Why NHL players don’t want to play hockey in Canada…

#nhl #hockey #torontomapleleafs
In the last few years, there has been a trend with some NHL players deciding that Canada isnt an ideal destination to play hockey. (Especially the Toronto Maple Leafs). We break down why this seems to be an issue for players & how it affects them on the ice.
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[@XXXSuperNerdXXX]

85% of Canadians have a strong hockey opinion they're happy to share. 70% follow hockey. 50% are watching hockey, 25% are paying attention. 15% have a understanding more than basic.

[@mickeyjohn2442]

0.0000000038% of Americans have an understanding more than basic.

[@davidkruse4030]

@@mickeyjohn2442and yet 30 straight years of Stanley cup teams.

[@the5thlineplaymaker131]

@@davidkruse4030All full of Canadian players lol

[@darkwillis416]

@@davidkruse4030 how msny canadian players on those US teams?

[@mickeyjohn2442]

@@davidkruse4030 30 years of Cups won for America...by Canadians.

[@JaySharp604]

The media is a huge factor in this. I hate Canadian Sports Media. They are always hunting for controversy... and they are obnoxiously repetative. I truly blaim Sportsnet, and the like, for the undue pressure placed on the athletes, and absolutely the cause of the Riots in Vancouver, as well as many Hockey Players wanting out of Canada.

[@hudsongraham649]

The fact that a Canadian team hasn’t won the Stanley cup for so long, is a reason why I like International hockey better than the NHL.

[@dicksonfranssen]

I liked it better when the same guy that did the weather did the sports on TV. Now it's painful just watching misplays of the month, I don't need to see it 8 times from 4 different angles. Oh dear God, Auston Matthews drank 2 beers last night! Is there any video? Get a life. (not you Jay)

[@Semaj2326]

Just curious, how do you think the media caused the Vancouver riots?

[@dicksonfranssen]

@@Semaj2326 What I remember is a team that lost a game and a bunch of lunatics that had nothing to do with hockey smashing glass and burning cars. It had zero in connection with the media.

[@BeastOfMetal1989]

That's why I've half-jokingly advocated for SportsNet to be forcibly relocated to Churchill, Manitoba, or another location along the Hudson Bay... It's what they deserve...

[@Mr.Quinlan888]

It's definitely an interesting topic. I've run into players at the grocery store here in Vegas. They're very respectful and laid back. I can understand wanting to be able go to the store or grab a bite to eat and having some semblance of normalcy off the ice. I think that's one of the top reasons NHLers gravitate towards the American market. I think as fans we sometimes forget that these guys are human.

[@cariopuppetmaster]

Really by that logic Arizona amd Flordia should be the best teams!

[@Bouncer-id1rh]

@@cariopuppetmaster It's not by some "logic"...what does that even mean? The commenter is right, many players just simply want to live a "normal" life off the ice. It's not just the players, but wives & kids too. Canadian markets, particularly like Toronto, it's like you're sitting, doing your work in your cubicle and having your boss standing over your shoulder the whole time. Who would want that? Of course it's not every player, but enough that just missing out on signing a player could be the difference between making it to the finals, or an early exit. Don't get mad about it.

[@maekklyn]

I agree but they don't have a normal job and don't get normal pay. You give up some years of privacy for financial security for the rest of your life. It really isn't an unfair trade. If I had that option I would be all over it and I feel like many other people would as well. I get it but it is a sacrifice that secures their entire future and most of us don't get that option. So while I sympathize I also feel like they sometimes take their success for granted. Nothing is completely free there is always a cost.

[@idiotidiot5821]

I met a pro skateboarder in person and that dude (Daewon Song) wasnt human. He had loose washers instead of bushings in his trucks but was skating this haggard brick Philly street flipping in and out of manuals and doing tricks I had never seen before while going as fast as hockey players can get on the rink. It was difficult to not completely fan out

[@neilallen507]

That’s one of the reasons Vegas is a top destination for players. They can go about their lives and no one really notices them

[@MrNitrobigmac]

I think many players are recognizing that they can get the passionate fan bases elsewhere without the disgusting behavior when they don't win every night. I get having passion for the game, but turning around an wreaking havoc on your players mentally for the mistakes they make is going to make more and more top tier players leave those markets and have success elsewhere.

[@hockeypsychology]

Good point. I think it’s worth noting & recognizing the players that are willing to embrace that in Canada.

[@deandoxtator7137]

I totally agree with you. In today's world of sports fans have gone to some extreme measures to wreak havoc on the game not just nhl but all sports. Buy throwing things or attacking or some kind of verbal threat. Like omg I honestly don't get ppls actions for that type violence or abuse. Ppl like that should be charged and thrown in jail I mean it bad enough with the abuse they face on the court, ice or field.

[@SJReid82]

@@deandoxtator7137 And those attitudes extend beyond sports; I mean how many stories have we seen in the last few months about fans throwing shit at singers on stage during concerts? Most of those have been in the US, but Canada is a microcosm of what happens there to a degree. I think as entitled attitudes worsen, there's going to be less and less draw for high-skilled talent to want to come here where hockey is king and fans are particularly passionate - to the extent of being INSANE in some cases. The riots in Vancouver in 2011 spring to mind. Why deal with that shit when you can play in a smaller (or at least more focused) American market, earn a boatload of money - without the morbid levels of taxation - and not have to worry about the ridiculous amount of media scrutiny and rabid fandom.

[@laughingbeast4481]

​@@SJReid82Canadian taxes are hardly morbid .

[@SJReid82]

@@laughingbeast4481 I was being a bit hyperbolic; relative to American taxes, some might consider it so, particularly as you get into higher earning brackets.

[@KevinMcGannon]

That’s why it is so laughable hearing the suggestion that the Panthers should move to Quebec year after year after year. Florida is tax free and you can golf year round. It’s easily a top 5 destination in the NHL.

[@__._._-_._.__]

😭 Flordia is not a top 5 destination in the nhl especially not sunrise, They have less fans than Anaheim i’ve seen high school teams have a more dedicated fanbase

[@Bouncer-id1rh]

@@__._._-_._.__ Oh, come on...a "high school team". Talk about the definition of bloviation.

[@brianjones7660]

@@Bouncer-id1rh you should wait while he looks it up....😁

[@brianjones7660]

really , his response exemplifies the very point being made. There is no existence beyond the shadow cast by the game of hockey in his world. Daily quality of life, future opportunities after (GASP!) playing hockey, you know, Real Life issues.

[@georgelazenby7167]

Same thing with places like Dallas, I mean look at how cheaply we were able to acquire Matt Duchene. Largely due to geography, and state factors, along with a solid winning team without crushing fan pressure.

[@theskwirtfiles]

Playing Hockey in Canada is like driving for Ferrari in F1 or playing for England in the World Cup, im sure there is more examples but the pressure is real and lets be honest, can be very toxic. Not everyone wants to deal with it and have it throw it off their game and i dont really blame them for that.

[@Matt-mk8ph]

The difference is when you drive for Ferrari you get paid more than you counterparts and are given a team that will almost guarantee your success. It's not like playing in Toronto will garnish you more money simply on the basis that you are in Toronto. They can get all the luxuries of playing in the US market that they would in Canada, and would likely get more value than their Canadian counterparts. Playing hockey for an original six team would be a better companion imo.

[@coolroses3779]

@@Matt-mk8phI mean Ferrari has been catching Ls lately and have incompetent management for a long time, but I get what you’re saying.

[@AC-ri2ph]

But without the pay and celeb benefits

[@mlgcrashoverride1019]

toronto is og 6 tho tf@@Matt-mk8ph

[@mlgcrashoverride1019]

@@AC-ri2ph you think nhl players are more famous in america tf lmao

[@dugganclhallrentals2089]

That’s partly why Montréal went to the cup final three years ago; during COvid. No fans; very little media present, fewer interviews etc… The pressure of expectation is an athlete’s worst enemy and it takes a while before it can be contained and dealt with. Asked about what he would have done differently during the World Juniors, McDavid said “…put my cell phone away…”

[@wihamaki]

Montreal has had lady-luck on her side as well. Even in `93, so many of their opponents had physically killed themselves upsetting the opponent in the previous round. Can't think of an easier time a team had winning the Cup. And during Covid, their opponents had probably lost an entire salary cap's worth of players due to injuries and suspensions. Against an healthy, low tax-rate state team, that one could say even cheated the LTIR, they were totally out-classed.

[@canadiansoviet]

​@@wihamaki There was magic in 93. Pittsburgh being upset in the first round, Montréal was a low seed, Patrick Roy played incredible, 10 straight overtime wins in a row. Many Quebecois on that team too.

[@allergictostupid2410]

Montreal was in an all-Canadian team division. There were four divisions, therefore Canada had a 1 in 2 chance of sending a team to the finals. I understand what you're saying, but when the odds of a Canadian team making the finals is literally 50% and there's still tv cameras and journalists watching the games, there's still incredible pressure to perform. Canadians are still assholes and posted online more than ever during COVID.

[@caperboy1169]

Lol😅

[@chrishaughton1747]

Montreal has always been big on pressure for hockey, but they treat their players like gold, especially the organization. The fans adore the players. Yes, the media is tough on them, but the fans love the players. Montreal has the best and most loyal fans, and I am a Red Wings fan saying that.

[@tt128556]

Finally subscribed after watching your vids for quite some time. One of the most level headed and informative hockey channels out there.

[@Entername-md1ev]

Many reasons to this: - Media pressure (particularly present in Toronto and Montreal where anything less than a cup is seen as a bust) - Currency exchange rate (getting paid in USD > getting paid in CAD) - Income tax (taxes are generally lower in US than Canada) - Most cities are undesirable (no offence but which players actually want to play in Edmonton, Ottawa and Winnipeg; Toronto and Montreal are cool but the pressure is high and why play in Vancouver when you have other west coast markets anyways) - Weather (self explanatory) - Publicity (NHL players are just another fish in a large pond in the US whereas in Canada they are a large fish in a small pond) - Language (this is specifically for Montreal but French being the first language turns off a lot of non-francophone players from signing)

[@johnholmes8919]

i agree except i have lived in toronto and edmonton and ottawa and montreal and they are outstanding cities and great places to live you give the impression that they are not

[@ESUSAMEX]

All NHLers are paid in American dollars. But then Canadian players in Canada must exchange their American dollars to Canadian ones and the exchange rates are not always great. Americans-- at least- can still have an American back account in the US while living in Canada. If I were able to play in the NHL, I would play in Canada-- including Montreal. But I would keep my US bank and use my no foreign transaction fee credit card for all my expenses in Canada. My no fee credit card would give me the best exchange rate because it gives me the bank to bank rate, which is cheaper than any other rates. Saving my money would be extra important if I were living in Canada.

[@ravensshadow2179]

I think you are spot on but I think it's more about the taxes and high cost of living. By signing with a Florida team you instantly make 25% more. I think if the NHL and or the Canadian government want to draw more players to Canadian markets the will make the players taxes exempt or adjust the salary cap accordingly in some way. I really don't think the latter will work.

[@Kevinc2828]

No to making them tax exempt , The NHL needs to re do the cap making it based on what a player CLEARS after taxes . If the Government made them tax exempt who do u think is going to pay for it ? Do you know what the GST tax is ? because it is a perfect example . Our government gives countries FREE TRADE so they no longer have to pay the tariffs tax to sell their products in Canada . The CONSERVATIVE PARTY then decided they did not like losing that money so they created the GST tax and forced it on the consumer but they then took it one step further and put it on all products Canadian included .

[@late3619]

The way to even the playing field is to make the cap hit after taxes. The league would need to adjust the overall cap, but it seems like the league isn't worried about Canada because they know their fanbase won't leave.

[@Joseph-rx9tp]

also Vegas and Dallas. I don't think is a coincidence that Tampa, Florida, Dallas, and Vegas have been so successful as of recent.

[@AdamsHadEnough]

I can't see that going over with the electorate if the Canadian government gave a tax break to multi-millionaire hockey players and nobody else.

[@butcherpete2286]

It's important to understand that Canadian media has a high expectation of the teams they cover to be "the first team to bring the cup back to Canada" and they will hound and hound players for every little mistake and all that does to a player is compound the issue. "Now every time I touch the ice there's a microscope on everything I do by people who don't even play the sport" it's easy to understand why players wouldn't want to be in that situation.

[@eddiemin4312]

I remember they criticized PK Subban for all his charitable work he was doing. They called it a distraction and constantly blamed him. Why would anyone want to leave?

[@penelop96]

@@eddiemin4312 Talking out your ass. PK was lauded for his charitable involvement; it’s his attitude in the dressing room that was criticized.

[@vlada]

"I don't want to play at Barcelona because everthing I do, say, wear will be overanalyzed" No one says that in any sport. But somehow high expectations is a big problem in hockey.😂

[@butcherpete2286]

@@vlada bahaha has Barcelona won a championship in the last 3 decades?

[@terryc.3624]

Lousy weather, girlfriends and wives like it warm-hot.......American money, taxes are must less in the USA....The MEDIA up here sucks, every f........g Canadian team is supposed to win the cup, 1 winner dummies, a Canadian team has not won in years....the media in canuck land think they know how to coach and who should play...they try to get rid of coaches and players,,,,the hockey panels on sports sites are brutual, diverse bull shit hires, women???? mute change the channel honey..

[@80sbaby64]

Pressure isn‘t all bad. A healthy dose of it is vital IMHO. We‘ve passed „healthy“ a long time ago in some CAN markets though. Sh*t‘s turned toxic a while ago. I can understand any player that decided that that‘s just not worth it.

[@donmorris3376]

There are undoubtedly many reasons a player decides to not play in Canada,and probably the constant pressure is one of them, but I doubt it's the main reason. Brian Burke once said a player can save about 30% in taxes by playing in the USA and even more in some States such as Florida. All hype and desire for a Stanley Cup aside, it's still the player's life's work and the 30% he loses by playing in Canada will never be regained. Add the horrible weather in many Canadian cities and you can appreciate the player who opts for the U.S., where they DO win Stanley Cups.

[@Raptorsified]

Not just athletes. All of my friends who went to med school/top level finance programs here in Canada have all moved to the States. Trust me, if I could I would too.

[@tdfmtig]

If I’m an nhl player I’m playing in Dallas Florida or Vegas. Low taxes, mild winters

[@HockeyNationHD]

great players have other concerns. those are expansion teams in bad hockey markets. guys prefer prestige franchises (original 6 especially) and huge markets, if they are true stars.

[@tdfmtig]

@@HockeyNationHD Dallas and Tampa are thriving hockey markets tho

[@Ali_Abdurahman]

id play in toronto, montreal, or edmonton because those cities are huge hockey cities and players who play in those cities tend to become popular

[@rileyholden-zc9ip]

I would play in Vegas or Nashville us wise And Winnipeg or Edmonton Canada wise

[@Jordan_653]

@@Ali_Abdurahman Yeah, depends how you're playing though. Darnell Nurse gets cussed out in public hahah

[@marcgallant5270]

I personally know a few Canadian NHL players (recently retired) and all of them said TOR and MON are the absolute worse markets to play for, the pressure/media attention gets tiring very fast.

[@jeffreycairns767]

I know a player that played for the Canadiens and never had an issue

[@Bouncer-id1rh]

@@jeffreycairns767 That great...but it doesn't change the fact that many do. Your response was as if...because I know one player who didn't have an issue, than that means nobody else did either". Weird.

[@jeffreycairns767]

@Bouncer-id1rh My point was, people online seem to think they know everything when in reality they know nothing on the subject. It always amazes me how stupid society truly is, especially Americans.

[@DanRaidersWarriorsSharksGiants]

@@jeffreycairns767 You gave 1 player as an example and that is your reply. By saying that it proves you do not know everything so why you going to talk down on Americans over that of all things. Talk about a Canadian embarrassment.

[@timjummichuck]

The pressure is real and those girly boys don't want to work for a living when they get to the NHL and they are full of excuses for why they are nothing compared to players 20 years ago that had guys hanging off of them with the stick while they made brilliant plays

[@habalicious27]

This channel is really good at a surface level, but this is the perfect example of how it falls short of doing a comprehensive analysis or, more importantly, elucidating the actual (complex and diverse) realities.

[@ericrobbins344]

That’s a great point habalicious! Income tax was mentioned in passing but it also be the difference between the CAN and US $ which could amount to many millions over a player’s career.

[@bradweinberger6907]

Bingo

[@UsesofBatman]

@@bradweinberger6907 I mean the video is 5 minutes long obviously it's not gonna be some in depth analysis, it's more of a conversation starter

[@DetroitTyler]

@@ericrobbins344 I'm sure they adjust for that when signing contracts to an extent. After all the NHL has a salary cap, and i'm sure currency values for US and CAD team are all end up being equal. So my guess guys getting paid in CAD is a conversion of their contract which is mostly likely a USD figure.

[@AlyxiSistahTweaky25]

@@DetroitTyler All NHL contracts are paid in USD, regardless of team.

[@SceptileSlash]

This is why (among Canadian teams) Ottawa is becoming a destination. It's the perfect middle ground between pressure to win and the ability to focus on your game. You'll get recognized sometimes if you're out and about, especially if you're Brady Tkachuk but the media doesn't jump down your throat like they do in Toronto, MTL, Vancouver, etc... Add a tight knit locker room where everyone holds everyone else accountable and I think the Sens are quietly building a championship mentality. That's why they've been able to attract guys like Giroux and Tarasenko in recent years, players across the league are starting to take notice.

[@nerinamak3298]

Ottawa is a circus just like any other Canadian hockey team

[@rossrobertson674]

Winnipeg is similar, player aren't hounded when they leave the house

[@tysonplett3328]

Winnipeg too, but our weather sucks so that's a whole separate issue.

[@jason893]

Lol, k.

[@Waawaaweewaa_]

@@jason893explains why all your stars make you guys overpay by 2M eh? 😂😂😂

[@craigerickson6308]

Media,fan scrutiny added to high taxes and lousy winter weather. Can't blame them for not wanting to be there.

[@terryc.3624]

yep..

[@cheryla7480]

Being that the majority of NHL players are Canadian, they grew up in our winter weather, so they are very acclimatized to it. Also The amount of Medical Insurance that Americans have to pay is more than the taxes Canadians pay for our universal healthcare. So all hockey injuries and required surgeries here are free to the individual..

[@terryc.3624]

The American health system is real top notch for American teams all paid for by the club....your taxes in Canada are high, covering everyones health care up here-----many Canadians go to the states for medical care-------no need to wait in line for socialized medicine...@@cheryla7480

[@HarrisonHollers]

I think it’s difficult for the family members of professional athletes to deal with the excessive scrutiny and negativity in the local media. Also, I think the lack of success only makes it less appealing for players to want to play for such teams as the desperation by fans increases. This happens in other sports: in NY, the Mets, Jets, and especially the Knicks all feel this to varying degrees.

[@AustinOgonoski]

Heard this exact thing from a friend of mine who used to play pick-up with Alex Petrovic here in Edmonton. Couldn't go to the grocery store without fans wanting a picture or to chat. Loved playing in Florida by comparison.

[@lukebeaman1748]

So he just hated talking to fans wow

[@AustinOgonoski]

@@lukebeaman1748 Not necessarily, it's just that if every trip to the supermarket for groceries turns into a 30-min meet and greet, eventually it grinds your personal life to a halt. That's the whole point of *actual* meet-and-greets organized by the team.

[@lukebeaman1748]

​@@AustinOgonoski the video pissed me off a little and I saw your comment so I jumped at it but after seeing the other leaf fans at the bar last night I completely get everything you said now imagine Matthews trying to go to the store after last night guy gonna have rocks thrown at him

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

After hearing and then seeing how the Leafs treated Phil Kessel. Can’t blame them. I also think because of how taxes work in Canada that a player wanting to keep most of his money would rather play in Dallas than say Ottawa.

[@user-yg1dg6xm2g]

So the NHL has to fix this by only counting take home pay towards the cap.

[@Bouncer-id1rh]

@@user-yg1dg6xm2g Or Canada needs to stop bending over it's citizens with high taxes. If the people in Canada want that-great! But that's Canada's choice. Deal with it.

[@MbisonBalrog]

High taxes but get clean streets high QOL less crime less disenfranchised youth killing people.

[@willsk7068]

if i remember Kessel taunted the fans and led the salute gate while in Leafs jersey. I always thought he was a clown, but the clown got 3 cups.

[@user-yg1dg6xm2g]

@@MbisonBalrog Millionaire athletes are shielded from those kinds of things, which the poor experience everyday.

[@bareknuckles2u]

Vegas, Nashville, Seattle, New York, Chicago, Florida, LA just to name a few: how does Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton (which are all fine places) sound in comparison?

[@ilikerealflight]

Also gotta consider that you have to live in the cities you play for. So that eliminates Seattle, New York, and Chicago right away. Florida might be ok, but then you have to deal with snakes and gaters. Not sure about wanting to live in Vegas or LA either.

[@PhilipSpence-ud4pp]

No thanks to all those us cities

[@willyupshaw]

I've always felt that one of the reasons Brodeur never went to free agency, and as a result, forfeited his chance to become the highest paid goalie (which he would have been) was because he didn't want to allow the narrative to develop that he might be coming to Canada, specifically Montreal.

[@akronik]

or could be........he was just happy

[@nancetardiff339]

Oct.5 2014 ''If the Canadiens made me an offer, it goes without saying that I would listen to what they have to offer me…(But) This is Carey Price’s team" Martin Brodeur

[@JT-bc5cd]

How does this compare to the "Pressure" applied to Players in American markets for other sports like NYC for Baseball, or Penssylvania, Midwest and Dixie when it comes to Football?

[@marvinbone1379]

DIXIE ??

[@JT-bc5cd]

@@marvinbone1379 yeah, Dixieland. South of the Mason Dixon line where football is king? States that include Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, Tennesee Lousiana etc. Are you ignorant to this term for a geographic location that has existed for 200 years?

[@marvinbone1379]

@@JT-bc5cd No, I am not "ignorant" of this very outdated word, for the southeastern states. I've lived in Tennessee for all of my 64 years. And by the way, you spelled my state incorrectly. And 'Louisiana' as well.

[@JT-bc5cd]

@@marvinbone1379 I am sorry to hear you spurn your heritage you poor reconstructed one

[@Jp-ei5og]

I think the pressure certainly does play a role. Along with weather and lifestyle. That said pressure may be used as a scapegoat when income tax likely plays a bigger role. 3/4 teams in stanley cup semis were fro. States with no income tax (texas, florida, nevada). At their income level, a player in one of those states is paying 33 % income tax vs one in quebec who is paying over 50%. Over a multi year contract, this can translate to leaving millions on the table. It probably would hurt their image more in front of fan though if they were to publically state that tax were a primary driver behind choosing where to play. Remember tiger woods moved from california to floroda not long after turning pro, and even said his motivations for based in the difference of tax rates.

[@johnholmes8919]

no doubt about it we have had many chats about the difference in taxes from state to state and from the usa to canada in canada you have provincial sales tax in every province except alberta and you have a federal sales tax and a carbon tax add in the price of housing and gas and groceries and travel and products and a million dollars sure goes a lot further in florida canadian cities used to be safe and a good place to raise kids but that gap has narrowed and finally would the wife or girlfriend or both like to spend the weekend sunning on the beach or shovelling snow

[@PatsandSox]

Better weather, better income tax situation, better currency (getting paid in CAD instead of USD could leave millions on the table over your career). I'm not sure why a pro athlete would want less pressure and passion from their fanbase.

[@daveo1808]

I mean theres pressure everywhere, especially if you have close teammates, I think a larger issue is the recognition and that you are always on in Canada vs most of the US where once you leave the rink thats it till the next game/skate. Some people want to have a life outside of work and that is fine

[@AC-ri2ph]

There's pressure everywhere but don't act like different levels don't exist. Ik you know there's a huge difference

[@awwwshucks443]

Gudas basically said he doesn’t want to be part of a circus. Clowns are offended.

[@TheKitKatThe]

gudas is the circus my friend, he screamed in a rookie goalie's face after winning a game in round 2 where he did nothing but commit penalties that weren't called

[@awwwshucks443]

@@TheKitKatThe 🤡?

[@rickymartin875]

@@TheKitKatThe Keep crying a river Loser Leafs Lover! 🤣😢😭

[@ryans413]

So it’s just a Toronto thing got it. But I do want to mention players will still go to Canadian teams if they feel they have a shot at winning. Kane resigned with Edmonton for less money then he could have gotten elsewhere. Hymann walked himself to Edmonton. Kieth wanted to play for Edmonton to be closer to his son. The twins decided to stay in Vancouver throughout their entire careers. Iginla wanted to stay in Calgary until they traded him. Carey Price stayed with Montreal his entire career. I can go on it’s not every player.

[@Bouncer-id1rh]

Sure, nobody is saying that there aren't plenty of players who'll play for a Canadian based team. NOBODY HAS SAID THAT! The issue is, if you miss out on even a small % of players, it could be the difference between going to the finals and an early exit. The league is to competitive to have a handi-cap like that.

[@iansteelmatheson]

@@Bouncer-id1rh yup. the Habs' recent policy (since 2012) of only having francophone coaches is another example of this. difference of course is that it's the company's hiring choices rather than the players'.

[@Bouncer-id1rh]

@@iansteelmatheson Yeah, I don't understand that. I've listen to players forever who have strong accents, wherever they're from. Who cares, you want to get the best players, coaches you can. I live south of Vegas, follow both the Kings & Knights. Because my language is English, what if both franchises said..."English speaking players & coaches only". That would be stupid.

[@vlada]

​​@@Bouncer-id1rhit's a French market, you simply want the coach to address the media in french. So nothing to do with practices or players. You don't have to be french, just do like Marc Crawford did and learn enough to communicate with local media and you will be loved for it. It's not a strange coaching concept in sports across the world. It's not the result but the effort that matters.

[@Bouncer-id1rh]

@@vlada Nobody said it's strange. But what do you do, verify a coach has some rudimentary french speaking skills before he's hired? What if the best candidate has zero speaking skills, do you wait 2 years until he picks up the basics? does he go to night school during the season? See, just that issue could cause a French Canadian based team to lose out on the perfect coach. Add in the tax scenario, even politics, and with as competitive as the league is, it's enough to create a significant disadvantage. Had A French Canadian team won a few cups in the last 30 years, I'd say moot point here, but they haven't, so it's circumstantial, but factors like these likely are playing a role into those teams difficulties.

[@intentionaloffside8934]

Perhaps taxation is actually the bigger reason. Desire for privacy and anonymity is the other, not pressure. These guys have been under pressure since they were kids, at every level they played.

[@izaakdejager5064]

When they were kids they didn't have people roasting them on twitter for every little mistake

[@RandallK1968NS]

What a stupid comment ffs

[@TMJ32]

$1M+ a year difference for star players.

[@jonesy7425]

I appreciate this summary the issue. I'm a hockey fan in the US, so I don't have an idea about it.

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

That player's comment about the Toronto market was spot-on. I lived a bit north of Toronto for a time and I remember listening to a sports-talk station up there one day as I was driving back to the U.S. for a weekend getaway. It was August and the Blue Jays were in the middle of a pennant race. The Raptors were coming off a promising season and even the Argonauts were looking promising. Yet almost all of the callers wanted to talk about the Maple Leaf's, even though it was summer and they had stunk it up the year before and were expected to stink it up again. The host became so frustrated he said he would not take anymore calls from callers who wanted to talk about hockey. It was practically crickets. I was a Wings fan and when people would see me wearing a Wings shirt they would ridicule me, telling me how superior their team was to mine. Granted, the Wings had won just won the Cup, giving us four in nine years, and the Maple Leaf's did finish in last place in their division that season and hadn't hoisted the Cup since 1967, so I got where they were coming from. I'm serious too. People would tell me how much better the Leaf's were with a straight face. Right then Toronto fans claimed the #2 spot on my list of obnoxious fanbases, trailing only the Dallas Cowboy fans who nobody can touch when it comes to douche-baggery. So yeah, I get why a guy would say no to Toronto.

[@RC30018]

Leafs and Oilers fans are the most delusional in the NHL they love rub their past success to other fan base like they think it's a flex which pisses me off I hate both those teams and their fans with the burning passion.

[@hatermcdader9566]

I think that the “I don’t want the spotlight” player mentality is the reason the NHL (even in Canada and I live in Edmonton where the best player is) is a dead sport and is stagnating in popularity at best

[@hatermcdader9566]

I should also say that the older fans don’t help when the criticize players for having personalities

[@gangstadrz9326]

Basketball is surpassing hockey with Toronto youth. NHL needs to improve.

[@JakeStevyson]

@@gangstadrz9326 also Soccer(football) as well, however with recently problem with Canada Soccer and CPL in particular. They need adjustment for the sports.

[@morrisalanisette9067]

its just a different culture. hockey players comes from private schools and mostly upper class families. baseball players / nba dudes are just guys off the street. i mean look at how often its the european players like Ovechkin who has most personality. why? in those countries the people playing hockey aren't wealthy because the rinks are outside and anyone can use it, so they are just normal dudes off the street same as basketball players here. you dont have to be wealthy to play hockey, but you have to be wealthy to get into the good hockey teams and training programs which is necessary for going pro

[@dougsundseth6904]

If I were a hockey player, I wouldn't sign a contract with a Canadian team. I don't want to live in Canada and I don't want to pay Canadian taxes. (I would also not sign a contract with a team in California, New York, or New Jersey, for many of the same reasons.) If I were Canadian, I might well not want to sign a contract with a US team. I don't see this as problematic in any way. But then I think the whole "You must indenture yourself for years to the team that drafts you" thing to be pretty offensive.

[@cariopuppetmaster]

It's not offensive at all to suggest that a good moral hockey player should play with a Canadian one rather than a barbarian one

[@Bouncer-id1rh]

@@cariopuppetmaster Who are they barbarians?

[@TheEarthKingdom]

It shouldn't matter, just play for the best team and become legend.

[@dmfaccount1272]

The indentured thing is a bit silly, really players can consider themselves employees of the league and teams are just locations where they can be assigned to work similar to any other company. Regular people have jobs where they get asked to go work in a plant or office in other places as well and we don't call them indentured servants...

[@morrisalanisette9067]

you mke a good point that USA in general is more exciting for someoen who grew up in canada, especially if youre wealthy in the US. It's the funnest place to be if you're rich. why would you want to stay in smelly ol' canada anyway. and most of my favorite things are from canada, weirdly enough. hockey, trailer park boys, norm macdonald are my favorite things. But who the fuck wants to live in canada

[@doodlebob2023]

cant be fun with the media and fans telling you to off yourself for every little mistake

[@isthatujeebus]

Pretty understandable tbh. No single player can win a cup so if they feel the team isn't there around them and/or management isn't going to change that anytime soon, why consign yourself to not even having a chance of winning a cup for X number of years?

[@timjummichuck]

Hence why Edmonton will never win another cup and I laugh at Oiler's fans

[@icedo1013]

This is why comparing basketball players to hockey players is apples to oranges. A single player can be the overwhelming reason a basketball team wins a ring playing 95% of their team's minutes, but no hockey player is out there playing even 2/3 of any game, and usually barely even half. Hockey is intrinsically a team sport, and clout chasing (for lack of a more savory term) the teams that bring the most recognition is a losing game. I guess the parallel would be vets hopping to a promising team for a cup before they go, but even then they show up to add support, not to steal the show.

[@MetalLeviathan]

I love the one two of “you have to be built different” and “no one has found this winning formula” because it beautifully encapsulates the problem. It’s putting the onus on the players to be tougher while acknowledging that even among the worlds top athletes no one has yet been tough enough to crack it and yet “softer” teams in “weaker” markets have managed to have success.

[@RRaquello]

Not mentioned here, but there are also political issues involved, especially post-COVID and the difference of the response to COVID in the US and Canada. Canada kept locked down for more than a year after the US unlocked. I also saw an interview with Andy Sutton on the Shane O'Brien-Scottie Upshall podcast where Sutton, a good ol' Canadian boy if there ever was one, talked about settling in Nashville and "living the American dream," talking about his successful business down here in the states, and hinting at and coming pretty close to saying that the same life wouldn't be possible in the Trudeau Canada of COVID lockdowns and free speech crackdowns. Even more telling than what teams players choose to play for will be where they choose to settle when their careers are over.

[@MrRaziza]

What a half-baked take. First off, he's been involved with *many* businesses down in the states, most of which occurred before the pandemic, some even before JT was Prime Minister. Verbero specifically existed since 2009 in the US, and he joined as CEO in 2019. He brought it out of California. When he mentioned "living the American dream", he was talking about moving from California to Tennessee, and the only "hinting" at anything was him saying people had good Christian values, were decent, and had common sense down there. Sure, it's a loaded thing to say, you can draw a lot of conclusions from it, but Covid, JT, Canada, none of that was even implied. So unless you're talking about a completely different episode, you're straight up imagining. Reality is the vast majority of these guys are multi-millionaires, and the US is naturally more appealing if you have money from the tax rate, value of the dollar, and prime destinations for retirement. Starting a business there, or joining up with one like he did, just makes more sense, and that has been true regardless of who was in office up north.

[@dleatherman4539]

Let's face the truth that not many want to say: The vocal majority of Leafs fans and media need to balance their life a bit more. They are too hyper-focused on every little tiny thing Leafs, and nobody likes a micro-manager or a back seat driver. And judging from the comments section posts of most Leafs fans, again the vocal ones and not Canadians in general, they are not the brightest. The word "Psychotic" comes up often when people outside of Canada speak to me about their interactions with Leaf fans. Relax, it's a game. Passion is great, but never go "full ret**d."

[@Kevinc2828]

Oh you mean dont do like Americans when it comes to the NFL and MLB and NASCAR and the NBA . You could have just said dont act like AMERICANS it would of saved ur self some typing .

[@dleatherman4539]

@@Kevinc2828 speaking of psychotics...what the bloody f**k are you on about?

[@ziggle5000]

Interesting use of the word "majority"

[@neonblack4486]

Oh ya but habs fans or any other Canadian fan isn’t like this? Every leaf fan I met in real life were chill, and more depressed if anything since the leafs are so bad, not psychotic

[@richardsiemion5903]

Vegas, Dallas, Florida and Tampa are teams with 0% income tax. Those 4 teams have appeared in the finals 7 times in the past 6 years. I rest my case.

[@Jaymsie.]

4:07 yes it’s an issue. It’s a big issue. I’m from the GTA, and I’ve long considered whether or not the Leafs ability to win a cup was contingent upon the media pressure here. Question is what can we do about it?

[@ektran4205]

also pressure from die fans

[@catdee609]

The media is intense but I think its overblown to a degree. I think media pressures is just one of the major considerations a player factors along with, money, taxes, travel, and weather. The immediate reaction to media pressure is "make a mistake and they'll eat you alive" but the opposite can be true as well. Players come in and win over the hearts of fans and they are beloved despite mistakes. The media will always have their flavor of the week but I expect these pro athletes especially someone like Gudas to be able to block out the noise as they would do in American markets as well. So lets take a look at Gudas for a second. Anaheim signed him for $4m AAV for 3 seasons. That's more money than Edmonton, Toronto, or Calgary could have offered without having to move pieces out the door. All three teams have less than $1M in available cap space. Anaheim by comparison has over $8M available in cap space right now. By signing in Anaheim he's inked the largest AAV contract he's ever had. Now, it can't be all about money because California is going to tax his pants off. But what about weather and general amenities? A guy like Radko can be a highly paid pro hockey player in L.A / Anaheim and never get recognized in public. They like that. Look at Messi shopping at Publix in Miami without anyone batting an eye. Weather / amenities / and recognition play a role as well. By comparison a player in Edmonton will get spotted and will get approached by fans on the street because they are essentially royalty in the city. At the end of the day he's not going to say "money, weather, travel" etc as his reasoning. It's easy to blame Canadian media and fandom. The reality is many more factors exist. I do find it odd for a pro athlete to turn down playoff teams citing "pressures" when their primary driver should be a stanley cup and winning - but in this case we know its not - its money and weather and the draw of living in L.A. I don't blame the guy but its not just because of scary media attention.

[@brucebridger4513]

They also see how tyranical our lockdowns were

[@James-nv1wf]

Don't get how they even find time to care what the media thinks, don't they have games, practice, wives, a family, a life. Just ignore it.

[@anthonys3631]

as well they should stay off social media sites. Delete their twitter, facebook accounts, instagram, etc. Ignore the outside noise.

[@nickcharette202]

Very nice way to describe hockey 👏

[@jimclarence5441]

IMO, the biggest drawback isn't Canada, but the geographic locations of many of the destinations. Calgary/Edmonton/Winnipeg and even Vancouver are "isolated" destinations, especially if you're an East Coaster. Montreal with its French restrictions might not be attractive to players with working wives and children. I live in the Toronto area, and feel the media is very soft on its teams and players. So while a lot of media, certainly not harsh.

[@wayne6777]

A flight from Calgary to New York is 4hrs 45mins. Dallas to New York is 3hrs 25mins. Toronto to New York is 1hr 40mins. If you fall asleep on the plane you won’t even notice the difference. It’s not like it’s a four day rail journey. The issues are the media, fans, taxes and weather. Jarome Iginla loved Calgary but settled down in Boston after his career was over because he liked the relative anonymity. He can’t do _anything_ in Calgary without drawing 50 people around him.

[@morrisalanisette9067]

even still it's still a hassle. I mean i live less than 2 hours from new york but its still a pain in the ass to drive there. its still better just living in a good area. just cuz something makes sense logically doesn't mean anything. like an hour and a half drive seems like a hassle, yet i'll sit and watch youtube for an hour and a half. Sure, technically, driving a car is just sitting around doing nothing. there are Psychological barriers that you cant just deconstruct in that way@@wayne6777

[@johnholmes8919]

the toronto media is soft on players? are you being sarcastic? you had me going there for a minute

[@jimclarence5441]

@@johnholmes8919 There's lot media, but yes they are soft on the Leaf players and really whole organization.

[@picklenik9658]

@@jimclarence5441there’s no fuckin way you just said the media is soft on the leafs. Typically Torontonian

[@haysbrickell9579]

There is a lot of passion for hockey in Canada, but the same can be said for certain areas of the U.S. While it is true no Canadian team has won the cup in 30 years, literally hundreds of Canadian players have played on cup winners in that same time span. Here in Vegas the vast majority of the roster is Canadian. They're great guys and great players and seem to enjoy living and playing here. I know I'm really glad they are here.

[@adamderrick606]

I live in Minneapolis, MN, arguably the biggest hockey hotspot in the US. The Wild has been a playoff embarrassment since their existence but the media does not get on them that much. Fans and media are disappointed in the playoff losses but then they move on to the NFL, MLB or NBA teams. I think in Canada the pressure is a lot higher in the NHL. Of course, high school and college hockey is very big here, probably bigger than the Wild, so unfortunately a lot of the toxicity usually directed at pro players is actually directed at youth and amateur players/coaches because that is where the passion is.

[@mikepurdue7472]

The NHL wont allow a Canadian victory.

[@akronik]

vegas is bribing players with hookers and blow. and hotdogs......

[@terryc.3624]

More and more nhl rosters -- have many Euros and US players, good for the game EH..

[@cheryla7480]

@@terryc.3624All NHL players for every American team and Canadian team still consists of approx. 52% Canadian teams. The other 48% are Americans, Russians, Czechs, Finns, Slovaks, Germans etc. The 2023 winning team the Las Vegas Golden Knights team consisted of……18 Canadians, 5 Americans, 3 Russians, 2 Swedes and 1 Slovak.. Of all the on ice officials 90% are Canadian, so Canada remains well represented in NHL hockey teams.

[@billmurray1431]

Great video bud. Well done.

[@Winamp_]

What about the taxes in Canada vs USA? Wouldnt that also play a big part why none wanna play for Canadian teams? I mean the salary becomes essentially quite a bit lower in Canada vs some states in USA after the taxes are done Id assume?

[@happytrails151]

don't underestimate the recent moves by the Canadian Revenue Agency (like our IRS) that closed a loophole that allowed pro sports players to avoid some taxation. Imo saying it's about the pressure is just a stock answer that is generally acceptable. Lately things seem more anti-Canadian than usual and it coincides with these rule changes

[@caseysmith544]

How about something that semes Canadian but is not? In the Canadian Parliament they are forcing some things to try to be more Canadian like the KZbin people who work in Canada because the government Sees KZbin as TV or Radio and the way that was apparently changed in the 1970's with no affect. So they either have to have content about Canada or use strictly Canadian work force on KZbin, essentially cutting people off from working in with USA in video chat or the like. Then even trying to on KZbin get some who have dual citizenship and live in USA to be screwed over by the laws becuse they do not work with exclusively Canadian Content or can find like a Film person/small editing crew who is Canadian and possibly having to renounce the Canadian Citizenship despite being born in Canada. This also screws over some who are at least 1/2 Canadian by way of parents but were never born in Canada getting taken advantage of by a loophole this law.

[@dmfaccount1272]

Salary cap system is biased against places with higher taxes as is, there's no reason some sort of adjustment to cap for cities with higher tax shouldnt be worked in as the whole point of salary cap is to make a fair playing field. If there was no cap the leafs could pay their players more than even no tax states Inthe US because they bring in that much more money.

[@ellec5584]

@@dmfaccount1272and then that wouldn’t be fair to the teams that have a lower cap that have the good fortune of being in a low tax state that ALSO has the revenue to pay higher salaries. Maybe if Canadian teams don’t want taxes to be a turn off for players, they should do something about it and campaign for lower taxes.

[@jonathanvieira5494]

@@ellec5584 Canadians love socialism, but they can’t figure out why no rich people wanna live there 😂 Not even there celebrities want to live there

[@mymonitor1348]

This will soon change. In time, Canada's new national sport will be cricket. No more pressure or excuses.

[@JT-bc5cd]

Hockey will decline as a sport entirely thanks to the third world migration displacing the European second-nations of our continent. Hilarious too is that Cricket is actually a European descended sport too, but will be dominated by South Asians in any case.

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

play neutral zone puck possession?

[@gujikujtutu2330]

Also, although I'm not sure, but doesn't Radko have to pay taxes twice, in Czechia and California (I don't know how high the taxes are there compared to Ontario).

[@Bouncer-id1rh]

Taxes are paid where the work is done. For instance, players pay their local & states taxes where they reside, but also pay local & state taxes(if applies) where they worked(played a game). So if a player for example made 100,000, and half that income is made outside of the state he resides, than his taxable income in the state he lives would be 50,000. Federal taxes would be the same, i.e., based on his overall income. Some taxes paid out of state can be deductible on his state income taxe he resides in. It's very complicated, that's why tax attorney's & CPA's exist.

[@gujikujtutu2330]

@@Bouncer-id1rh Ok, thx

[@joshdaley3061]

You are talking about American hockey players not wanting to Canada and wanting to play in there home country for the most part, but yes more and more Canadians are liking the idea of playing in the states, because of taxes, life style and weather

[@caseysmith544]

Especially with more and more southern and Southwest USA markets popping up then before in the 1990's to 2010's.

[@penelop96]

Lots of NHL players just want to collect a paycheck and be left alone. There is little to no loyalty to the team they play for and to the fans who pay exorbitant ticket prices to go to the games. The money is pretty much all that matters to them. They’d rather play in markets where hockey comes after the other major sports and where there is less media and fan scrutiny. Of course, taxes and weather are contributing factors too.

[@morrisalanisette9067]

thats mostly true but you gotta think of why its like that. they are also quite expendable and can be traded or scratched whenever. the feeling is mutual. same reason why you can't have blind loyalty to your employer who will lay you off at a moment's notice. i think there are however players who really do love an organization. most players would like to stay at a good organization for their whole career. Like say the blackhawks, penguins, the capitals. most of the core has stuck around and doesnt want to leave until kane recenly i guess

[@Joseph-rx9tp]

like last years finals. Vegas and Florida. No state income tax. Nice weather. no hockey culture.

[@Thetruthhurts708]

I'm willing to sign with any Canadian team.

[@billcoppens4286]

I find it kinda strange that the last Canadian team to win the cup was Montreal in 1993. Does anyone find it coincidental that that was the same year Bettman became the commissioner in 1993?? Gary if you happen to read this take yourself out of hockey because I'm tired of seeing American teams winning the cup year after year. It's time for a Canadian team to show its might which they can. There are a few Canadian teams that have the right players but for some reason they're consistently holding back. It time for a Canadian team to hoist the cup. After all its our game

[@D.Wagner2]

😂😂 get over yourselves. Maybe your teams just suck. Hilarious how Bettman is the boogeyman to Canadians 😂😂

[@billcoppens4286]

It's easy to say that if your American. We're not whining about it We're just talking about the odds. Ya we have less teams but we also have some of the best players in the NHL. Not to mention that most players in the NHL that have gone on to American teams and won the cup over those 30 years were Canadian. Calculate the odds and you'll see that a Canadian team should have won the cup over those 30 years.

[@jackoblllllllll]

People calling Gudas pathetic for not wanting the pressure when they themselves don’t have to face a fraction of it is itself pretty pathetic. There are things to criticize about the guy but not this.

[@Bouncer-id1rh]

Nice comment.

[@jackoblllllllll]

@@Bouncer-id1rh thank you

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

so long as original six win every now and then?

[@brendansullivan2011]

Why don't baseball players avoid the Yankees, or basketball players avoid the Knicks or Lakers, or football players avoid the Cowboys? I don't think its a pressure thing, professional athletes thrive on pressure. I think it mostly has to do with taxation and lifestyle.

[@stevesauriol9024]

I understand the pressure aspect but what of the salary Do players in Canada get paid in USD or Canadian and same of taxes considering Canada as higher tax rate then US

[@singethecringe5873]

HP is a Bettman shill hiding the conspiracy that the NHL does not want Canadian teams to win the Cup! (Just kidding.)

[@hockeypsychology]

How did you know? Lol

[@DarkDramon]

Hopefully it'll get to the point where team management/ownership will reign in the media.

[@unaccompaniedseal4035]

lol

[@davidkruse4030]

What does that mean?

[@Unholy_Louie]

... Riiiight

[@user-wg8mf5sg9d]

Forsberg hated playing in Quebec. But when they relocate he love it in Denver.

[@JakeStevyson]

Source?

[@BigMac785]

@@JakeStevysontrust me bro - every local Canadian media

[@robmessa5402]

It's 90% about the taxes. 10% about the crappy weather. The end. The rest is imaginary.

[@Toews1247]

its a split nate thompson on a podcast said he liked the pressure in winnipeg and some players just dont like and its the same in pit boston chigago detroit new york and even buffalo

[@gregorybiestek3431]

Not really. I live in Detroit, am a Wings fan since the Dead Wings era and even here Hockey players can expect time from about week after the end of Cup finals to about a week before the season starts to have zero pressure. Players are treated like notable, but every day people who you see in the store, etc. In the 90s I lived a block or so from one of Wings and all we ever did was wave to each other in passing, no talk or requests for signatures. My kid was a couple years older than his but went to the same school and the only time I remember the school asking him to do anything was to donate some stuff for our annual auction. US hockey markets give players at least 3 months of zero pressure.

[@Toews1247]

@@gregorybiestek3431 know what u mean live close to winnipeg and a friend lived by toewses house there and we would always see him wave and say hi and hed return and i didnt type that right i mean i meant media pressure but and same with toewses lake house we would see him on the lakewave and stuff and i know he didnt play. here but it was same with the jets players

[@malcolmapplet4313]

Nate Thompson, dude played 844 games. Respect. I always kept 1/2 an eye on him from his Tampa days.

[@Toews1247]

@@malcolmapplet4313 ya hes a beuty

[@RonBaker456]

Great content. Watched hockey in the 80's and 90's and Canada always had some great teams. Makes sense, especially with the ultra rabid fan base capable of making your life miserable for just one mistake in the wrong game. Humans are funny animals.

[@tubingforever]

Two reasons: 1. Canadian teams don't win. 2. Canadian taxes will eat up too much of your salary.

[@devildog_iii3492]

Friends that played for Canadian teams said their income tax is crazy. Why they didn’t wanna play there.

[@mickeyjohn2442]

Poor babies... Must be tough making millions and having people adore you...the nerve of the fans...Hockey is entertainment...you are a hockey player/entertainer...Part of getting the big money is the fan adulation and notoriety...No matter how tough it is being a hockey player...try being a roofer in July.

[@laughingbeast4481]

But part of getting big money is NOT an abuse. That's the point.

[@ga6257]

I feel like this is the same case for the minnesota vikings for football. There's so much pressure to win the superbowl since they havent even been close as of late that it's making it harder to accomplish it.

[@steelcom5976]

Are we saying that hockey players are soft? I kinda figured that. NFL, NBA and MLB players get savaged all the time and they don`t complain.

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

more focus on attractive games during regular season?

[@noahmatthew6658]

This has been known for a long time. I think a contributing factor is how the pandemic was handled

[@Afterlife7377]

Gretzky & Messier wanted to team up in Hartford together

[@dimitar297]

The totally real and dangerous pandemic lol

[@Bouncer-id1rh]

@@dimitar297 But you're still alive.

[@bluegreybaby]

This was a talked about issue well before the pandemic lol

[@Redmenace96]

@@Bouncer-id1rh Trying to understand your comment? Anyone, including pro hockey players, should be grateful to be alive? The govt. response was the most important factor in deciding life/death for me? Is that what you are saying?

[@TheOriginalTuhat]

KZbin’s best hockey channel

[@DM0407]

It would be a bad look to say, but Canada has a much higher income tax and must factor a little into the decision Your paying close to 50% income tax in Toronto . Nevada and Florida don't have an income tax. Last four Stanley Cup winners? The league should find a way to equalize the player salary after taxes to avoid tax haven teams getting the best free agents.

[@Sincopare]

Minnesota has a huge hockey following, and a passionate fan base. Even when struggling, games are sold out. Media does criticize. Yet there is a difference somehow. It would be out of line to confront a player or coach.

[@terryc.3624]

Obama put 87,000 Muslims into your once was a beautiful state,they love hockey..

[@mokawi]

That Canadiens' 1993 was majority Québécois. Maybe that pressure is easier to take if you have your family around? Or if the pressure comes from ppl you can identify with?

[@Galvaxatron]

What these players are also not saying is that the extremely high Canadian taxes, the cold Canadian winters and the American wives preferring to stay in their home country are all factors. Two other things which have annoyed players recently were the insanely overbearing Covid restrictions in Canada, and the constant push to virtue signal woke progressive dogma. Canada went too far with the Covid restrictions and a lot of players and their families were fed up with it. And people forget that MANY hockey players are conservative/libertarian and/or religious(or simply anti-woke), and they don't want to be forced to be activists for things they don't believe in. So if you add all of these factors together, including the media pressure, why would you not choose to play in America?

[@athanagames]

ew redneck

[@timomajere]

Taxes. The freaking taxes. They all have other claims, but the taxes taking over 15% immediately and then expecting YOU to fill tax forms to show them how much MORE they should take from you. Canadian Athletes can often have almost 10% of their salary just being taxes.

[@jeffreycairns767]

Taxes is NOT the issue

[@Gum_Cuzzler]

@@jeffreycairns767The issue is the salary cap. Taxes shouldn’t matter because big hockey markets should be able to compensate for them with fat contracts southern states with less revenue can’t match. Problem is, they can’t. So there is no benefit to playing in traditional hockey markets to the players other than maybe endorsement deals. The system is designed to disadvantage traditional hockey markets.

[@Mike-ix5sv]

For high earners like professional athletes taxes are 50% in Canada way more than the states

[@jeffreycairns767]

@Gum_Cuzzler True but it's also double taxing. If a player plays on a Canadian team then they pay the Canadian tax but if they reside in America, they also have to pay American taxes. It's America's way of making sure they get their piece too.

[@Semaj2326]

As a Devils fan and an American, I hope this doesn't continue to be the trend. I already feel like certain markets like Buffalo and Columbus basically have no chance as nearly every time they have a star player they leave the first chance they get, which is why I was happy for Columbus when they signed Gaudreau. I didn't think he was the best fit for our team anyway and I am glad he turned us down because Meier is a way better fit for us. It has to be depressing to be in a market where you feel like you don't have a chance to have a truly great team or have any sustained success. In the MLB you see it where a small market team is good for 1-2 years but then falls off the face of the earth because they have to trade away all their good players because they can't afford to pay them. I know all about how it feels to have star players leave. I was a fan when guys like Gomez, Rafalski, Parise, and Kovalchuk left and Hall wouldn't re-sign. Finally having a big time player like Hamilton sign here was an amazing feeling. I was a little nervous that Bratt and/or Meier were gonna continue this trend. It seems that we are becoming a more attractive destination for players this time. Even during the Lou years that wasn't the case. I would like to see a Canadian team win a Cup soon, I think the only team that has a shot at the moment is the Oilers. It would suck if the Leafs lose Matthews, Marner, and Nylander, then the Oilers lose McDavid and Draisaitl in 3 years. In terms of the pressure, one thing I think fans need to realize is that it's different from what it was years ago as all these players have social media. It's one thing to complain about a player on your own social media accounts and fan pages but saying negative things to a player on twitter or instagram is extremely foul. Most people who do that would never say that to a player's face, not just because they're afraid to get beat up but because it wouldn't feel good. Also berating a player in public when you see them is also crossing a line in my opinion. I remember seeing a video of some guy following McDavid around and chirping him when he was leaving a restaurant with his freaking FAMILY.

[@canadiansoviet]

I'm from Edmonton and I can say this: The modern feminist movement has created a gigantic public disdain for any successful males. Naturally, sports teams in Edmonton (Elks and Oilers) are getting next to any sympathy when it comes to what they do at large. Feminists don't care because they are successful at something they see as irrelevant. Fans are fair-weather and when you fail, the Edmonton media obliterates them. Bottom line is this: The culture of Oiler Hockey has fundamentally changed. Other players over the years have dipped out and went on to experience success on other teams. Cam Talbot, Patrick Maroon, Justin Schultz, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle to name a few.

[@Semaj2326]

@@canadiansoviet I hate third wave intersectional feminism to death but what does that have to do with this?

[@canadiansoviet]

@Semaj2326 It exists there too and they take it out on the athletes because they see them as "privileged." It's the "destroy the patriarchy" mentality especially the successful males.

[@WhyAreYouRunning356]

I always thought the taxes were the main reason

[@The_Room_2_Doggys_Revenge]

then how do you explain so many players signing long-term, big contracts for Canadian teams in recent years?

[@pointswithlips]

Players are soft these days walking out of hotels and into rinks looking like they should be on Netflix not the ice.

[@UnhingedCanadian]

Guys who don’t want to play in Canada cause “pressure” are just the I want my paycheque and do my job. The players that want to play in Canada are the players who play for the love of the game and they understand the pressure because they understand the passion the fans have even if it’s negative sometimes.

[@D.Wagner2]

😂😂😂

[@lt851]

I’d rather take the multi-million dollar contract in a market where I’m not crucified by the sports press. Not sure why you’re getting idealistic about the concept

[@beerbellyjoker7532]

Think it has anything to do with Canada's PM and the rate of exchange $?

[@user-xg8ig6zx5r]

Canada should make their own hockey league and only allow Canadian players.

[@erat91]

I've been saying this for 3 decades now; Mississauga needs their own team. It would be the best thing that could happen to Toronto. But they never would, can't take a fan base away...

[@raysat7256]

This is why i love the Detroit Redwings. From the owners down its a differnet atmosphere

[@Afterlife7377]

The city smells like moldy chicken

[@senateurs1]

I think WAG's are a big reason for it. The scrutiny and pressure is affecting them more than the players. Then there is the winters. Finally we're taxed into oblivion in Canada.

[@dmfaccount1272]

Look at tax rate of Ontario and compare it to LA and NY. You will be suprised how similar they are.

[@grandmastermario3695]

I can't imagine how blue jays feel being the only Canadian team not to mention 162 games a year not including playoffs.

[@frequentsee3815]

One of the many reasons I'm happy to be a Red Wings fan. A large majority of the dedicated fanbase is knowledgeable & most of our fans are very classy. Aside from Helene St. James, most of the media press are pretty cool & classy.. but the hard questions do get brought up. I can't imagine rooting for a team that eats its own the way some fanbases do. Disclaimer: The Detroit Lions fans do this worse than the Toronto Leafs; I'm just explicitly stating for the Red Wings.

[@fernandanascimento6562]

I get what youre saying but if you look at other sports like soccer, American football, formula 1 and others you'll realize they all face media pressure (many more than some of these Canadian teams). You can't play in the champions league if you're not used to the pressure and media scrutiny, also fans there are crazier they protest, threat and harassed the players and the team. But you is more meaningful to play for Madrid, Manchester and so on, and its known if they don't perform the media will talk abt most of the time in a not very good away. I'm not saying I think this is right by any means but it doesn't scare them, they don't go to a team tanking knowing they won't win anything just bc of the media, weather and taxes. I'm not American or Canadian and maybe that's why I find so odd this statement anyway.

[@High_Caliber]

I'm a Canadian, and a hockey fan, and I understand 100% why they don't want to play here.

[@jonathanvieira5494]

I don’t get it many American markets have massive pressure in other sports and players love it, soccer in Europe is very pressure heavy and best players all go there, hockey has this mentality where players want to hide from the limelight to where in other sports they love it

[@jonbenjisnomore7935]

Excellent commentary. It's harder than most fans realize living in a fish bowl or under the constant surveliance & presence of these Phone(y)Cells (prison cells of cameras everywhere its like living under a magnifying glass which can get pretty hot under intense light. ) Then there's the issue of thousands possibly millions of TOXIC TONGUES & TOXIC TALK ripping & tearing these athletes apart. Neil Peart & Rush addressed this issue in their hit song "Limelight" imo. Part of the solution for this is what Costner said in Draft Day (disconnect & don't do social media & media) that's what sports agents, GM's & coaches & team physcologists should be suggesting to their players. Imo.

[@stevenkunzer7289]

This is very similar to what happens in NY with the Mets and Yankees. In 2022 the first half of year the Yankees were on a roll and the fans still went out of their way to boo and heckle Aaron Hicks basically the guy on the team struggling. You pay your money you can boo, good for you, but just know it is absolutely NOT helping your team. Also in 2021 the Mets players were basically playing against their fans Lindor was getting booed every at bat basically from the 10th game of the season on. The media breaking down every sneeze and every moment of everything is definitely not helping a team, the team’s in those markets that win have to be incredibly mentally tough.

[@bigrich6075]

As a Yankee fan, Thank you for pointing it out.

[@anthonytiramani-ct3tt]

1. Taxes 2. Pressure from Media/Toxic fans 3. Weather 4. Play for crappy organisations/teams that will never get the cup. 5. Weather 6. Being able to do your grocery without being recognise by fans.

[@eibbor171]

so to sum it up they're just soft

[@anthonytiramani-ct3tt]

@@eibbor171 nope.. given any choice only idiots would take the worst option. They are not soft.. they are smart.

[@eibbor171]

@@anthonytiramani-ct3tt the things you listed spells out soft to me. Except for taxes that makes sense and is totally understandable

[@anthonytiramani-ct3tt]

@@eibbor171 ok let’s put aside the pressure / toxic fans and media. You’re given two choices Play in Florida where you get to swim in your pool all year.. live your life without having to smile, nods, talk to fan everytime you go out.. Or .. Live in Winnipeg… Ok i chose the worst scenario but still ..

[@eibbor171]

@@anthonytiramani-ct3tt calgary and i would love to talk to fans as they are the ones that buy tickets,merch..etc and by extension pay my bills plus i dont mind the cold as im not soft plus i can have my own rink in my backyard and its not like they live outside

[@ShyBri41]

I watch 5 seconds of this before knowing it’s a waste of time. In the past 30 years, the Habs, Canucks, Oilers, Flames, and Sens have all made cup finals, both the flames and oil losing in 7. The best player in the game - by far - signed a max term deal here in Edmonton. Canadian teams, leafs included, have been highly competitive and still are. People don’t want to play here in the same way no one wanted to play for the Boston Red Sox when they hadn’t won for 86 years (that’s sarcasm) Stop making junk content about the game

[@YT0091]

I think this analysis is spot on. Too much pressure and too high of taxes.

[@zackeryedwards4186]

So there was no pressure on Ovechkin to win a cup in Washington after all their second round exits year after year?

[@davidlinehat4657]

There was a ton of pressure on him and the team until they finally won a cup. I think he might be a special case, though. He's one of the best athletes to play for Washington in any sport and there will always be some amount of pressure that comes with that. That doesn't change the fact that DC is a football city and even in the NFL off-season, the media focuses more on the Redskins/Commodores than on the Caps. This gives local NHL players a level of anonymity. I've seen Ovi on the street a couple of times and as recognizable as he is to hockey fans, he basically blends in to the crowd here. Hell, once I saw the entire team at a bar together after practice and nobody was bothering them. Add that to decently low taxes (most athletes here live in Virginia) and general quality of life and you can see why DC a desirable destination. I think Canada could come up with some tax exemptions for hockey players.

[@JohnB-mo4kq]

To all NHL players who want out of Canada. Come to Minnesota, we may not have the salary cap, but we're basically Canada and actually treat our players well in the stands.

[@JohnB-mo4kq]

@@Reedjohnmiller I was obviously joking around, and yeah, because we have no choice for the next two years at least. The Suter/Parise disaster set us back 10-20yrs. But yes, we are dedicated fans, and generally fill the rink even when we suck.

[@eddiemin4312]

Hang in there, you guys have a stockpile of good prospects

[@JohnB-mo4kq]

@@eddiemin4312 That's what I keep hearing, but I'm not convinced. I sure hope you and the journalist’s are right. You can't win without a big first line center, and that's just statistics.

[@BM_2002]

I'm a Jets fan and I get embarrassed by how a lot of Jets fans treat certain players, while I look at other fanbases they have nothing but love and respect for their stars while 75% of Jets fans have a "What have you done for me lately" attitude. Blake Wheeler was the heart & soul of the Jets and did a lot for the city of Winnipeg fans still hated him, Scheifele led the Jets with 42 goals this past season, fans still complained and want him gone which make us look toxic. Proud Winnipegger and Jets fan but it's hard to blame players not wanting to come here when the fans are gonna treat them like Hitler.

[@timhenderson9794]

Add that to the fact of also living in Winnipeg lol

[@jenniferrose5007]

right!! and not to mention they are actual people, they have lives outside of hockey. a lot of them are very private. we don't know what is going on in their personal lives that could affect the way they play on the ice. i personally believe the more we keep them in this toxic bubble that we created the team won't go anywhere.