On Steven Stamkos …
- Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times: Steven Stamkos is saying the right things. The Tampa Bay Lightning are saying the right things. The Toronto Maple Leafs are not saying anything. Stamkos signing with the Maple Leafs “makes perfect sense.”The Leafs have the money for a star, they don’t have one, and are looking to rebuild around one.The Leafs will be interested, but will Stamkos want to play in a huge market like Toronto?
And Stamkos might actually want to play in Toronto. We’re talking about his hometown. When you’re born and raised in Toronto, nothing is bigger than the Maple Leafs. Most hockey-playing kids grow up wanting to play there. What makes us think Stamkos is any different?
Is the Lightning closer to a Stanley Cup than Toronto? Maybe today. But fortunes can change very quickly in the NHL, and it seems unlikely that today’s standings would play a meaningful role in a decision that could have the greatest impact on his career and life.
Money will play a role in any Stamkos decision. The Lightning will sell the no state income tax in Florida. Endorsement opportunities would be bigger in Toronto, and potentially other cities.
- Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: (there’s some good info on how players get paid – worth checking out) Looking at the tax implications of the $8.5 million offer for Steven Stamkos, with the help of sports tax guru Robert Raiola.Florida has no state taxes. It would take $10 million in New York to net about the same in Florida. Stamkos would net about $500,000 less per year in St. Louis or Detroit, but would take home more over the term of the contract.In Toronto, there is a 53.53 percent federal/provincial tax for a Canadian resident. If the Maple Leafs offered $10 million a year, it would be $7 million less over the length of the contract.
The Lightning will be selling the no tax to Stamkos, as they did to Ryan Callahan.
“In my mind it’s a factor you always look at,” said Callahan’s agent, Steven Bartlett. “I know some of the big stars get hung up on the number because it’s almost an egotistical thing — and I’m not saying it’s this way with Stamkos. I’m just saying a guy feels like, ‘He gets 10 (million), I need 10 (million). I need nine just to validate.’ But if you’re smart you realize, ‘I have to run the calculation.’ It isn’t always just the number that’s thrown out there that’s the real number.
“And, believe me, the teams that have the advantage are more than willing to point that out to you, too.”
