Ok... I get JT takes a discount to play on a good team but this deal at 7x8.5m= 59.5m vs NYI deal of 8x11m=88m... I don't think he turns down 28 million dollars.

Trade Coburn and a 2020 2nd to the Habs along with Johnson for a 1st and Jordie Benn? That would give another 2.5 million cap space to try and sign Tavares...

What you're failing to take into account is that NY has one of the highest tax brackets in the league and TB the lowest so the real difference in take home is about actually negligible over 7 years. The only advantage NYI has is they can give him the extra year. Even if they did the difference between an 8 year deal in NYI and 7 in TB TAKE HOME is about 9M

The post-tax salary in New York is about 86% of the value in Florida. So if NYI offers 11x8=88, the equivalent post-tax value offer from TBL would be 10.8x7=75.6m. At least, I think I did that math right.

Also, the matching offer if they are both 7 year deals is 11m NYI = 9.45m TBL.

https://www.capfriendly.com/post_tax_calculator

Cost of living significant, being with a contender, playing in a market that loves hockey but can be a private person as well. and friendship with Stammer. The friendship is why I matched Stammers salary.

Cost of living significant, being with a contender, playing in a market that loves hockey but can be a private person as well. and friendship with Stammer. The friendship is why I matched Stammers salary.

Okay, and I think taxes are even different there, but we are talking almost 30 million dollars....

No after tax, the difference on a 7 year deal in TB vs 8 year deal in NYI is about 9M more to play in NYI. But again, that's an extra year in NYI vs TB. Post tax earnings if each team gave him a 7 year deal 11M from NYI vs 8.5M from TB the difference is less than 4M.