes for those amounts. Which is why some states/cities have "entertainer" taxes)

48 million in Tampa or 43 million in Toronto. Both after tax. It likely isn't as big a factor as you make it out to be and you're purely speculating that it is.
- Aaron_85

Not a Canadian resident. You know damn well if a Canadian player wanted to avoid paying those Canadian taxes, there are ways to get around them or to reduce them to a level that yields him more money by playing in the US than in Canada. When he plays in Toronto on the road, he pays those taxes but that's a lot different than playing in Toronto 41 times a year.

Money is kind of a big deal. That's not speculation.

That doesn't automatically mean he's willing to throw away more money, on a better team to play for the Leafs. It also doesn't mean he hasn't learned something since he was 10 years old. You think he knew the pitfalls of crazy fans and media at 10? I bet you he does now.
- Unholy_Goalie

Sure he would've learned a few things to temper expectations. This doesn't mean the dream is dead.

Probably? That's a big assumption.
- Unholy_Goalie

How is that possibly a big assumption? He loved the Leafs, and loved playing hockey. Of course he would've imagined playing in the NHL and why would he possibly stop there and imagine himself playing for a different team other than his favorite? Do you think he dreamed of playing for the Sharks?

The dream that stuck is most likely winning the Cup and the odds of that are better on other teams involved. And yes, he can buy all the toys he wants, adult sized toys if he so chooses but he'll be able to buy more of those toys if he doesn't play for the Leafs.
- Unholy_Goalie

While he might have a better chance winning a cup in Tampa, he has a decent chance of winning one in Toronto, definitely at the moment, better odds than he does of winning in Long Island.

JT is not married AFAIK. Girlfriend yes.
JT loves his family.
Hockey schedule is hard. he is not leaving the east cause of the above point.
He is listening cause he's earned every right to.
Shanny has a planny
Boy Genius makes his first major splash as GM, gives him credibility.
JT will be a leaf July 1.


- mel_vin

God, I hope he isn’t. This division is hard enough with Buffalo and Florida actually getting some poop done now. (frank)ing still have Boston and Tampa at the top and now you guys getting JT would be the icing on the proverbial cake. Thank god Bergy and Dorion are the worst things to ever happen to their respective franchises.

Let's not worry about pre salary cap era contracts. Different rules and world.

Show me in the CBA where I'm wrong.
- Aaron_85

11.17 Currency. All SPCs must provide for compensation in U.S. Currency for
Paragraph 1 NHL Salary and Bonuses. Minor League compensation may be in the
Native Currency of the NHL Club.

Not a Canadian resident. You know damn well if a Canadian player wanted to avoid paying those Canadian taxes, there are ways to get around them or to reduce them to a level that yields him more money by playing in the US than in Canada. When he plays in Toronto on the road, he pays those taxes but that's a lot different than playing in Toronto 41 times a year.

Money is kind of a big deal. That's not speculation.
- Unholy_Goalie

Absolutely agree...anyone who says Tavares is not considering / concerned with the tax situation is fooling themselves, it's certainly a factor in this, but not the main factor. Just my opinion!

JT is not married AFAIK. Girlfriend yes.
JT loves his family.
Hockey schedule is hard. he is not leaving the east cause of the above point.
He is listening cause he's earned every right to.
Shanny has a planny
Boy Genius makes his first major splash as GM, gives him credibility.
JT will be a leaf July 1.



oh and I forgot, since you love this one so much: ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!!!
- mel_vin

So again, why bother talk to San Jose and Dallas if he isn't going West and doesn't care about maximizing his money in regards to Dallas?

I hope he does but I wouldn't put money on it.

So again, why bother talk to San Jose and Dallas if he isn't going West and doesn't care about maximizing his money in regards to Dallas?

I hope he does but I wouldn't put money on it.
- Unholy_Goalie

WTF else is he doing now. He earned the right. why not.

C'mon UG, you know it happening, stop fighting it, say it with me:

he will be a leaf July 1

God, I hope he isn’t. This division is hard enough with Buffalo and Florida actually getting some poop done now. (frank)ing still have Boston and Tampa at the top and now you guys getting JT would be the icing on the proverbial cake. Thank god Bergy and Dorion are the worst things to ever happen to their respective franchises.
- RafiDRW

At least you guys snatched some highly rated prospects at the draft. Zadina might turn out to be a real coup for you guys and I know a lot of people were high on Veleno too.

Suck for a few years and stock high ranked picks and you guys could be a real good team again before you know it.

WTF else is he doing now. He earned the right. why not.

C'mon UG, you know it happening, stop fighting it, say it with me:

he will be a leaf July 1


- mel_vin

Absolutely agree...anyone who says Tavares is not considering / concerned with the tax situation is fooling themselves, it's certainly a factor in this, but not the main factor. Just my opinion!
- LeftCoaster

If it's taking money out of his pocket, it's a big factor. 12 million USD difference from the Leafs and the Lightning. Plus the fact that the Lightning are legit contenders.

At least you guys snatched some highly rated prospects at the draft. Zadina might turn out to be a real coup for you guys and I know a lot of people were high on Veleno too.

Suck for a few years and stock high ranked picks and you guys could be a real good team again before you know it.
- Thecakeisalie

Oh, myself and every other Wings fan knows this. Problem is, higher ups in the organization might not. Rumors of resigning Vanek, Green and (frank)ing Filpulla abound.