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5 hours ago
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Mitch Marner is going to get a lot of money this offseason no matter what team he signs with in free agency.
That's what happens when you're the unquestioned best player on the board. Teams line up for you, especially a two-way stud like Marner.
But if the finances are a big concern even for a deal that will top $100 million in total value, there's one way for Marner to split the tie.
And if he looks at it this way, the Vegas Golden Knights would have a big leg up on the Anaheim Ducks, two teams that have been repeatedly rumored as favorites to land Marner.
The big difference: state income tax.
Nevada doesn't have it. California has plenty, working out to about 13% at NHL salary level, per Yahoo Sports.
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The math in the rest of this story is on the assumption that Marner gets a seven-year, $100 million deal (which works out to just under $14.3 million per year). That's a relatively reasonable outcome, although his eventual contract could come up just short of nine digits.
If that's the deal Marner signs, he'd lose $13 million over the life of the contract playing in California for the Ducks. There'd be no such loss playing in Vegas for the Knights.
There's an additional way to look at this, too.
Marner could actually have a team like Vegas pay him even $10 million less in total value, which could then be used to sign other players, and still actually earn more money, because he wouldn't lose anything via income tax in the state.
Certainly, money isn't everything for someone who is choosing between $87 million or $100 million. But it also can't be looked at as nothing.
Marner will be weighing hockey situations, like coaches and teammates and history.
But if it's a close call, state tax could legitimately matter here. Because when you're getting a record-setting contract like Marner, it's quite the difference.
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