A team from Florida will be competing in the Stanley Cup final for the 6th year in a row

[Greatzsky 99]

For anyone who thinks Florida was built using some huge tax advantage, watch this great video from The Hockey Guy. It quickly debunks this myth. The main reasons for Florida's success are good management and pro scouting.



I would say the same about Tampa. Although they were built more with success in the amateur draft than with pro scouti

Hockey is 90% mental. The other half is physical.

almost as mental as Tennis

 

[Cool Hand Puke]

Hockey is 90% mental. The other half is physical.

These are the stats I come here for

 

[Cool Hand Puke]

Meanwhile we’re forgetting that a High Tax Canadian team has made it two years in a row to the finals.

 

[KingsFan7824]

that’s because taxes are just part of the equation. You actually need a good front office and drafting to become competitive and credit for Florida for that. However, if say both Leafs and Panthers create a 9/10 teams through drafting, the no tax benefits pushes the Panthers to a 9.5 team through cheaper contracts, players waiving their NMC to be traded there, and cheaper+ more interest from UFAs. This discussion didn’t matter when the panthers had bad management, because they could not capitalize on the advantage. Now they can and very much do.

That's hasn't really happened though. The Panthers are where they are because they won multiple trades, that didn't involve NMCs. They got a failed 4th overall pick for nothing, who has turned into maybe a Conn Smythe winner. Somehow, Calgary agreed to take an older and more expensive player for Tkachuk. And they gave up nothing for a guy scoring 30-50 goals a year. None of that is taxes.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

That’s because shawty had them jeans, boots with the fur.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Clearly a tax advantage but everyone already knows that

 

[RevengeOfTheDrai]

That's hasn't really happened though. The Panthers are where they are because they won multiple trades, that didn't involve NMCs. They got a failed 4th overall pick for nothing, who has turned into maybe a Conn Smythe winner. Somehow, Calgary agreed to take an older and more expensive player for Tkachuk. And they gave up nothing for a guy scoring 30-50 goals a year. None of that is taxes.

Tkachuk was traded because he informed the flames that he wasn’t going to sign a long term extension, so they had to trade him instead of losing him for nothing. I can’t say for sure, but logically, it’s reasonable to say lower taxes and better weather were a factor in his decision. Also, Seth Jones waived his NMC to be traded to Florida…

 

[Cool Hand Puke]

That's hasn't really happened though. The Panthers are where they are because they won multiple trades, that didn't involve NMCs. They got a failed 4th overall pick for nothing, who has turned into maybe a Conn Smythe winner. Somehow, Calgary agreed to take an older and more expensive player for Tkachuk. And they gave up nothing for a guy scoring 30-50 goals a year. None of that is taxes.

Plus turning players like New York Rangers castoff Mikkola, a third round pick for Montour (first two cup appearances in this run), Seth Jones (who everyone thought was a terrible trade for them early on) for a goalie and a 1st.

 

[Cool Hand Puke]

Tkachuk was traded because he informed the flames that he wasn’t going to sign a long term extension, so they had to trade him instead of losing him for nothing. I can’t say for sure, but logically, it’s reasonable to say lower taxes and better weather were a factor in his decision. Also, Seth Jones waived his NMC to be traded to Florida…

So the only reason Jones agreed to go was because of taxes and he couldn’t have possibly wanted a shot at a cup? That’s inconceivable to you?

 

[RevengeOfTheDrai]

So the only reason Jones agreed to go was because of taxes and he couldn’t have possibly wanted a shot at a cup? That’s inconceivable to you?

That played a role for sure but then again, he signed a 76 million, eight year contract with a team that was starting to rebuild. Winning cups wasn’t his priority back then. His take home got a massive boost after he was traded to Florida.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Tkachuk was traded because he informed the flames that he wasn’t going to sign a long term extension, so they had to trade him instead of losing him for nothing. I can’t say for sure, but logically, it’s reasonable to say lower taxes and better weather were a factor in his decision. Also, Seth Jones waived his NMC to be traded to Florida…

He was an RFA. He didn't get to dictate where he was going. Calgary took Huberdeau because he was coming off a great year, and they never want to rebuild. The Flames never do that deal if he wants to stay. But even if he did want to leave, you damn sure don't get older and more expensive. But that's a Flames ownership issue.

 

[Ratsreign]

That played a role for sure but then again, he signed a 76 million, eight year contract with a team that was starting to rebuild. Winning cups wasn’t his priority back then. His take home got a massive boost after he was traded to Florida.

So, then why did he ever sign in a high tax market? Taxes certainly weren’t a concern then. Perhaps because he thought they would be more competitive, a quick retool and not a rebuild? And now he had a chance to join the defending Cup champs on their way to try to win another and he’s thinking first and foremost about taxes?
Ay caramba bro

 

[Nothingbutglass]

Meanwhile we’re forgetting that a High Tax Canadian team has made it two years in a row to the finals.

I was told the Canadian tax system makes that impossible.

 

[RevengeOfTheDrai]

So, then why did he ever sign in a high tax market?

Chicago gave him the best contract including an NMC, which gives so much control over his future. Smart choice by him. Let’s look at Sam Reinhart. Did signing a 8.6 x 8 have nothing to do with the friendly tax situation in Florida?. He was coming off a 57(!!!) goal season followed by a cup run where he’d have been a likely Conn Smythe candidate had a Panther had to win it. Taxes definitely had no impact on his discount. He ‘definitely’ couldn’t get more by testing free agency.

 

[PistolPete]

There are so many sports leagues out there and so little time. Can't blame Floridians for not giving that much attention to hockey.

And unlike Canadians, Americans have variety to their sporting options.

I don't blame people for bandwagoning. If I'm going to spend my time and money on something, I better be entertained and enjoy it.

I have ceased season tickets twice for the Senstors and the Redblacks because the value relative to money spent wasn't worth it when I was watching them lose lot more games than win and effectively paying them to live me frustrated and pissed off.

And even aside from sporting options, there are so many options- a movie, stream a series, exercise, read a book....the only people who watch a team win or lose are people for whom that team is their only interest and likely have nothing else to spend time on. Admirable? Maybe. Kinda sad? Maybe as well.

 

[paracord]

Who wouldn't want to play in Florida? Low taxes, great weather. Just leave during hurricane season.

 

[JianYang]

Beat me to it, @Dread Clawz ! As the Hockey Guy (Shannon) mentions, there's only been one "big ticket" free agent signing on the roster and that was Bobrovsky - the contract that was the worst contract in the league for years. Otherwise, it's been guys we've drafted and developed, great trades and having a reputation as an organisation where players have a chance to not only rejuvernate their careers but also win.

Last summer when Zito was bargain basement hunting, we signed free agents with the explicit understanding that they sign for cheap for a year or two, have a significant glow up during their time here, and then go elsewhere for lucrative contracts. Think OEL, Stolarz, Stenlund, Lomberg. Zito has mentioned explicity that they take real pride in turning around players' careers - and that's why players sign for cheap for us. It's not about the taxes.

Depending on the individual tax domicility of each individual player, taxes could be a slight advantage with trying to retain players but winning and being a successful organisation is much more of an incentive for players to take discounts to stay - particulary when you've had success, love your teammates, trust the front office to keep the success going, and frankly can't be arsed to move. One thing that is'nt mentioned as much that the video highlights here is also how the team benefits from Barkov's contract creating an internal cap. As Shannon says, you might need to have a lie down if you try to argue you're worth more than Barkov...

Cap or no cap, it has typically held true that unless you have drafted and developed your foundational peices, nothing else matters no matter how well the other team building components are executed.

Maybe there is the odd exception. The 94 Rangers come to mind as they essentially recreated the Edmonton oilers from the 1980s as best as they could, but even they had some key draft selections like Kovalev and leetch who were instrumental in that run.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

Who wouldn't want to play in Florida? Low taxes, great weather. Just leave during hurricane season.

I'll never understand the 'Florida has great weather' crowd. Death is preferable to humidity.

 

[Ratsreign]

Chicago gave him the best contract including an NMC, which gives so much control over his future. Smart choice by him. Let’s look at Sam Reinhart. Did signing a 8.6 x 8 have nothing to do with the friendly tax situation in Florida?. He was coming off 57(!!!) goal season followed by a cup run where he’d have been a likely Conn Smythe candidate had a Panther had to win it. Taxes definitely had no impact on his discount. He ‘definitely’ couldn’t get more by testing free agency.

I’m certain that staying in a winning environment chasing more Cups with a team full of guys that are very close, whil utilizing state of the art training facilities not far from home, with an owner willing to go first class all the way and do what it takes to continue this run of success had nothing to do with that. Not a damn thing.

And I didn’t even mention the palm trees.....

 

[paracord]

I'll never understand the 'Florida has great weather' crowd. Death is preferable to humidity.

I mean, people vacation there and move there in retirement. It's pretty commonly accepted that Florida has better weather than, say, Edmonton. It's a tropical location most of the year.

 

[PistolPete]

that’s because taxes are just part of the equation. You actually need a good front office and drafting to become competitive and credit for Florida for that. However, if say both Leafs and Panthers create a 9/10 teams through drafting, the no tax benefits pushes the Panthers to a 9.5 team through cheaper contracts, players waiving their NMC to be traded there, and cheaper+ more interest from UFAs. This discussion didn’t matter when the panthers had bad management, because they could not capitalize on the advantage. Now they can and very much do.


No we want an even playing field, with about as equal opportunities as you can get. But really, don’t you think it’s better that more people would celebrate a Stanley cup win than less?. It doesn’t make it any more deserving, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just disappointing how 95% of Miami/South Florida won’t care if the Panthers win, as if nothing happened. “No big deal, our team won some cup but honesty I’d rather watch this baseball game”.

95% of them wouldn't care if the Heat, Dolphins, or Marlins won either.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Palm trees.

 

[ClydeLee]

Tkachuk was traded because he informed the flames that he wasn’t going to sign a long term extension, so they had to trade him instead of losing him for nothing. I can’t say for sure, but logically, it’s reasonable to say lower taxes and better weather were a factor in his decision. Also, Seth Jones waived his NMC to be traded to Florida…

Seth Jones also was only willing to go to Chicago or Dallas from CBJ. He some trade control then too... why did he want to go to Chicago in the first place? What about Chicago was Seth Jones INTERESTED IN? Their high taxes? Why did Jones NOT want to go to Florida in 2021 but he did in 2025? What was different? What associations did a guy have joining a team with Toews & Kane vs joining Huberdeau/Barkov/Ekblad back in 2021?

That's a factor people seem to be limiting. Why did Seth Jones, born and spent his childhood and teenage years in Dallas, want to go to Dallas then also? That's pretty rare that players are from these Southern teams and want to go there, it happens. It happens a lot more in Toronto/New York area, there's boosts those teams take advantage of when they can.

I'll never understand the 'Florida has great weather' crowd. Death is preferable to humidity.

Remember, During the summer plenty of players aren't at their team's city. Where would you rather be during the season, October-April in terms of weather.

 

[RabbleMasterBlaster]

Probably already mentioned, but there was a time when BOTH Florida teams were absolute garbage that no one cared about. And I mean bottom of the barrel stuff. Especially Florida. FOR YEARSSSS. It didn't matter at all they were "tax advantaged" then, why does it matter now? Oh because they are GOOD. And gee golly...players want to play for good teams, who would have thunk??? Hopefully this incentivizes other franchises to follow suit (Utah, Kraken, Buffalo...). My only problem is that there's just not enough good talent to go around these days...NHL should be figuring out ways to incentivize the lower leagues to develop more talent. And make hockey more accessible...losing lots of ground to basketball and soccer these days...

 

[PistolPete]

Probably already mentioned, but there was a time when BOTH Florida teams were absolute garbage that no one cared about. And I mean bottom of the barrel stuff. Especially Florida. FOR YEARSSSS. It didn't matter at all they were "tax advantaged" then, why does it matter now? Oh because they are GOOD. And gee golly...players want to play for good teams, who would have thunk??? Hopefully this incentivizes other franchises to follow suit (Utah, Kraken, Buffalo...). My only problem is that there's just not enough good talent to go around these days...NHL should be figuring out ways to incentivize the lower leagues to develop more talent. And make hockey more accessible...losing lots of ground to basketball and soccer these days...

They already pay the lower leagues, don't they?