Speculation: 2024-25 - Free Agency/Trade Thread

[Gliff]

6% is 6%. You can act like it’s nothing all you want, but it isn’t. No one is saying it’s the main reason high profile players don’t come here. But it IS one of many factors

Of course it is. Just like the weather, chance to win, teamates, coach, where their wife wants to live, etc.

 

[91Fedorov]

I just dont understand how the Kings have been able to sign so many FA's these last couple of years when taxes are so high in California.

Are they doing something illegal or what?

No, like many here are saying, the taxes aren't as big of a deal as some are making them out to be. Players aren't signing with the Ducks because we're not competitive and we haven't shown signs of turning the corner yet. But the Kings have been competitive in the past couple years.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

No, like many here are saying, the taxes aren't as big of a deal as some are making them out to be. Players aren't signing with the Ducks because we're not competitive and we haven't shown signs of turning the corner yet. But the Kings have been competitive in the past couple years.

That and im sure there is some under the table deals going on.. Kings Franchise is shady af

 

[Hockey Duckie]

No, like many here are saying, the taxes aren't as big of a deal as some are making them out to be. Players aren't signing with the Ducks because we're not competitive and we haven't shown signs of turning the corner yet. But the Kings have been competitive in the past couple years.

@Sniperberg was being sarcastic. At least, that was how I interpreted it.

 

[Static]

I know kylington is smaller and another LD, but I wouldn't mind signing him as our number six and moving Lacombe for a forward.

 

[91Fedorov]

View attachment 894418

Every year, about this time... God I can't wait for the season to start.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Every year, about this time... God I can't wait for the season to start.

So we can bitch and complain again? We all just want hockey

 

[GermanRocket7]

I don't know about US taxation system, but in all honesty: the average of taxation in Germany is around 45% and with so-called "progression", people might even pay up to 70% in taxes. I know for a fact that I had some 57% deductions in taxes due to double-taxing on Christmas benefits a few years ago. So, what exactly is the problem with Cali taxes and why are people so obsessed with it?

 

[Arthuros]

I don't know about US taxation system, but in all honesty: the average of taxation in Germany is around 45% and with so-called "progression", people might even pay up to 70% in taxes. I know for a fact that I had some 57% deductions in taxes due to double-taxing on Christmas benefits a few years ago. So, what exactly is the problem with Cali taxes and why are people so obsessed with it?

Taxation rates differ significantly by states. Florida for example doesn't have any state taxes, so they only have a federal portion to pay.

If you want to talk about how higher tax is supposed to translate to better standards of living for the average person living in that state due to more spending by the state government on things like infrastructure, that's a different discussion.

If you want to talk about how the above actually manifests itself in reality, that's also a different discussion.

 

[All Mighty]

Outside of Danault, have the Kings really made any notable free agent signings recently? Almost all of their significant acquisitions have been through trades.

 

[70sSanO]

This is OT for the Ducks, but I wonder if Florida made any attempt to sign Marchessault instead of Reinhart.

While there is a significant age difference, there is also a significant salary difference.

I’m thinking the Marchessault pedigree of hard nose play would fit in well with the Maurice led Cats.

John

 

[Static]

Podkolzin would be another target for me. Id be kind of surprised if he is on Vancouver's roster to start the year.

 

[70sSanO]

Outside of Danault, have the Kings really made any notable free agent signings recently? Almost all of their significant acquisitions have been through trades.

The PLD extension is the only thing close. And that disaster would indicate the Kings are no longer a destination.

The Kings drafted well and made stellar trades at right time. Not sure if a Gabotik or Carter types are walking through that door; and they were trades. I think they did well with their re-signings and extensions when they were on top.

In some ways I think Blake was trying to pull a Lombardi when we got an underperforming PLD.

John

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I know kylington is smaller and another LD, but I wouldn't mind signing him as our number six and moving Lacombe for a forward.

I'd like to hold onto LaCombe for at least another season so he can improve his draft capital if we're planning on trading him. His first year in the NHL doesn't show much on the surface when taken as a whole. In doing the splits, LaCombe improved throughout the season, both offensively and defensively.

LaCombe	2023-24
Game Set	Games	G	A	Pts		+/-	Hits	Blocks	Comments
Total	71	2	15	17		-24	50	129	Total
1 to 20	20	0	3	3		-16	18	28	1st pair for 14 games
21 to 40	20	0	4	4		-7	14	41	1st to 3rd pair
41 to 71	31	2	8	10		-1	18	60	1st to 3rd pair

The better the draft capital, the better the return ... or the fewer assets needed to move for the return. Plus, it's not likely we're going to be making huge waves to be in the playoffs. We're entering year 3 of the Verbeek reset rebuild.

 

[Duck Off]

View attachment 894418

I know kylington is smaller and another LD, but I wouldn't mind signing him as our number six and moving Lacombe for a forward.

Assuming you’re talking about the whole tax, California thing, I agree. I’d prefer we move that to a different thread if possible.

 

[MMC]

I'd like to hold onto LaCombe for at least another season so he can improve his draft capital if we're planning on trading him. His first year in the NHL doesn't show much on the surface when taken as a whole. In doing the splits, LaCombe improved throughout the season, both offensively and defensively.

LaCombe	2023-24
Game Set	Games	G	A	Pts		+/-	Hits	Blocks	Comments
Total	71	2	15	17		-24	50	129	Total
1 to 20	20	0	3	3		-16	18	28	1st pair for 14 games
21 to 40	20	0	4	4		-7	14	41	1st to 3rd pair
41 to 71	31	2	8	10		-1	18	60	1st to 3rd pair

The better the draft capital, the better the return ... or the fewer assets needed to move for the return. Plus, it's not likely we're going to be making huge waves to be in the playoffs. We're entering year 3 of the Verbeek reset rebuild.

I am not a proponent of trading LaCombe but there’s no certainly no guarantee he’d be worth more next year than he is right now, particularly if he finds himself getting into less games

 

[All Mighty]

I am not a proponent of trading LaCombe but there’s no certainly no guarantee he’d be worth more next year than he is right now, particularly if he finds himself getting into less games

This is honestly why I would be fine with trading him now. I just don’t see him being able to increase his value with all of the guys in front of him. It’s possible, but not likely IMO.

 

[Static]

This is honestly why I would be fine with trading him now. I just don’t see him being able to increase his value with all of the guys in front of him. It’s possible, but not likely IMO.

His chance will be injuries. He will have an opportunity to take a job, but I will be surprised if he is able to do that at this stage of his development.

 

[91Fedorov]

This is honestly why I would be fine with trading him now. I just don’t see him being able to increase his value with all of the guys in front of him. It’s possible, but not likely IMO.

I think we typically have so many injuries on defense, that I would prefer to keep LaCombe for this season. Even if he's not part of our future plans.

 

[MMC]

This is honestly why I would be fine with trading him now. I just don’t see him being able to increase his value with all of the guys in front of him. It’s possible, but not likely IMO.

Yeah I wouldn’t mind if they just kept him for depth and figure if they eventually have to put him on waivers (or sell him at a reduced price to avoid losing to waivers) then so be it but if they want to move him for a forward now I wouldn’t be opposed

 

[Son of Gib]

I am not a proponent of trading LaCombe but there’s no certainly no guarantee he’d be worth more next year than he is right now, particularly if he finds himself getting into less games

What sucks about trading him is that he chose to sign with us despite having the option not to. I understand it's the way of the business, but kinda sucks for college guys like Moore and Colengelo to see that.

 

[duckpuck]

yeah, boo hoo poor guy is only making 200k a game. how can they live off that!?

A professional athlete has a very limited earning window. Football contracts are not even guaranteed for injury. And often the post career earning potential is very limited. Armstead needs to earn enough money now to live and support a family for 40 years. So the “how can he live off that” take shows a complete lack of understanding.

And for an athlete, you also have to account for agent/management fees and other costs likes trainers, etc. So the $200k number isn’t even that.

I went round and round with a friend in Georgia on this. I had to work the numbers and even then he had trouble believing me. But due to the difference in income tax structure, a married couple paid more state income tax in Georgia than California until their taxable income exceeded $150,000 per year. The difference was that Georgia had a flat tax rate in excess of $10,000 per year income whereas California has a progressive tax rate, where the initial tax bracket starts well above $10,000 per year. The sales tax and property tax rates were not significantly different between the two states.

So for regular earners do not just assume that California taxes are high, or even higher than in other states. Check everything in the tax structure carefully, and you might be surprised.

Now, California does have higher property values. That may impact the cost of living. But then you don’t need heavy winter clothes, and you don’t need to winterize either your car or your house. So put a lot of effort into calculating the true cost of living in comparable areas.

$150k is coastal California is very different than most parts of Georgia. Everything is more expensive here starting with mortgage/rent and including energy costs. For a family of 4, $150k goes much further in most places outside of CA.

While California taxes are high, and I do think our state leaders waste too much of our dollars, every state gets what it needs. Or they cut back on services.

If a state has no income tax, they are getting it from property, sales, or anywhere else.

For players it is moot since most are not long term residents. But for CA residents, especially long term, Prop 13 keeps property tax increases in check.

Most states re-assess based on current value. For long term residents they pay on an unrealized monetary increase in their home value.

John

Prop 13 is a red herring. It primarily benefits old people and their children who inherit - not anyone buying a house today. It is a senior entitlement. Also generally most property taxes go to local authorities, not the state (or to the state and then back to local communities for schools).

Yes - states w/o income tax have to generate money in other ways. Typically this is business taxes or other types of fees (transfer taxes for real estate is a major one in Florida, for example). But the biggest difference is spending. California’s state budget dwarfs other states which necessitates the higher taxes. The CA budget/spending is roughly twice per capita than Texas and Florida. That may be a good thing - depending on priorities/politics/etc. I’m trying my best not to be political - it may be a good thing. But that reality drives taxes.

I don't know about US taxation system, but in all honesty: the average of taxation in Germany is around 45% and with so-called "progression", people might even pay up to 70% in taxes. I know for a fact that I had some 57% deductions in taxes due to double-taxing on Christmas benefits a few years ago. So, what exactly is the problem with Cali taxes and why are people so obsessed with it?

As others have pointed out, the US tax system is different because each state has a different system. Also some cities have income taxes (e.g, New York City). I’d also point out that in many “high tax countries” things like healthcare and college/advanced education are free (not sure about Germany, but this is the case in much of Europe). That is not the case in the US. So it is not just a matter of the overall tax rate but also what services are being provided.

 

[MMC]

What sucks about trading him is that he chose to sign with us despite having the option not to. I understand it's the way of the business, but kinda sucks for college guys like Moore and Colengelo to see that.

At the same time, I’m sure he’d rather play than not play so if we move him to a team that sees him as a regular when we were leaning towards him being a frequent scratch or in the AHL I doubt he’ll be too upset

 

[2faded]

The Ducks should offer Disneyland season passes for each year of the contracts to make up for the state taxes. The cost of those passes has to be close to equal to the state taxes.

 

[70sSanO]

Prop 13 is a red herring. It primarily benefits old people and their children who inherit - not anyone buying a house today. It is a senior entitlement. Also generally most property taxes go to local authorities, not the state (or to the state and then back to local communities for schools).

Yes it is more beneficial to those who are older and bought a house many years ago. But in states that base property taxes on current values some seniors are getting killed and can’t afford to stay in their homes. Is it fair to tax on an unrealized value? Sorry, you have to move because your neighbors sold their houses.

But it does benefit people who buy today and stay in their house as they age. The house may not have the same percentage appreciation over the next 30 years than the last 30 so the benefit is less.

FWIW, our daughter may not be happy about the amount of property tax she has to pay, but she is happy about the Prop 13 limits; and she is far from retiring.

As for athletes, all of this is moot; unless they retire here.

John