Hockey

Connor McDavid contract: Roberto Luongo makes a joke in defense of his Panthers
Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Connor McDavid contract: Roberto Luongo makes a joke in defense of his Panthers
Credit: Getty Images

Yesterday, Connor McDavid agreed to sign a contract at a discount: $12.5 million per year. Like Sidney Crosby always did, he agreed not to take a salary increase afterwards. Of course, this is only a two-year contract. Butthe fact remains that the Oilers' star has understood something that Kirill Kaprizov hasn't: to win, you have to make sacrifices. I'm not going to criticize a player for getting his money in a market where the owners are lining their pockets, but you have to wonder what kind of teammate he is. Roberto Luongo (the former Panthers goaltender who now works for the Florida club) had a good laugh to say about McDavid's contract.

Tax-free states strike again!

–

Roberto Luongo

He said this because many people think the Panthers managed to keep Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand at a discount because of Florida taxes. Clearly, Bobby Lou thinks otherwise. He must believe that it's the team culture (as is the case with the Oilers' McDavid) that makes the difference. And that, clearly, must make Kent Hughes happy. Alexandre Pratt, in his piece of the day, claimed that it was the guys from La Presse, after their interview with the Habs GM, who told Kent Hughes the value of McDavid's contract. He hadn't seen it because he was giving an interview.

And Hughes, even if he didn't comment on the Oilers' contract, surely smiled. Why? Because it shows that what he's trying to create as head of the Canadiens isn't about showing off. Did he talk to Lane Hutson's agent? In the end, Kent Hughes must be banking on the fact that, even if taxes aren't the same as in Florida, the Montreal market still has its advantages in terms of money. Especially for an American player.

It's impossible to have the same reality in all 32 NHL markets… and yes, taxes have their part in the equation. What teams can do, though, is create a culture where guys want to stay on at a discount. And Kent Hughes, as Patrice Bergeron's former agent, is well placed to know that this can work, as a plan.

'Overtime'

– Today's game plan for the Habs: practice and flight to Toronto.

– Magnifique.

– Wow.

– Nice.

– Interested?

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