Latest news with #PaulBissonnette
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
NHL teams in states with no income tax have economic advantage, professor says
The hot-button topic of whether NHL teams based in states without income tax have an advantage is well and alive again. The Panthers' third straight trip to the Stanley Cup final means a team from the state of Florida has competed for hockey's biggest prize six straight years, and has won three of the last five. In addition, the Vegas Golden Knights have made two appearances since their inception in 2017-18, with one Cup win. Former NHLer and TNT commentator Paul Bissonnette sparked the debate last week, saying those teams have an advantage due to their state's tax rules. Jim Weese, a sport management professor at Western University, feels as though those teams have a leg up financially to build a contender. 'You could be paid less in a state like Florida or Nevada and as a result, your salary cap money will go a little bit further,' he said. 'Now I don't think that's the only thing. I mean, those places are pretty desired places to play as well. Beautiful warm weather, you could play in a little more of an obscurity than you can in a place like Toronto or Montreal or some of the hot hotbed hockey markets.' Weese suggests there may be a point the league addresses the issue for the sake of levelling the playing field, saying it's 'not fair to the other teams.' 'Maybe they could factor in income tax implications and that might balance the field a little bit,' Weese said. 'So the cap could go up in maybe some states that have a higher level of tax because competitive balance is so important. And those states that have no income tax, perhaps their salary cap would be a little bit lower. 'The way I understand it though, is that these players do pay income tax in the places where they play their road games. But there has to be a way to look at that, to develop a formula and create the competitive balance that the salary cap was designed to promote.' Aside from the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas and Florida, the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators also play in states with no income tax. The five teams have a combined six Cup wins since the 1998-99 season, with three going to Tampa Bay. When asked about it leading up to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final on Wednesday, commissioner Gary Bettman turned it over to deputy commissioner Bill Daly saying, 'Why don't you answer it because you know I hate the issue.' With the NHL and NHLPA in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, Daly doesn't expect it to be something that will be 'proactively' addressed. 'Certainly it's an issue that some of our franchises have raised as a concern,' he said. 'I guess what I'd say is at this point, we don't share the level of concern that they have. And what I'd say on top of that is, these imbalances have existed forever. There's nothing new here. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'There are so many reasons why a player may choose to play in a particular location, for a particular team, for a particular coach that have nothing to do with the tax situation in that market.' David Silber, a partner at Crowe Soberman LLP, said players consider lots of factors including their chances of winning a Stanley Cup, where best to raise their families and taxes. However, Silber says players increasingly have an eye on what their net pay will be. 'I think players at the end of the day are like everybody else and they're trying to see how can I make the most money for me and my family and how can ensure I can take care of myself and my family financially, even during my retirement,' he said. 'So I do find that as the years go by and yes, the cap space is going up, which makes it helpful for teams to compete and to try to sign those star players that they are taking more and more into consideration the tax implications of playing for a particular state or province and what that means and what the take-home pay will ultimately be for them. I do feel that that's becoming a bigger issue for the players.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2025.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
'Nobody cared for nearly 3 decades': NHL's Florida tax advantage debate intensifies online
Paul Bissonnette (via Getty Images) Last week, former NHL player Paul Bissonnette added fuel to the fire when he implied the NHL could be forced to address how Florida teams benefit from the absence of a state income tax in the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). 'The fact that Florida, not only is it an unbelievable team, an unbelievable market, but the fact that you're not paying state tax,' he said. 'That is an advantage that maybe has to be addressed in the next CBA. That's a conversation for another day.' But is it truly a game-changer — or merely a handy cop-out? Paul Bissonnette thinks NHL may need to address Florida's lack of state tax Paul Bissonnette argues that Florida players get to keep more of their paycheck since there is no state income tax. 'The fact that Florida, not only is it an unbelievable team, an unbelievable market, but the fact that you're not paying state tax,' he said. 'That is an advantage that maybe has to be addressed in the next CBA. That's a conversation for another day.' Reddit users react to Paul Bissonette's tax argument On Reddit, hockey fans fought back hard. Users noted that states such as Tennessee, Texas, and Nevada also have no state income tax, but teams based there have experienced wildly differing success. "What big free agents have the Florida teams stolen because of their income tax? And why haven't Seattle, Dallas, Nashville, and Vegas also exploited this cheat code?' someone noted. CONTROVERSY: Panthers Riding UNFAIR ADVANTAGE To Stanley Cup With TAX-FREE Environment, Experts Say! Others were quick to point out to the hockey world that Florida franchises were poor for decades before their current prosperity, implying organizational ability counts more than tax incentives. "Nobody cared for nearly 3 decades; now that Florida teams are consistently competitive, it matters," another wrote. One commentator summarized it well: "Players are taxed based on where their regular-season games take place, not which team they play for. When the Panthers have a game in New York State or California or wherever, all Panther players pay that state income tax for 1/82nd of their annual salary. Do the math and it turns out that players for the teams in Florida are state-income-tax free on around 2/3rds of their annual salaries, while players for the Islanders/Rangers/etc are state-income-tax free on around 1/3rd of their annual salaries. So the accurate statement is that players for teams in Florida "are paying about half as much state income taxes" as the players for the teams in New York and other high-state-income-tax states. That is a difference, and hence arguably an advantage in attracting free it's pretty marginal. The actual amount of difference is a really small percentage of annual net pay." One of the Redditors gave another perspective to the discussion: "No one complained about it when the Lightning and Panthers stunk." While taxes have an impact on player take-home pay, the discussion among fans and analysts is unanimous: organizational strategy, talent development, and culture win championships. Florida's recent success is probably a mix of all these things, not only the sunshine and tax breaks. Also read: Stanley Cup drama now includes Paul Bissonnette being listed as 'probable' with gout As the NHL heads into its next CBA, tax fairness will remain an issue of contention. For the time being, however, hockey fans appear more concerned about what transpires on the ice, rather than the tax code.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Stanley Cup drama now includes Paul Bissonnette being listed as ‘probable' with gout
Paul Bissonnette (Credit: Getty Image) While NHL players are taping ankles and icing bruises, TNT's Paul Bissonnette is taping up for something very different, gout. Yes, gout. The Spittin' Chiclets star and fan-favorite analyst says he's been battling a brutal foot flare-up caused by too many playoff steaks. But don't worry, he's still 'probable' for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, and fans are loving every second of this very on-brand chaos. Paul Bissonnette reveals he's fighting off gout after too many steaks during playoff coverage Bissonnette shared the story on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, saying he initially thought he had a stress fracture in his foot. But after a doctor's visit, the verdict was way more... old-school. Gout. The diagnosis came after what Biz called an 'NHL on TNT Steak Tour,' where he was eating multiple steaks a night while covering games. Naturally, he didn't shy away from the drama, declaring on social media, 'Forget State Tax. I'm now at war with Steak Tax.' Once the news hit Twitter (X), fans ran with it like it was a legit Game 1 injury update. TNT even leaned into the bit, posting a graphic labeling Bissonnette as "PROBABLE" for Game 1 due to gout, complete with 🚨 emojis and all. It's the kind of sports media chaos fans eat up. While the Panthers and Oilers prep for war on the ice, the TNT desk is now its own battlefield. Biz Nasty might not be scoring goals, but he's certainly stealing the headlines. And honestly? Gout becoming a trending topic during the Stanley Cup Final was not on our bingo card. Paul Bissonnette is making sure gout won't bench him even if he has to limp into the TNT studio with ice packs and painkillers. The only thing more dramatic than the Stanley Cup Final might just be Biz's playoff diet. Also read - 'You must not be very good': Florida man roasts Matthew Tkachuk after trade in most Florida way ever
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'I'm a winner': Paul Bissonnette trolled Maple Leafs in a recent post and it has sparked a debate
Image via Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images file The Toronto Maple Leafs lost their playoff series against the Florida Panthers last week and have received major criticism for it. While fans have constantly trolled the Toronto Maple Leafs and its captain, Auston Matthews, it seems like former NHL star player, Paul Bissonnette is the latest person to troll the team. Paul Bissonnette's recent post on X has raised some eyebrows and has sparked a frenzy among fans. Paul Bissonnette made a post about the Toronto Maple Leafs, days after the team lost to the Florida Panthers and it has sparked a debate A few hours ago, former Pittsburgh Penguins' player, Paul Bissonnette, took to his X to poke fun at the Toronto Maple Leafs. Paul Bissonnette's recent post on X reads as, "I was never asked to join the Leafs front office. I think I could help them win a Stanley Cup. I played in 2 NHL playoff games. I shook hands with the Detroit Red Wings after they swept us in Arizona. I have experience. I shook Nicklas Lidström's sweaty hand. I'm a winner." It's safe to say that this post has sparked a frenzy among fans. A fan commented, 'GET HIM IN. @MapleLeafs', while another fan wrote, 'respect in the handshake line'. A third fan commented, 'You are hilarious…. Of course, you should at least get an interview…' However, other fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs have also trolled Paul Bissonnette. A fan commented, 'When you say 'played in 2 NHL playoff games,' you mean kept the bench warm, right?', while another fan wrote, 'You played 2 playoff games and got swept like a dusty floor, now you're applying for GM like it's a part-time job at Subway 💀 Nicklas Lidström's hand still recovering from that handshake trauma.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 4BHK+Family Lounge+Utility room at 4.49Cr (All Incl)* ATS Triumph, Gurgaon Book Now Undo A third fan commented, 'Yeah that's what they need a clown in the front office.' Paul Bissonnette has not yet reacted to the criticism he has received from fans regarding his latest post on the Toronto Maple Leafs. As for the Toronto Maple Leafs' loss against the Florida Panthers, Auston Matthews has gotten massively trolled by fans for a few controversial remarks he made after the Game 7 loss. Also Read: Edmonton Oilers' fans lose it over Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's silent signal during Dallas Stars game as the team recorded two consecutive wins Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Logan Thompson helps Washington Capitals tie series with Carolina Hurricanes
Logan Thompson helps Washington Capitals tie series with Carolina Hurricanes Show Caption Hide Caption Paul Bissonnette on Ovechkin becoming greatest NHL goal scorer of all-time Paul Bissonnette discusses Alex Ovechkin surpassing Wayne Gretzky to become the greatest NHL goal scorer of all-time. Sports Seriously Logan Thompson made 27 saves and Tom Wilson had a goal and an assist in the Washington Capitals' 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series Thursday. Connor McMichael and John Carlson also scored for the Capitals. The series is tied 1-1. Game 3 is Saturday in Raleigh, North Carolina. Carolina is outshooting Washington 61-35 in the series, including 28-21 in Game 2. Despite this advantage, the Hurricanes have scored only three times against Thompson, who has been a force in Washington's netthroughout the playoffs. After stopping 27 of 28 shots in Game 2, Thompson has a .931 save percentage and a 2.01 goals-against average over the Capitals' seven postseason games. Shayne Gostisbehere had Carolina's only goal, and Frederik Andersen stopped 18 of 20 shots. After getting only 14 shots in Game 1, the Capitals had nine shots alone in the second period Thursday as part of a much more consistent offensive performance. At 2:16 of the second period, a clearing attempt from Sean Walker hit Gostisbehere near the middle of the ice and ended up springing McMichael on a breakaway. The forward buried the wrist shot for his fourth goal of the playoffs. The Capitals' first strike was followed by another quick goal 1:54 into the third period. During a power play, a nice passing sequence concluded with Carlson's shot from the circle. Washington was 1-for-3 on the power play Thursday, finally solving Carolina's outstanding penalty-kill unit. Before Carlson's goal, the Hurricanes were 19-for-19 on the kill during their first six playoff games and thefirst two periods of Game 2. The Hurricanes outshot the Capitals 17-7 in the third and made it a one-goal game on Gostisbehere's power-play tally at the 9:26 mark. That was as close as Carolina could get, as Wilson sealed the Capitals win with anempty-net goal in the final minute.
