Sillinger was a good pickup along with Poti. Taxes do not stop the Rangers. I think Lou is better with signing the vet and griding type player. Lou has not had success with signing the more skilled type of player in UFA. It's a new NHL now with more emphasis on speed and skill.
- ses111
Sillinger was a 35YO journeyman who had changed teams TWENTY SIX times before accepting a contract with the Isles. That was not a big signing. Poti was a so-so mid range signing, not a major market guy.
As an original six team, the Rangers are an anomally when it comes to UFA's. They have the league's largest marketing landscape. They are simply not comparable to the Isles. There have been agents who have candidly admitted to discouraging players from going to California and New York. Buffalo Bill's safety Jordan Poyer was recently quoted as saying if he were to go to free agency, he wants to go to a state that doesn't take half if his money. Miami Dolphins receiver Tyrek Hill admitted to signing with the Dolphins over the Jets because of taxes. By playing in Miami, he saves $2.7m per year in taxes compared to NY.. NY's state income tax is over 12.75%, by far the highest in sports. Plus, its one of the only states that taxes its professional atheketes for away games too. There are multiple locations with no income tax and an NFL team that could be options. Florida, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas and Washington all meet the criteria. If I'm a player looking for a big payday of say $9m, already knowing what Federal income taxes will do, an additional 13% definitely plays a factor.
