Comments for July 2, 2012 at http://hockey.dobbersports.com , comment 1 to 8 out of 8 comments http://hockey.dobbersports.com Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:56:06 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4735-july-2-2012#comment-21602 jer 33 Sorry, the 1% pay a lot more taxes than you're made to believe by activists and Occupiers of all stripes. Tax shelters doesn't help that much... It's true that the sponsorships might be better in Canada, but for most players it probably doesn't add much to their salaries, except for the stars... - Anze Tue, 03 Jul 2012 02:44:39 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4735-july-2-2012#comment-21585 The first I became aware of the 'Taxes Issue', was back when Pavel Bure signed in Florida. Not surprisingly, Florida and Montreal were the comparison at that time. Now that's a while ago, but at the time Montreal had to pay him about twice as much money to put the same cash in his pocket. The biggest difference at that time, was the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar. The dollar figures don't ring clearly in my head, but Montreal needed to ante up $25.0M to Florida's 10.0M (something along those lines) (22.5 to 12.0 - whatever). Roughly speaking, a Canadian dollar was worth 65 cents. Although not on par today, this is much closer. So... these players signing the big UFA contracts will be considering the element of taxes. A town like Montreal is in a lot of trouble when one adds in taxes, language/culture, weather, media/public pressure. The only compensation for them, is that it's a hockey hot bed, so some players would like to return home to play - thereby fulfilling a childhood dream. Not so much so a situation that helps the sunbelt teams. The taxes are actually a bit of a sticking point between the owners. Something to squabble about. So, ultimately, the level playing field isn't perfectly level. No surprise in that thought! - JHM Mon, 02 Jul 2012 06:30:03 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4735-july-2-2012#comment-21584 Not only do Floridian's not pay state income tax; but a million dollar home next to the Bank Atlantic center where the Panthers play buys you a substantial home, as opposed to a duplex in Toronto. I suspect Brodeur wasn't leaving NJ at any rate, he simply let the market dictate what NJ should be paying him. - outcast Mon, 02 Jul 2012 06:09:34 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4735-july-2-2012#comment-21581 [b]After Tax Dollars Part II[/b] I'm probably a little biased being a Winnipegger, but I'm curious how the comparisons stack up if you were to put in quality of life measures (i.e. - cost of housing in Winnipeg is substantially lower than Vancouver/Toronto/NY/LA/etc.). Of course, that comparison only works if the player makes the city their year round home, and even then, most players will have a summer home elsewhere. But it is a factor nonetheless. - Steviek35 Mon, 02 Jul 2012 05:00:43 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4735-july-2-2012#comment-21580 You really think that an NHL player/agents are dumb enough to pay full tax? These guys are the 1%, they know how to work the CDN/US tax services. Also, any Canadian market would offer significant sponsorship opportunities to far exceed the tax savings of playing in the sunbelt. - jer_33 Mon, 02 Jul 2012 04:59:21 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4735-july-2-2012#comment-21578 That is why some teams always "overpay" ( that plus sheer stupidity ). If Montreal wants a 4M player, they have to give 5M,since 4M will leave you 2.46 in Florida but only 2 in MTL. MTL has to pay 5M to leave you with 2.5. If you think the players don't know, think again. With agents, lawyers, accountants... they know. Look how much it costs MTL to attract Hamrlik, Gionta, Cole... - Anze Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:23:26 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4735-july-2-2012#comment-21576 See [url=http://www.patriotledger.com/sports/pros/x1222859638/Boston-Bruins-re-sign-goalie-Tuukka-Rask-get-prospect-Alexander-Khokhlachev-under-contract?zc_p=1]this report[/url] Khokhlachev will honor his 1-year contract with his dad's team in Russia then come over to the fight for an NHL spot. The Bruins' depth made it unlikely that he makes the team this year, he is ineligible for the AHL, and he felt his development would be better served playing against men in the KHL than playing a third OHL season. What the article doesn't say, but I am wondering/suspecting, is whether he is on loan to Moscow or not. This matters in case he comes to play in the AHL (or even NHL) at the end of the KHL season next spring. If he's on loan, that eats up a contract year. If he's not on loan then the possibility is open for him to play in the AHL on an ATO without eating up the year. (Of course, all this is per the expiring CBA; who knows what the new one brings) - fzusher Sun, 01 Jul 2012 19:36:24 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4735-july-2-2012#comment-21574 sens agreed with Prince like 2 weeks ago. just made it official today. i.e. sign here, basically, since he is in town for camp. - Big Ev Sun, 01 Jul 2012 18:49:28 +0100