Are there any American cities that are less desirable to an American who has no connections than Canadian cities?

[Bjornar Moxnes]

So with all the drama of Americans refusing to play in Canada, what are some American cities that are even less desirable if said American doesn't have a connection there?

Three I can think of are Detroit, Buffalo, and Columbus.

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[Minnesota Knudsens]

St. Paul comes to mind, but I guess you could live in, or closer to, Minneapolis which is a bit nicer. But heck, it’s no Vegas or Fort Lauderdale/Miami.

The question is: Is it still preferable to a place like Winnipeg, or does it lack the ridiculous pressure of playing in a market like Toronto or Montreal? Heck even the other Canadian cities, you probably can’t walk down the street without being recognized/harassed.

 

[wintersej]

Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal are amazing cities.

It’s not the city, it’s the microscope.

 

[HarrySPlinkett]

St. Paul comes to mind, but I guess you could live in, or closer to, Minneapolis which is a bit nicer. But heck, it’s no Vegas or Fort Lauderdale/Miami.

The question is: Is it still preferable to a place like Winnipeg, or does it lack the ridiculous pressure of playing in a market like Toronto or Montreal? Heck even the other Canadian cities, you probably can’t walk down the street without being recognized/harassed.

I assure you, nobody in Calgary cares enough about the Flames to “harass” players.

 

[Minnesota Knudsens]

I assure you, nobody in Calgary cares enough about the Flames to “harass” players.

I was just thinking about the “McDavid goes to buy beer” thread from a few weeks back lol. The Flames’ problem seems more organizational to me. Old building with old facilities, owner that just wants playoff revenue, Darryl Sutter going off the rails, etc.

 

[JackSlater]

Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal are amazing cities.

It’s not the city, it’s the microscope.

Yeah basically the answer to the thread would be "most" without knowing anything else. It depends on what the player wants.

 

[Minnesota Knudsens]

Yeah basically the answer to the thread would be "most" without knowing anything else. It depends on what the player wants.

Yeah I would imagine that once you get past

- tax advantages
- weather advantages
- city that never sleeps/nightlife advantages

Most other markets offer a lot of “the same”.

 

[Lshap]

Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal are amazing cities.

It’s not the city, it’s the microscope.

Adding to this, the microscope isn't from the fans, it's almost entirely the media, and even then only around game-time. Canadian markets might have 20 reporters packed into the dressing room versus three or four in smaller American markets. But in between games nobody's stalking hockey players in Canada. Players will be contacted for interviews and sponsorships, but I'd guess that would go through agents or the org.

As for fans, from decades of personal observation I'd say 99% are respectable and would never harass a player. I've bumped into Beliveau and Gainey, had a few restaurant encounters with Lafleur, Robinson, and Carbonneau, and never once saw anyone invade their space or even sneak a selfie. Most I've seen is a handful of fans wave and smile.

 

[LeProspector]

Probably Salt Lake City

 

[spintheblackcircle]

So with all the drama of Americans refusing to play in Canada, what are some American cities that are even less desirable if said American doesn't have a connection there?

Three I can think of are Detroit, Buffalo, and Columbus.

America's fastest growing city, top 5 for young professionals?

Columbus has the most population growth out of any metropolitan in U.S. – here’s why

Move over, Los Angeles and San Francisco – sure, you may have palm trees, mountains, and skyscrapers, but frankly, people don’t want to live there anymore, and they’re flocking to other cities instead.

614now.com

 

[PhysicalGraffiti]

Los Angeles.

 

[Whitewolfgang]

St. Louis might make someone's no-fly list.

 

[Minnesota Knudsens]

America's fastest growing city, top 5 for young professionals?

Columbus has the most population growth out of any metropolitan in U.S. – here’s why

Move over, Los Angeles and San Francisco – sure, you may have palm trees, mountains, and skyscrapers, but frankly, people don’t want to live there anymore, and they’re flocking to other cities instead.

614now.com

Interesting, but this article focuses primarily on housing affordability, which is probably not a big problem for decent enough NHL players.

 

[My3Sons]

Don’t some Canadian players not want to play in Canada? It’s got to be a combination of the apparent media negativity and that small percentage of fans who overdo it which are in much smaller supply in thr US. That aside I’m sure there are players who would enjoy playing in Toronto over a smaller US place they perceive as not being nice in the winter.

 

[squashmaple]

Interesting, but this article focuses primarily on housing affordability, which is probably not a big problem for decent enough NHL players.

Not saying you’re wrong, but you can get a whole lot more house here than you can in California, Florida, or even Tennessee for the same price.

 

[HawksDub89]

I think it has more to do with the fans/media than the actual city. Montreal, TorVancouver seem like great places. But…see the McDavid beer video lol.

 

[Zenos]

America's fastest growing city, top 5 for young professionals?

Columbus has the most population growth out of any metropolitan in U.S. – here’s why

Move over, Los Angeles and San Francisco – sure, you may have palm trees, mountains, and skyscrapers, but frankly, people don’t want to live there anymore, and they’re flocking to other cities instead.

614now.com

Columbus is a lot like Edmonton.

Rapidy growing mid-sized city, big well-regarded public university, government town, great affordability and cost-of-living.

But not a "cool" place for young millionaires. What regular folks find attractive isn't necessarily the same as what prof athletes are into.

 

[Zenos]

St. Paul comes to mind, but I guess you could live in, or closer to, Minneapolis which is a bit nicer. But heck, it’s no Vegas or Fort Lauderdale/Miami.

The question is: Is it still preferable to a place like Winnipeg, or does it lack the ridiculous pressure of playing in a market like Toronto or Montreal? Heck even the other Canadian cities, you probably can’t walk down the street without being recognized/harassed.

Winnipeg isn't really comparable IMO. The Twin Cities are just sooo much larger. I used to live in Winnipeg and it really does feel small market - even compared to other Canadian cities like Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa. MSP is on another level.

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

Seattle and DC definitely don't seem like ideal places to live.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

St. Louis might make someone's no-fly list.

What people always seem to forget when these threads pop up from time to time is people with money are very rarely if ever are going to be exposed to the most negative parts of the cities they choose to live in. Pro hockey players in St. Louis are going to live in Ladue, Wildwood, Chesterfield, Clayton, Town & Country, etc. Not Walnut Park or East St. Louis. It's the same with other cities.

As for the premise of this thread, I think it's misguided. Are there many American UFAs that choose to sign in Canada? No, but there aren't many Canadians that do either. We're only talking about this because of the McGroarty situation, and that has nothing to do with Winnipeg the city. It's more of an opportunity/playing time situation. They have in fact had good success with American players over the years and don't seem to have a problem resigning them.

 

[mr figgles]

Not saying you’re wrong, but you can get a whole lot more house here than you can in California, Florida, or even Tennessee for the same price.

But you have to live in Ohio.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

I bet if the GTA had a second team it would be more desirable than most US cities the NHL really screwed up that one.

 

[Hanji]

Canada seems to offer the extremes. It's either very cosmopolitan 'hip' cities with players living under a critical microscope; or it's Sticksville.

 

[Hanji]

Columbus is a lot like Edmonton.

Rapidy growing mid-sized city, big well-regarded public university, government town, great affordability and cost-of-living.

But not a "cool" place for young millionaires. What regular folks find attractive isn't necessarily the same as what prof athletes are into.

There are a lot of cities like that. Great places to go to school or raise a family, but not very ideal (boring) for young professionals with millions to throw around.

 

[JackSlater]

What people always seem to forget when these threads pop up from time to time is people with money are very rarely if ever are going to be exposed to the most negative parts of the cities they choose to live in. Pro hockey players in St. Louis are going to live in Ladue, Wildwood, Chesterfield, Clayton, Town & Country, etc. Not Walnut Park or East St. Louis. It's the same with other cities.

As for the premise of this thread, I think it's misguided. Are there many American UFAs that choose to sign in Canada? No, but there aren't many Canadians that do either. We're only talking about this because of the McGroarty situation, and that has nothing to do with Winnipeg the city. It's more of an opportunity/playing time situation. They have in fact had good success with American players over the years and don't seem to have a problem resigning them.

This is especially true the older a player is. All of these cities have nice suburbs. Only a few NHL cities have notable nightlife.