Ryan Wilson: Nikita Kucherov one of the best values of salary cap era Nikita Kucherov one of the best values of salary cap era

Something really needs to be done with Texas and Florida teams. The advantage gained by not having state income tax isnt fair to other teams in league, especially when trying to lure FAs. I understand Kuch isn't a FA, but it's not like he signed an extension at that $$ because Yzermaan is some sort of magician.

Some formula must be factored in on contracts for teams who operate in non state tax states . He would be getting 11 mill anywhere else.

Agreed. It's 9.5M, which is really closer to 10.5M or 11M...wonder if the at-home vs away games have different salaries, to take even more advantage?

oh please. He would've been the best value had they gone 8 years initially. He is worth what he is getting now

I thought for sure he was going to tax them on this contract.

That being said, I don't know if this is a value deal or a fair market deal. He is better than guys like Toews, Eichel & Tavares, but I think those are more overpay/bad deals than anything. His last contract though, that was a massive value for TB.

Something really needs to be done with Texas and Florida teams. The advantage gained by not having state income tax isnt fair to other teams in league, especially when trying to lure FAs. I understand Kuch isn't a FA, but it's not like he signed an extension at that $$ because Yzermaan is some sort of magician.

Some formula must be factored in on contracts for teams who operate in non state tax states . He would be getting 11 mill anywhere else.
- rrentz

Not sure it is the income tax as much as it is the cost of living. A home in NY, same size home same size land would cost a ton more compared to Tampa. Kucherov gets the benefit of playing 41 games in Tampa, so there is a little bit of money saved there but not sure it is that much to drive the difference. Kucherov can buy a fantastic home for $3m where in NY it would cost $8m is a bigger difference.

Not sure it is the income tax as much as it is the cost of living. A home in NY, same size home same size land would cost a ton more compared to Tampa. Kucherov gets the benefit of playing 41 games in Tampa, so there is a little bit of money saved there but not sure it is that much to drive the difference. Kucherov can buy a fantastic home for $3m where in NY it would cost $8m is a bigger difference.
- Kucherovski

That is true as well. Over eight years...you are talking about millions in savings..both on I come tax and cost of living

That is true as well. Over eight years...you are talking about millions in savings..both on I come tax and cost of living
- rrentz

I agree, over 8 years I could see Kucheov saving $8m or so on state income tax savings but cost of living way more. The thing is that's a moving target, there is no way the NHL could adjust for that. The cost of living in Tampa was very low years ago but it's slowly creeping up each year, can't account for that really.

I agree, over 8 years I could see Kucheov saving $8m or so on state income tax savings but cost of living way more. The thing is that's a moving target, there is no way the NHL could adjust for that. The cost of living in Tampa was very low years ago but it's slowly creeping up each year, can't account for that really.
- Kucherovski

Athletes in Florida can buy a mansion and afford to turn it into a compound with solid brick walls and barbed wire to keep the old people and crazies out.

Something really needs to be done with Texas and Florida teams.
- rrentz

Yeah, but then those players have to live in Texas or Florida, which is its own form of punishment.

I agree, over 8 years I could see Kucheov saving $8m or so on state income tax savings but cost of living way more. The thing is that's a moving target, there is no way the NHL could adjust for that. The cost of living in Tampa was very low years ago but it's slowly creeping up each year, can't account for that really.
- Kucherovski

I get no " fixing" cost of living issue. Same goes for Columbus, or Arizone, etc..but state tax differences is an easy fix. Just add 8% to each contract

Something really needs to be done with Texas and Florida teams. The advantage gained by not having state income tax isnt fair to other teams in league, especially when trying to lure FAs. I understand Kuch isn't a FA, but it's not like he signed an extension at that $$ because Yzermaan is some sort of magician.

Some formula must be factored in on contracts for teams who operate in non state tax states . He would be getting 11 mill anywhere else.
- rrentz

Or the rest of the country can get on board. Its not fair to the people that live in those states like NJ/NY/CA to be forced to pay those taxes.

I do believe there is a "Jock" tax where you pay a small portion of taxes everywhere you play.

I get no " fixing" cost of living issue. Same goes for Columbus, or Arizone, etc..but state tax differences is an easy fix. Just add 8% to each contract
- rrentz

You can't really, Kucherov only gets a tax discount for the 41 home games he plays, the others he pays the same state taxes as everyone else. It's really not that much.

The extent of my knowledge of sports agents is Jerry McGuire. But couldn’t Kucherov have said, “hey, I really want to stay in TB, so I don’t mind taking a mil less”.

Or the rest of the country can get on board. Its not fair to the people that live in those states like NJ/NY/CA to be forced to pay those taxes.

I do believe there is a "Jock" tax where you pay a small portion of taxes everywhere you play.
- sammy87

That is correct, when a player plays a road game they are taxed that states and cities income tax for the money they made while playing their road games there since that is where they earned that income.

You can't adjust contracts for teams that don't have to pay state income taxes. It is an ancillary benefit to playing in that city, just like playing in NYC or LA has ancillary benefits such as more potential endorsement money.

Something really needs to be done with Texas and Florida teams. The advantage gained by not having state income tax isnt fair to other teams in league, especially when trying to lure FAs. I understand Kuch isn't a FA, but it's not like he signed an extension at that $$ because Yzermaan is some sort of magician.

Some formula must be factored in on contracts for teams who operate in non state tax states . He would be getting 11 mill anywhere else.
- rrentz

I'm pretty sure that would be hugely illegal, to dock someone's negotiated salary because of the state they live in....not to mention the players would never agree to that in the next CBA

EDIT: and it's not just the states you mention. Tennessee, Nevada, and Washington (if Seattle gets a team) also do not have state income tax.

ill raise you a Victor Hedman at an AAV of 7.8 mil...

You can't really, Kucherov only gets a tax discount for the 41 home games he plays, the others he pays the same state taxes as everyone else. It's really not that much.
- kucherovi

You are talking about 41 days out of 365 days in a calendar year. It ends up being an insignificant amount.

Its a lot less than you guys make it sound like.

First these guys don't care about costs of living. Once you are making over $5 million a year its not a big deal and you go to the place based on lifestyle.

I don't know Canadian tax rates. If we exclude Cali/NY and realize the tax savings is only on half the games then florida is really only offering an edge of going from a 4-5% state tax rate to a 0% florida rate. On $10 million for half the games thats only 250k.

Its a lot less than you guys make it sound like.

First these guys don't care about costs of living. Once you are making over $5 million a year its not a big deal and you go to the place based on lifestyle.

I don't know Canadian tax rates. If we exclude Cali/NY and realize the tax savings is only on half the games then florida is really only offering an edge of going from a 4-5% state tax rate to a 0% florida rate. On $10 million for half the games thats only 250k.
- sditulli

He's not getting paid over 82 games, he's getting paid over 365 days in a year, 41 of which he would be taxed by a different state.

Even if you were right with your 250k number, over 8 years that is $2 Million.

Its a lot less than you guys make it sound like.

First these guys don't care about costs of living. Once you are making over $5 million a year its not a big deal and you go to the place based on lifestyle.

I don't know Canadian tax rates. If we exclude Cali/NY and realize the tax savings is only on half the games then florida is really only offering an edge of going from a 4-5% state tax rate to a 0% florida rate. On $10 million for half the games thats only 250k.
- sditulli

If youre earning as much as NHL players its pretty much 50%

Anyone who makes 200000 a year to basically workout, hang with their buddies and play hockey is blessed. Does anyone talk about hockey anymore? It’s lije everyone wants to be an accountant/GM these days. Kucherov probably just likes it in Tampa and thought 9.5 million to not move and still be part of a contending team isn’t bad. F it.

That is correct, when a player plays a road game they are taxed that states and cities income tax for the money they made while playing their road games there since that is where they earned that income.

You can't adjust contracts for teams that don't have to pay state income taxes. It is an ancillary benefit to playing in that city, just like playing in NYC or LA has ancillary benefits such as more potential endorsement money.
- bchiaro

When Toronto was trying to sign Stamkos a few years back, they brought in sponsors to try to show him how much extra he could make with endorsements. So if someone advocates factoring in taxes, they would also need to factor in endorsement money.

Anyone who makes 200000 a year to basically workout, hang with their buddies and play hockey is blessed. Does anyone talk about hockey anymore? It’s lije everyone wants to be an accountant/GM these days. Kucherov probably just likes it in Tampa and thought 9.5 million to not move and still be part of a contending team isn’t bad. F it.
- Grinder47

This is a hockey forum right?

Anyone who makes 200000 a year to basically workout, hang with their buddies and play hockey is blessed. Does anyone talk about hockey anymore? It’s lije everyone wants to be an accountant/GM these days. Kucherov probably just likes it in Tampa and thought 9.5 million to not move and still be part of a contending team isn’t bad. F it.
- Grinder47

Bringing in a salary cap made the money/business side much more important and some people really enjoy projecting salaries or contracts and discussing them.

To each their own, man.