Edited Dec. 13, 2018 at 8:51 a.m.
Quoting: Blazingbat11
Leafs are in the same boat at UFA signings. Take Marleau as a perfect example. They had to give him a butt load of cash and also add a year for him to sign, and now leafs will pay for next year. TOR and MTL are the highest NHL cities when it comes to taxes (TOR #1, MTL #2). Also add that there is still a large minority of players that have no interest in playing in Canadian markets, and a large majority of players who’d prefer to stay away from media crazy markets (TOR and MTL being the two biggest media coveraged NHL cities)
Before people use JT as an example to say the opposite, he’s one of the rare exceptions. He wanted to play for his childhood team, and left money on the table (as in an 8th year on his contract) to do it.
But yeah if Matthews leaves the leafs, it won’t be MTL, I’ll agree with that. But if TOR don’t sign Matthews before July 1st, yes he will have leverage. ARI offer sheet is almost for sure to happen, and it would be incredibly naive to think otherwise. $14mil+ A year in Arizona (tax free state) is a lot more than just an extra $2mil compared to a $12mil a year in Toronto.
I don't think taxes is really an issue at all. Players are incorporated and certainly we are not talking about them paying personal tax rates. We never hear about American players playing for the Raptors or Blue Jays demanding more money to play in Toronto due to taxes.
Yes, I agree with you that Arizona could very well put in an offer sheet. Now that would be leverage for Matthews, because there is real possibility he would sign that offer sheet. I suggested that even a higher offer from a less desirable location than Arizona and Toronto, such as Montreal (that's my assumption) would not really hold leverage.
Agree with you that Matthews and really most players if they have gone this far towards UFA or RFA status, you might as go past July 1st to see what any offers might occur or as you say ,a type of leverage to be used.
I have said it before what I think will happen. Matthews will yes a threat of an offer sheet (whether he has one or not) and used for better TERM for the Leafs. IMO he will get a four or five year contract from the Leafs (thought the Leafs want eight years). So he takes less money 11.5m or 12 m lets say in a four or five year team. Plays for a very good Leafs team and all the benefits of playing with the Leafs and in Toronto. He then is UFA sooner and then he can go to another team maybe the Rangers or Ducks or Chicago or maybe even the Leafs to exploit his commercial value as one of the top players in the NHL.
Regarding your Marleau front loaded contract. It isn't just Marleau. Leafs seem to be doing that with many of their star players. Leafs...(Bell and Rogers) are using their financial power to be able to make this front loaded deals, for a couple of reasons. One reason to so it's an easier trade for a player to a team who will have to put out less money. IMO Nylander is going to have to traded for cap reasons at some time. After July 1, his remaining five years of his 7m cap contract, the money paid is actually is 6.14m per year.