The NHL's latest rule change will make Dallas the ultimate free agent hotspot
Photo credit: Sportsnet
The NHL's new collective bargaining agreement is changing the way contracts are built, and the Dallas Stars might be one of the biggest winners from the new rules.
Under the old system, player deals could be heavily stacked with signing bonuses, often making up nearly the entire contract outside of the league minimum salary.
For U.S.-based players, that structure had a huge perk - Canadian taxes only hit the bonus at 15%, with the rest taxed in their home state.
This meant millions in potential savings over the life of a deal, particularly for players in no-income-tax states.
Dallas Stars can now pitch their tax advantage more powerfully than ever
With the new CBA capping signing bonuses at 60% of any contract, those tax workarounds are shrinking.
For high-tax markets, the change could make attracting big-name players harder.
For states like Texas, though, it's a golden opportunity.
One NHL agent told Reuters:
«When you cap bonuses, you're forcing players to look harder at where they'll actually take home the most money. States like Texas will stand out even more.»
ESPN also pointed out that bonus restrictions could subtly shift where free agents choose to sign, nudging them toward markets where their salaries stretch further.
For Dallas, this is another tool to keep elite players - like Jason Robertson - long-term while also drawing top-tier free agents.
They can now combine their on-ice success, warm climate, and no state income tax into a pitch that hits directly at a player's bottom line.
Personally, I think this could become one of the Stars' most underrated advantages in the coming years.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 9 | 33 ANSWERS The NHL's latest rule change will make Dallas the ultimate free agent hotspot Do you think the Dallas Stars will land more big-name free agents because of the new CBA bonus limits? | ||
| Yes | 23 | 69.7 % |
| No | 10 | 30.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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