Is it too hard to play in Canada?

[PenCapChew]

Well brace yourself because these generations and the younger ones coming up can't stand pressure, criticism, a lot of laziness, etc. Hate me all you want but that's all I read about everywhere. Of course I'll have all of them on my back for saying this though lol

This was said about millennials, who are now in their 30s to mid 40s. This was said about Gen X, who are now between 45 and 60 years old. It was said about the Greatest Generation, born between 1900 and 1930. Older generations have been saying this garbage about later generations being lazy, entitled and self-obsessed for centuries. We have countless newspaper articles going back over 150 years and manuscripts prior that. They are even pretty accessible if you wanted to read them. It's a trope that fools a lot of people... Seems like it's fooled you as well.

 

[PistolPete]

This was said about millennials, who are now in their 30s to mid 40s. This was said about Gen X, who are now between 45 and 60 years old. It was said about the Greatest Generation, born between 1900 and 1930. Older generations have been saying this garbage about later generations being lazy, entitled and self-obsessed for centuries. We have countless newspaper articles going back over 150 years and manuscripts prior that. They are even pretty accessible if you wanted to read them. It's a trope that fools a lot of people... Seems like it's fooled you as well.

There are even Ancient Greek philosophers who took the time to write down their complaints about those damn lazy, entitled kids

 

[Perfect_Drug]

My biased observation, not based on any kind of fact:

Americans generally don't want to play longterm in Canada. More often than not, an 'American wife' won't want their husband playing in Canada.

Russians generally want to play in the sunbelt (especially if married to another Russian).

Canadian teams are generally fine signing Canadians (who are not married to an American) and non-Russian euros.

Yeah, there's all kinds of exceptions to this rule. But sweeping generalizations...

 

[Menzinger]

My biased observation, not based on any kind of fact:

Americans generally don't want to play longterm in Canada. More often than not, an 'American wife' won't want their husband playing in Canada.

Russians generally want to play in the sunbelt (especially if married to another Russian).

Canadian teams are generally fine signing Canadians (who are not married to an American) and non-Russian euros.

Yeah, there's all kinds of exceptions to this rule. But sweeping generalizations...

This is fair take - though I'd argue Canadian teams have an easier time signing vet Canadian players - the younger guys and stars making the big dollars tend to still be drawn more to options south of the boarder

 

[Guy Larose]

This was said about millennials, who are now in their 30s to mid 40s. This was said about Gen X, who are now between 45 and 60 years old. It was said about the Greatest Generation, born between 1900 and 1930. Older generations have been saying this garbage about later generations being lazy, entitled and self-obsessed for centuries. We have countless newspaper articles going back over 150 years and manuscripts prior that. They are even pretty accessible if you wanted to read them. It's a trope that fools a lot of people... Seems like it's fooled you as well.

Nah, not this time around. One just needs to do 2 minutes of research and look at the stats on this generation getting fired and a lot of companies not wanting to hire them. It's all over the place.

 

[PistolPete]

Nah, not this time around. One just needs to do 2 minutes of research and look at the stats on this generation getting fired and a lot of companies not wanting to hire them. It's all over the place.

Are you referring to statistical research or anecdotal stories?

 

[Snuggs]

Disadvantage.

Taxes, climate, off ice money.

That doesn't mean guys won't sign in Canada or even prefer it at time vs the States.

McDavid to NYR/LA(Cali) is a pretty dirty little secret everyone feels within their bones for a reason. Imo, especially east coast in NY, His 'brand', even the NHL's will grow ridiculously; International growth even, if he plays in NY for that Rangers. (IMO). He'll have ALOT of money being left on the table if he doesn't sign in one of those markets, he's prolyl leaving cash on the floor even right now vs if he signed a deal in the States.

 

[PistolPete]

Disadvantage.

Taxes, climate, off ice money.

That doesn't mean guys won't sign in Canada or even prefer it at time vs the States.

McDavid to NYR/LA(Cali) is a pretty dirty little secret everyone feels within their bones for a reason. Imo, especially east coast in NY, His 'brand', even the NHL's will grow ridiculously; International growth even, if he plays in NY for that Rangers. (IMO). He'll have ALOT of money being left on the table if he doesn't sign in one of those markets, he's prolyl leaving cash on the floor even right now vs if he signed a deal in the States.

I would think the endorsement money would be biggest if he played in Toronto, no?

I don't see how playing in NYC or LA helps him; he doesn't have the same public awareness that people had of Gretzkh before his trade to LA

 

[Snuggs]

I would think the endorsement money epild be biggest if he played in Toronto, no?

I don't see how playing in NYC or LA helps him; he doesn't have the same public awareness that people had of Gretzkh before his trade to LA

Doubt it, immediate market of New York is 2.5x bigger...

Not saying he wouldn't get filthy rich in Toronto either, it's a top 3 or 4 spot for sure.

New York is just a larger market with larger growth. I think it's understated how many causal fans on the east coast, or in just New York, don't know how great McDavid is and it'd change instantly in NY vs Toronto because of the eyeballs seeing it. (imo). Just a theory.

 

[PistolPete]

Doubt it, immediate market of New York is 2.5x bigger...

Not saying he wouldn't get filthy rich in Toronto either, it's a top 3 or 4 spot for sure.

NYC? Closer to 4x bigger. metro NY is also 4 times bigger than Metro Toronto.

But even still, hockey is in Toronto what the NFL, NBA, and MLB is in NY combined. I'm sure 90% of Gretzky's endorsements were in Canada (a complete guess but if I had to bet a dollar, that would be my guess)

 

[Fatass]

NYC? Closer to 4x bigger. metro NY is also 4 times bigger than Metro Toronto.

But even still, hockey is in Toronto what the NFL, NBA, and MLB is in NY combined. I'm sure 90% of Gretzky's endorsements were in Canada (a complete guess but if I had to bet a dollar, that would be my guess)

Yup, not harder to play up here than anywhere. Pressure is the same on the ice. It’s the away from the rink pressure that exists up here that’s the difference.,

 

[PistolPete]

Yup, not harder to play up here than anywhere. Pressure is the same on the ice. It’s the away from the rink pressure that exists up here that’s the difference.,

I can remember when I was younger, lmao the day dreams consisted of playing for the Senstors or some Canadisn team.

Now as an adult and being an introvert, I would've told the Canadian teams not to bother drafting me because it'd drive me insane to have to stop and interact with people all the time.

 

[Snuggs]

NYC? Closer to 4x bigger. metro NY is also 4 times bigger than Metro Toronto.

But even still, hockey is in Toronto what the NFL, NBA, and MLB is in NY combined. I'm sure 90% of Gretzky's endorsements were in Canada (a complete guess but if I had to bet a dollar, that would be my guess)

I'm not trying to be a jerk, really, I'm not.

But no, just no. Nike... McDonalds, Coke, Dominos, and the video game makers paid more than some Canadian companies. His real estate was 'mostly' from the States.

Also, idk about Tornoto being the NFL or any of those other abc leagues... especially combined to NYR in NY. The Rangers are only 7 million behind Toronto in revenue from 2024. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/20/cnbc-official-nhl-team-valuations-2024.html

I don't particularly like New York, I'm not from there or a fan, but it's a huge market that's not really fully tapped in hockey and it's already almost producing as much money as Toronto's market. (For the team at least)

Toronto is a GREAT MARKET, I feel dirty talking down on it.

 

[winnipegger]

Eh, we are headed into a Canadian Renaissance with hockey. Winnipeg, Toronto and Edmonton made the top 8, Edmonton top 2. Montreal is about to take off. Ottawa looks to be ready. Let's just not talk about the other two.

 

[avocadosmoothie]

Any top 6 F or top paring D hasn't signed with a Canadian team in years except for John Tavares because they don't want to play here

not fact checking, but if true, just another massive advantage the no tax teams have

 

[Hockey2Hockey]

If you replaced Matthews & Marner with McDavid & Draisaitl, Toronto does not lose that series. If the current core played in Anaheim, the results would be no different. They just aren't guys who portray leadership or an extra gear. The location and environment have nothing to do with it.

Montreal have made the ECF/SCF three times in 15 years. There's probably more pressure there than anywhere else.

 

[PistolPete]

not fact checking, but if true, just another massive advantage the no tax teams have

Could be taxes or could be the fish bowl effect of being a hockeynplsyer in Canada

 

[PistolPete]

I'm not trying to be a jerk, really, I'm not.

But no, just no. Nike... McDonalds, Coke, Dominos, and the video game makers paid more than some Canadian companies. His real estate was 'mostly' from the States.

Do you know where I can find this info? I've always wondered where it came from exactly.

Also, idk about Tornoto being the NFL or any of those other abc leagues... especially combined to NYR in NY. The Rangers are only 7 million behind Toronto in revenue from 2024. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/20/cnbc-official-nhl-team-valuations-2024.html

I was referring to popularity and media attention, not revenue generated

I don't particularly like New York, I'm not from there or a fan, but it's a huge market that's not really fully tapped in hockey and it's already almost producing as much money as Toronto's market. (For the team at least)

Toronto is a GREAT MARKET, I feel dirty talking down on it.

Truthfully I have no precise info, I,'m just going off educated guesses so you could be right

 

[Bank Shot]

McDavid and Draisaitl weren't booed off the ice or lied about in the media when they were swept by the Avalanche.

The media said some pretty shitty things to McDavid and Draisaitl when they were on their way up and having some issues winning in the playoffs.

Not sure if McDavid ever witnessed jersey tossing but Drai might have seen some of it.

 

[Oddbob]

I’m not the president but I can still criticize policy. I pray for the day people stop using this horrible, horrible, completely meaningless argument.

To answer the question, if hockey players can’t take the pressure of a Canadian market, they probably shouldn’t be pro athletes. Hockey is an irrelevant sport in the grand scheme of things. Canada just cares as much about hockey as the US does about baseball and football. There has never been a hockey player who has ever lived who faced more pressure than the Yankees do every year. Or the Red Sox. And then there’s European soccer, which is in an entirely different tier of pressure. Playing in toronto isn’t even in the top 10 of most intense situations in North America.

Playing hockey in Toronto is way more intense then say playing in anything else in New York. In New York they have teams in all 4 major sports, plus 2 of them have have 2 teams, in Canada they have 2 teams in 2 leagues, and way more people care about hockey than basketball. The media also has only 2 major sports to cover, while New York as an example has 4 major sports seeing coverage. Then tack on that in MLB and NBA, teams can most definitely buy a championship which neither the NFL or NHL is as easy to do. Not sure where you live, but in Southwestern Ontario, all they talk about is the Leafs, with the rare exception when the Raptors actually have a shot at being good.

 

[RedHawkDown]

Playing hockey in Toronto is way more intense then say playing in anything else in New York. In New York they have teams in all 4 major sports, plus 2 of them have have 2 teams, in Canada they have 2 teams in 2 leagues, and way more people care about hockey than basketball. The media also has only 2 major sports to cover, while New York as an example has 4 major sports seeing coverage. Then tack on that in MLB and NBA, teams can most definitely buy a championship which neither the NFL or NHL is as easy to do. Not sure where you live, but in Southwestern Ontario, all they talk about is the Leafs, with the rare exception when the Raptors actually have a shot at being good.

I live in southwestern Ontario. Being a big Yankees player that shits the bed and doesn’t live up to expectations is still worse. Sports are far bigger in the US than in Canada.

Especially with the change in demographics in Ontario over the last 15 years, hockey isn’t nearly as big as it used to be. I would challenge your assertion that way more people care about hockey than basketball, especially in the Toronto/Sauga region.

 

[TS Quint]

My biased observation, not based on any kind of fact:

Americans generally don't want to play longterm in Canada. More often than not, an 'American wife' won't want their husband playing in Canada.

Russians generally want to play in the sunbelt (especially if married to another Russian).

Canadian teams are generally fine signing Canadians (who are not married to an American) and non-Russian euros.

Yeah, there's all kinds of exceptions to this rule. But sweeping generalizations...

The Jets have no problems keeping Americans in particular other than Trouba (god bless him). Connor, Hellebuyck, Pionk, Lowry, Namestikov (grew up in Michigan), Iafallo, Appleton, Samberg, Byfuglien, Wheeler…..They like it in Winnipeg. Lots of wide open space hunt and shoot their guns (don’t blame me for the stereotype, it happens to be true in this case haha), fishing and outdoors.

Obviously Winnipeg isn’t everyone’s thing. Kane, Laine, Dubois and Trouba all wanted out for various reasons. But Columbus or Buffalo isn’t for everyone either. I don’t necessarily think Winnipeg’s problem is being in Canada, or players from a particular country, it’s the small market and weather. If I had millions I’d love to show up to work in my sports car and flip flops too. But the Jets seem to do a good job of feeding players their Kool Aid if they can get them in the door.

 

[DaPhazz]

how come the only good teams are in the Sun Belt then?

It's pretty obvious dawg, not a catch there.. they bottom fed for 20 years and they are using their tax avantage well now that they're relevant

 

[Snuggs]

Do you know where I can find this info? I've always wondered where it came from exactly.

I was referring to popularity and media attention, not revenue generated

Truthfully I have no precise info, I,'m just going off educated guesses so you could be right

Wayne Gretzky net worth: How much is the legendary hockey player worth?

Few athletes are widely considered the greatest of all time, but Wayne Gretzky earned that moniker for the sport of hockey. The Canadian-born superstar started

www.si.com

Just did a quick google search and got this article, I sure there are 'more' creditable places to more info but, if you're that curious you'll look it up yourself without me telling you. All seem like round ball park figures.

*250 million earned.
*48 million as a player
*50 million endorsements
* Remaining made through business/real estate/investments.

It'd be interesting to figure out when MOST of this money was made but I've not gone down that rabbit hole;(after the Oilers trade/during those runs/etc.)

I'm not suggesting either that players can't make a ton in Canada off ice, just more in a place specifically like NY.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

The Jets have no problems keeping Americans in particular other than Trouba (god bless him). Connor, Hellebuyck, Pionk, Lowry, Namestikov (grew up in Michigan), Iafallo, Appleton, Samberg, Byfuglien, Wheeler…..They like it in Winnipeg. Lots of wide open space hunt and shoot their guns (don’t blame me for the stereotype, it happens to be true in this case haha), fishing and outdoors.

Obviously Winnipeg isn’t everyone’s thing. Kane, Laine, Dubois and Trouba all wanted out for various reasons. But Columbus or Buffalo isn’t for everyone either. I don’t necessarily think Winnipeg’s problem is being in Canada, or players from a particular country, it’s the small market and weather. If I had millions I’d love to show up to work in my sports car and flip flops too. But the Jets seem to do a good job of feeding players their Kool Aid if they can get them in the door.

Winnipeg reminds me so much of the community at MoDo:

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