Is it time for a Canadian only professional hockey league?

[Viqsi]

I can be obtuse, can you help me understand the freudian slip?

Florida has plenty of state taxes as they need money like any other government. The gripe here is generally about state income taxes. I suspect, tho, that quite a few folks making these complaints don't bother to draw the distinction.

 

[Boonk]

Holy wall of text.

I'm not cheering for your crappy team either but both Winnipeg and Edmonton have the same disadvantages.

You think pld would want to leave for Montreal if he was currently playing in Dallas or florida? You think varlamov would have nixed a trade to Carolina? The pressure is on to win with McDrai because who would want to stay in Edmonton when you could play anywhere.

You think young players want to stay for a discount in Montreal where they already pay the highest taxes in the league and have to deal with idiotic fans?

The deck is stacked against Canadian teams. Posters like to blame management but really it's an almost impossible task to build a winner up here.

It IS the managements and players faults for not winning. Only they are responsible for being able to bring the championship hardware home for the trophy case, the fans and sponsors help with that by purchasing tickets, merchandise and team products, which in turn can lead to more money being spent on better players to improve the team and its chances.

Everyone is well aware of Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Ottawas shortcomings of being small markets in Canada and the NHL. Everyone is aware of the weak Canadian dollar and stringent provincial and federal tax rates. Everyone is aware of the climate and living conditions being unfavourable in Canada compared to what some of the US markets in the league can offer for players. Everyone is aware of the pressure from media and fans that comes with playing for any market in Canada. But how exactly is this Bettmans fault? Since he became commissioner, all of the teams in Canada except Winnipeg and Toronto have been to a Stanley Cup final at least once and had the opportunity to win it. It’s not Bettmans fault that none of those teams were able to win 4 games worth a damn since 1993 in the moment when it mattered. You whining about it doesn’t change the fact.

 

[Faterson]

Overreaction much?

 

[Frank Drebin]

Florida has plenty of state taxes as they need money like any other government. The gripe here is generally about state income taxes. I suspect, tho, that quite a few folks making these complaints don't bother to draw the distinction.

The phrase "No State Tax" is widely used in the hockey world to refer to State Income taxes. Again, not sure why you would think I would be talking about sales or property taxes. Have a good day.

It IS the managements and players faults for not winning. Only they are responsible for being able to bring the championship hardware home for the trophy case, the fans and sponsors help with that by purchasing tickets, merchandise and team products, which in turn can lead to more money being spent on better players to improve the team and its chances.

Everyone is well aware of Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Ottawas shortcomings of being small markets in Canada and the NHL. Everyone is aware of the weak Canadian dollar and stringent provincial and federal tax rates. Everyone is aware of the climate and living conditions being unfavourable in Canada compared to what some of the US markets in the league can offer for players. Everyone is aware of the pressure from media and fans that comes with playing for any market in Canada. But how exactly is this Bettmans fault? Since he became commissioner, all of the teams in Canada except Winnipeg and Toronto have been to a Stanley Cup final at least once and had the opportunity to win it. It’s not Bettmans fault that none of those teams were able to win 4 games worth a damn since 1993 in the moment when it mattered. You whining about it doesn’t change the fact.

I'm not blaming Gary. Not blaming the refs either. Just lamenting and venting about the playing field in our wonderful but undesirable cities.

 

[Viqsi]

The phrase "No State Tax" is widely used in the hockey world to refer to State Income taxes. Again, not sure why you would think I would be talking about sales or property taxes. Have a good day.

If you say so. I've personally never seen that usage.

 

[Frank Drebin]

If you say so. I've personally never seen that usage.

Well I'm certainly glad I had the chance to clarify for you.

 

[EpochLink]

It happens every season when Canada is eliminated. I think it's a little worse this year because Toronto made the second round and Edmonton thought this was this year.
These threads will be back again next May

Both Toronto and Edmonton has defensive issues which showed in the second round. The high priced forwards can sure make them a contender but I’d then back end is leaking, they are not gonna make it far.

But Canadian nationalist complaining about no Canadian team in the final 4 need to check themselves. This isn’t the end of the world, go out, get some sun, do activities.

 

[Boonk]

The phrase "No State Tax" is widely used in the hockey world to refer to State Income taxes. Again, not sure why you would think I would be talking about sales or property taxes. Have a good day.


I'm not blaming Gary. Not blaming the refs either. Just lamenting and venting about the playing field in our wonderful but undesirable cities.

The playing field is fine for Canada dude. Literally all but 2 of the Canadian franchises have gotten the chance to play in a Cup final since the turn of the century. You obviously can’t really do that unless you draft/sign, possess, and retain some pretty good players to get there. They just didn’t win the 4 games.

 

[Frank Drebin]

The playing field is fine for Canada dude. Literally all but 2 of the Canadian franchises have gotten the chance to play in a Cup final since the turn of the century. You obviously can’t really do that unless you draft/sign, possess, and retain some pretty good players to get there. They just didn’t win the 4 games.

Yea its a bit of a hangover in Edmonton. All good man. Just feeling down about this spring. Ironically enough I think they had the team to win the 4 games vs LVK if the coach could have made some changes.

 

[Incognito]

I don’t care about other Canadian teams besides the one I root for. This isn’t an international competition. As long as Team Canada continues winning its best-on-best tournaments, it makes no difference to me whether another NHL team that just happens to be based in Canada wins the Cup or not.

 

[Lt Dan]

Both Toronto and Edmonton has defensive issues which showed in the second round. The high priced forwards can sure make them a contender but I’d then back end is leaking, they are not gonna make it far.

Every hockey fan knows that except for their respective fanbases

 

[Nasti]

Stop watching NHL games and posting on forums about the NHL if you really think it’s fixed. Oh you’re still going to do those things? Then you probably don’t actually believe what you’re saying.

 

[blundluntman]

Right on brother!

 

[Lt Dan]

Stop watching NHL games and posting on forums about the NHL if you really think it’s fixed. Oh you’re still going to do those things? Then you probably don’t actually believe what you’re saying.

Agrred Nasti,

They all need some happy little trees in their life!

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

Bettman hates Canada so much that no Canadian team has won the lottery and had the first overall pick, even when it is a potential superstar with the name Connor...or wait....

2022 - Montreal
2016 - Toronto
2015 - Edmonton
2012 - Edmonton
2011 - Edmonton
2010 - Edmonton


Hmm...maybe it's not Bettman...maybe it's bad owners hiring bad management... Nahh that can't be it. BOO Bettman

Maybe it's a mixture of everything.

NHL wants more money, there is more money to be made in the USA.

The exchange rate.

Canadian fans seem to put up with just about anything and keep coming back in droves, some USA markets not so much.

Tax rates, TV revenue, etc etc etc etc etc.

It's probably more than one thing. There's no need for tinfoil hats but there is also a discussion to be had.

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

forget it i'll probably get banned for posting an actual wall of text

That, my friend, is an acquired skill that I also seem to possess (errr most of the time)

 

[ichbinkanadier]

9

Soccer is a global game, hockey is a continental game that 5/7 continents don’t give a shit about.

Edit: correction, maybe Antarctica cares.

Intercontinental game, better? There are three continents where players commonly come from and play the game.

By the way, there are hockey teams and leagues in Africa...so technically.....

 

[Cinderblox]

Make Canada Great Again!

We will build a hockey rink board on the US border and make USA pay for it!

 

[DaPhazz]

Yes. Absolutely. Do it. Call it the CHL and see what happens. Good luck.

As much as the OP is bad, you need a Snickers.

And get real, the NHL would crumble without canadian teams.

 

[jcs0218]

This is 19 years ago. Back in 2004, the Calgary Flames were playing against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Game 6 went into double-overtime. The Flames were leading the series 3-2 and could have won the Stanley Cup if they won Game 6.

As many people will remember, there was a controversial goal called back. Martin Gelinas' scored what appeared to some fans as the Stanley Cup winning goal, only to have the call disallowed.

When this happened, there were a lot of Calgary Flames fans and Canadian hockey fans in general that blamed USA President George W Bush for interfering with the outcome of that specific game and the series as a whole.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

30 years without a Canadian team winning, 7 Canadian teams.

It's going to be at least 210 years before every Canadian team will win a Stanley cup.

We just want something to cheer for

There's only 1 Stanley Cup winner every year. 30 years sounds like a long time, but we're actually only talking about 29 instances where a Canadian team could be a winner.

7 canadian teams, 29 Winners with no Canadians. Now look at how some of those franchises have been run.

Suddenly it's not so surprising sounding.

 

[BobColesNasalCavity]

i say this because i feel with bettman calling the shots, i don't see canadian nhl teams have a chance to win..

i believe its time for canadians to create their own professional hockey league just like the CFL...

in this professional league, the salaries will be lower and the ticket prices will be affordable for families...

i say to canadians let the NHL go with its pro american business mindset...and embrace a new league that will cater to hockey crazed canadians..

 

[Based Anime Fan]

As much as the OP is bad, you need a Snickers.

And get real, the NHL would crumble without canadian teams.

The new league would crumble because no stars would go play in it, and would struggle to pull sponsorships or funding.

 

[EpochLink]

This is 19 years ago. Back in 2004, the Calgary Flames were playing against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Game 6 went into double-overtime. The Flames were leading the series 3-2 and could have won the Stanley Cup if they won Game 6.

As many people will remember, there was a controversial goal called back. Martin Gelinas' scored what appeared to some fans as the Stanley Cup winning goal, only to have the call disallowed.

When this happened, there were a lot of Calgary Flames fans and Canadian hockey fans in general that blamed USA President George W Bush for interfering with the outcome of that specific game and the series as a whole.

This is probably the most absurd theory I have ever seen about this.
No, George W Bush did not affect the outcome of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals.

This seriously needs to stop.

 

[Melrose Munch]

Have you seen any World juniors tournaments in Canada?

Before covid yea, post scandal not so much.

No, and it's too late.