What was the last major free agent Montreal snagged who was still in their prime?
It wasn't that long ago that players were refusing to go there like Daniel Briere in his prime.
dam dam dam you made me post... i resolve for lent to never post to this site again during lent
http://deadspin.com/where-dont-nhl-players-want-to-play-1686594660
Least attractive hockey destinations based on no-trade clauses:
1) EDM
2) WPG
3)BUF
4)OTT
5)TOR
We beat Toronto ! Woot ! Wait a minute....
To be honest, the whole idea of that article is stupid. Who are these great players that are leaving every year to go play in these "first-rate" markets? I don't see players running to Pittsburgh to play with Crosby and Malkin. I don't see players running to Philadelphia to play with Giroux and Voracek. I don't see players running to Chicago or LA to play with Stanley Cup winners.
The only players who you could even consider above average free agents last year were Stastny to St. Louis, Miller and Vrbata to Vancouver, Ehrhoff to Pittsburgh and Niskanen to Washington. And I wouldn't even consider any of those players to be premier talents. The whole article has a flawed premise. Big name players don't move in the first place.
You should link the original ESPN article, to not support the gawker one.
I think your post also has a flawed premise. The article was about which teams are commonly identified by players with NMCs. It has absolutely zero to do with UFAs.
You misunderstood. The article is saying Ottawa is put 4th most on players lists around the NHL.
It has nothing to do with how many teams give out.
Might be some truth to this, but notice how 4 out of the 5 are Canadian destinations. Income tax considerations having any part of this?