Why are so many players wanting out of Canadian markets?
The list of players wanting out of Canadian markets is getting longer by the day. So what’s driving players to make these demands? TSN Hockey analyst Cheryl Pounder joins That’s Hockey to share her thoughts.
What no one wants to say publicly is how old the Saddledome is in Calgary. Millionaires like nice things, and the arena in Calgary is old (and allegedly rat invested). Then Winnipeg, well, it's tolerable if you're winning, but if the team isn't, then… it's just Winnipeg, where many average Canadians don't even want to live, let alone wealthy NHL players who would rather live it up in a happening big (warm climate) city. Edmonton was on this list for a long time, until it got a new arena, and a number draft pick that panned out as hoped (we all know who that is), finally making the team competitive for real.
It’s not the weather, or taxes, it’s our government has become dictatorial and is stripping away our God given freedoms because of some ideology that has never worked. Furthermore, it’s not just athletes leaving either
She played in the Canadian market? Lol. Trying to compare her to nhl player is silly. And passion and this emotional appeal is silly. Dumb coverage other than the issue. The players will play where they enjoy it and aren’t saddled with exorbitant taxes.
The love of money has overtaken the love for the game! In Calgary, I believe the cancer is still in the room, and they (management)know where the rot is, so get rid of it no matter the cost, and let’s get back to giving our loyal fan base, a team of passionate, dedicated, committed team players, that only care about team results, and not individual success! I think it might be difficult to be passionate when you’re not playing for anything, because you have your big contract already. Youth brings passion and hopefully we can find that in the Wranglers pool, but if not we have a good scouting staff to bring us some youth and talent, hungry to make the big show. New GM, new coach, new assistant coach, is this the time for a full rebuild?
Canada located team has not won Stanley Cup since 1993; would it help to have a major hockey league in Canada having a champion every year that players on Canadian teams can play for? and can more easily expand number of Canadian teams to Quebec, Hamilton, Saskatoon and maybe other cities?
I mean, if we're comparing somewhere like New York, LA, Phoenix, or Florida to Calgary, Winnipeg, and Ottawa it's obvious where 90% of players would want to go. Had an opportunity to talk to Lawson Crouse of the Arizona Coyotes and he says his teammates love living in Arizona. If you ask anyone in Canada if they'd rather live in California or Winnipeg it's pretty obvious what they'd pick. Can't really blame the players
There are other reasons besides the ones that have been mentioned in the video. These are the ones I'm aware of: Calgary: The players hate Darryl Sutter and want to get away from him. Edmonton: It's Connor McDavid and a cast of nobodies that are never good enough to win. Vancouver: The team stinks and the management has no clue how to fix it. Ottawa: The team finally has a new owner but their rink is in the middle of nowhere just like they are in the standings and that affects the average attendance which causes them to lose money each year. Winnipeg: It's too bloody cold! Who the heck would want to play there? Montreal: Everybody speaks French except the players, so if the team is bad, they hear about it loud and often in 2 languages. That's too much for anyone to take. Toronto: Same as Montreal only on a more national scale. When the Leafs play, all of Canada is watching and every player gets scrutinized to the highest degree. In Toronto, you are either a hero or a bum with very little middle ground. (Ask Jeff O'Neill or Mike Johnson.) The fans here, even the younger generation, have long memories and the bad times tend to linger more than the good ones.
NHL should prorate salary cap to account for tax rates. Winnipeg gets a slightly higher cap than Florida. Signing $6 mil in Florida is a lot better than signing for $6 mil in Winnipeg. Even true amongst states. There may be a better way to do the math and make it more even for all teams
Ott = cheap owner for years. TML and VC are media circuses with clueless ownership. MON cares more if you speak french than if you play well. EDM is in the middle nowhere. CLG and WPG are poorly run. Maybe that's a factor?
Plus, social media in the USA doesn't beat the crap out of you, AND YOUR FAMILY.
I grew up in NYC, season tickets to NYR. NYC fans inside MSG can be foul mouthed animals. But OUTSIDE MSG, we are nice to our pro athletes. No matter how bad things are.
They all want to leave so they can purchase guns to pertect there wife and children! They also believe in Christ and our pro lifers who want there fetus armed with AR – 15’s to prevent abortionists from aborting there babys and then deny it Canadien health care and taribull education once it’s born. Need to be smart and live in AmeriKKKa!!
All the reasons stated already are a 100% accurate – but a big one missed, and I was listening to Fan here in Calgary a few weeks back about this very subject – another big one for players (besides all the money they make and bigger taxes in Canada than the U.S.) is the anonymity – with hockey so low on the radar in a lot of those non-traditional U.S. markets, players outside the rink are not hounded every day about hockey and how the team is doing etc.. – let alone being recognized out and about either – a lot of them love this fact – much less pressure playing in most U.S. markets and that's a big reason too – in a Canadian market where hockey is 24/7, I absolutely admire the likes of McDavid whom plays in a hockey mad market where I'm sure everywhere he goes out he is recognized. What is cool though, you do have players like Montreal's Cole Caufield who came out and said Montreal is the best place to play – you have players that thrive on that pressure – but I would say most would go to a sun belt U.S. team where the pressures of playing well, the taxes, weather and other factors make it much more attractive. Years ago, Canadian teams were the teams to play for – but in the last 20-30 years it has really, really changed and is a massive reason why the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup was in 1993. Sign of the times.
Same reason a Russian wants out of Russia — Canada has turned into a Woke, Communist country and those who can afford a choice are moving their feet… i don't blame them
They missed one. Could it be that they’re in the knowing of the pending 15 minute cities, social credit system and carbon rationing lockdowns coming soon?
Trudeau is also a very big factor!…his policies are killing Canadians and American don’t want to pay these stupid taxes and the carbon tax is another bloody tax!
Sorry Owners front all the money and players put body ion the line yes but Owners should have more of the power. Typically pendulum gone way way to far the other way.
If i was making millions and had a chance to play in the states i would the taxes here are terrible and we get so little for it . Id be trying to get to arizona or dallas
42 Comments
canada hasn't been the same since degrassi ended!
And this why the cap is disadvantageous to Canadian cities,Canadian teams can’t incentivize players because of it.
What no one wants to say publicly is how old the Saddledome is in Calgary. Millionaires like nice things, and the arena in Calgary is old (and allegedly rat invested). Then Winnipeg, well, it's tolerable if you're winning, but if the team isn't, then… it's just Winnipeg, where many average Canadians don't even want to live, let alone wealthy NHL players who would rather live it up in a happening big (warm climate) city. Edmonton was on this list for a long time, until it got a new arena, and a number draft pick that panned out as hoped (we all know who that is), finally making the team competitive for real.
Huh weird how people don't want to live under a commie government…
It’s not the weather, or taxes, it’s our government has become dictatorial and is stripping away our God given freedoms because of some ideology that has never worked. Furthermore, it’s not just athletes leaving either
Taxes, Weather and values. All are obvious reasons as to why players want out.
She played in the Canadian market? Lol. Trying to compare her to nhl player is silly. And passion and this emotional appeal is silly. Dumb coverage other than the issue. The players will play where they enjoy it and aren’t saddled with exorbitant taxes.
Because they know Canada will never see a cup !! It’s Bettmans agenda !! Wake up Canada
I’m not even from Canada but if I had to live in a country where treaudo is the leader I’d wanna leave too
The love of money has overtaken the love for the game! In Calgary, I believe the cancer is still in the room, and they (management)know where the rot is, so get rid of it no matter the cost, and let’s get back to giving our loyal fan base, a team of passionate, dedicated, committed team players, that only care about team results, and not individual success! I think it might be difficult to be passionate when you’re not playing for anything, because you have your big contract already. Youth brings passion and hopefully we can find that in the Wranglers pool, but if not we have a good scouting staff to bring us some youth and talent, hungry to make the big show. New GM, new coach, new assistant coach, is this the time for a full rebuild?
The economics dictate the decisions…Plus the relentless media/fan spotlight.
Who would want to play hockey in a communist country , thats why they want out.
Taxation and self defense of property and family is another big factor cant do thst in Canads
As someone that moved from Canada to the US I completely understand. I don't believe the "pressure" of playing in Canada has that much to do with it,
Canada located team has not won Stanley Cup since 1993; would it help to have a major hockey league in Canada having a champion every year that players on Canadian teams can play for? and can more easily expand number of Canadian teams to Quebec, Hamilton, Saskatoon and maybe other cities?
I mean, if we're comparing somewhere like New York, LA, Phoenix, or Florida to Calgary, Winnipeg, and Ottawa it's obvious where 90% of players would want to go. Had an opportunity to talk to Lawson Crouse of the Arizona Coyotes and he says his teammates love living in Arizona.
If you ask anyone in Canada if they'd rather live in California or Winnipeg it's pretty obvious what they'd pick. Can't really blame the players
Canada has free healthcare! How can you ever want to leave
Canadian taxes and the NHL is all about the USA today. Bettman is not promoting Canadian markets.
Shit Canadian goverment, they could reinstate pandemic restrictions any time they want and then the players would be stuck
There are other reasons besides the ones that have been mentioned in the video. These are the ones I'm aware of: Calgary: The players hate Darryl Sutter and want to get away from him. Edmonton: It's Connor McDavid and a cast of nobodies that are never good enough to win. Vancouver: The team stinks and the management has no clue how to fix it. Ottawa: The team finally has a new owner but their rink is in the middle of nowhere just like they are in the standings and that affects the average attendance which causes them to lose money each year. Winnipeg: It's too bloody cold! Who the heck would want to play there? Montreal: Everybody speaks French except the players, so if the team is bad, they hear about it loud and often in 2 languages. That's too much for anyone to take. Toronto: Same as Montreal only on a more national scale. When the Leafs play, all of Canada is watching and every player gets scrutinized to the highest degree. In Toronto, you are either a hero or a bum with very little middle ground. (Ask Jeff O'Neill or Mike Johnson.) The fans here, even the younger generation, have long memories and the bad times tend to linger more than the good ones.
gary bettman
Connor McDavid and every oiler loves edmonton. Sry bout yall luck
NHL should prorate salary cap to account for tax rates. Winnipeg gets a slightly higher cap than Florida. Signing $6 mil in Florida is a lot better than signing for $6 mil in Winnipeg. Even true amongst states. There may be a better way to do the math and make it more even for all teams
Ott = cheap owner for years.
TML and VC are media circuses with clueless ownership.
MON cares more if you speak french than if you play well.
EDM is in the middle nowhere.
CLG and WPG are poorly run.
Maybe that's a factor?
Plus, social media in the USA doesn't beat the crap out of you, AND YOUR FAMILY.
I grew up in NYC, season tickets to NYR. NYC fans inside MSG can be foul mouthed animals. But OUTSIDE MSG, we are nice to our pro athletes. No matter how bad things are.
Well, except Denis Potvin. 🥸
They all want to leave so they can purchase guns to pertect there wife and children! They also believe in Christ and our pro lifers who want there fetus armed with AR – 15’s to prevent abortionists from aborting there babys and then deny it Canadien health care and taribull education once it’s born. Need to be smart and live in AmeriKKKa!!
Two reasons. The Canadian dollar and plus a Canadian team has not won the cup in over 30 years.
One word taxes
All the reasons stated already are a 100% accurate – but a big one missed, and I was listening to Fan here in Calgary a few weeks back about this very subject – another big one for players (besides all the money they make and bigger taxes in Canada than the U.S.) is the anonymity – with hockey so low on the radar in a lot of those non-traditional U.S. markets, players outside the rink are not hounded every day about hockey and how the team is doing etc.. – let alone being recognized out and about either – a lot of them love this fact – much less pressure playing in most U.S. markets and that's a big reason too – in a Canadian market where hockey is 24/7, I absolutely admire the likes of McDavid whom plays in a hockey mad market where I'm sure everywhere he goes out he is recognized. What is cool though, you do have players like Montreal's Cole Caufield who came out and said Montreal is the best place to play – you have players that thrive on that pressure – but I would say most would go to a sun belt U.S. team where the pressures of playing well, the taxes, weather and other factors make it much more attractive. Years ago, Canadian teams were the teams to play for – but in the last 20-30 years it has really, really changed and is a massive reason why the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup was in 1993. Sign of the times.
Same reason a Russian wants out of Russia — Canada has turned into a Woke, Communist country and those who can afford a choice are moving their feet… i don't blame them
No kidding, who would want to stay being taxed 50% with a communist dictatorship for a government…
They want to win😂😂 thats why
They missed one. Could it be that they’re in the knowing of the pending 15 minute cities, social credit system and carbon rationing lockdowns coming soon?
Maybe our tyrannical governments covid restrictions had something to do with it. If i had a choice, I'd leave canada too.
Trudeau is also a very big factor!…his policies are killing Canadians and American don’t want to pay these stupid taxes and the carbon tax is another bloody tax!
Taxes, taxes, taxes
anybody ever think that these players don't want to play for a country full of Communists? That's my guess.
Becsuse Canada is becoming a cesspool thanks to Trudeau
Blame Trudeau and his clowns for the taxes!
Sorry Owners front all the money and players put body ion the line yes but Owners should have more of the power. Typically pendulum gone way way to far the other way.
Cause they it cost to much to live and we’re taxed to death.
Taxes cost of living
If i was making millions and had a chance to play in the states i would the taxes here are terrible and we get so little for it . Id be trying to get to arizona or dallas