HF Habs: Out of Town Thread: 2024 Playoff Edition

[salbutera]

Who could have seen this coming

https://x.com/i/web/status/1797130455923495134

Some of it can be offset for Cdn teams using heavy bonus contracts for US resident players but that won’t help w Swedes, Finns… non-US residents.

In the end no state tax locales will always hold leverage in roster construction because of depth that costs less to buy in their markets

Great amateur & pro scouting scouting helps, but those aren’t exact sciences, especially drafting 18-yr olds

It's been like this for so long and it will just continue to get worse unless something is done by the league.

League can’t do anything - it’s impossible to manage the varying tax codes from different states & Cdn provinces - and Canada simply doesn’t allow for the magnitude of loopholes US system does (federal & state level) let alone weather, anonymity and other ancillary benefits

 

[the valiant effort]

The only great rosters Maurice ever had were those late 2010s Jets, which we know had a lot of stink on them in the locker room. Now he’s got this beastly Panthers roster moving the puck around like it’s NHL 24 against the computer on medium. Under-appreciated coach.

 

[salbutera]

The only great rosters Maurice ever had were those late 2010s Jets, which we know had a lot of stink on them in the locker room. Now he’s got this beastly Panthers roster moving the puck around like it’s NHL 24 against the computer on medium. Under-appreciated coach.

As Sheldon Keefe said this week he was told by coaches around the league who called to congratulate him “welcome to the real NHL” - no one knows WTF Maurice is in Fla, he only has to respond to 1-2 reporters max per game (except playoffs) and can peacefully just do his job….life’s good

3-years ago at Sunrise

 

[The Real Timo]

Welp. If the current Rags is the best Gorton can build then color me unimpressed.

 

[rahad]

Predicted Florida would have eliminated NY in 4 games. Only reason it took 6 games is because of Igor Shesterkin.

Insane that since 2020 a Florida team has always been in the finals. They have been dominated this decade.

Gary Bettman will be happy. His dream scenario is probably a Dallas vs Florida final.

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

I was pulling for the Rangers to win that series but they haven't really looked all that good. It will be interesting to see how the rest unfolds.

 

[YukonCornelius 5thOA]

The irony of Bruins fans hating on Florida for playing Bruins hockey and alleging the refs favour them, has been delicious.

 

[salbutera]

Gary Bettman will be happy. His dream scenario is probably a Dallas vs Florida final.

Bettman has always been right though this is the golden age of non traditional hockey markets. Yotes would’ve been successful w a dedicated owner & arena in downtown Phoenix - which they’ll get a chance at one day.

VGK, Sea have been extremely successful, and Johnny Utah will likely be as well, thus, skyrocketing league revenue

 

[Miller Time]

Bettman has always been right though this is the golden age of non traditional hockey markets. Yotes would’ve been successful w a dedicated owner & arena in downtown Phoenix - which they’ll get a chance at one day.

VGK, Sea have been extremely successful, and Johnny Utah will likely be as well, thus, skyrocketing league revenue

Meh
Relative to the revenue growth of the other major leagues, including MLS, the NHL lags.

90's through today is a golden age of NA pro sports, NHL has fared poorly in the context of the sector growth. Both NBA & NHL revenue around 2000 were about 2B$, NBA sits at 10.6B in 2023 with 30 teams vs NHL at 6.4B @ 32 teams.

Bettman is a fraud riding a wave of industry growth that has covered his numerous missteps, rather than a saavy leader delivering sector leading execution.

Even worse when you consider that the base hockey consumer is a far higher net worth consumer than the average nbs or NFL fan.

 

[McGees]

No pressure kid.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1797305464461705619

 

[ReHabs]

Meh
Relative to the revenue growth of the other major leagues, including MLS, the NHL lags.

90's through today is a golden age of NA pro sports, NHL has fared poorly in the context of the sector growth. Both NBA & NHL revenue around 2000 were about 2B$, NBA sits at 10.6B in 2023 with 30 teams vs NHL at 6.4B @ 32 teams.

Bettman is a fraud riding a wave of industry growth that has covered his numerous missteps, rather than a saavy leader delivering sector leading execution.

Even worse when you consider that the base hockey consumer is a far higher net worth consumer than the average nbs or NFL fan.

Bettman made so many mistakes, big and small, it's hard to even track it at this point. The owners don't care about the sport... they are happy with Bettman just as long as he scratches their backs generates sufficient wealth for them.

I'm not saying the NHL should be bigger than the NBA but it sure as hell could be closer than 6/10th of the way there. It's just not a modern commercial sport and that has got everything to do with the NHL's head office and nothing to do with the sport itself.

 

[Runner77]

Predicted Florida would have eliminated NY in 4 games. Only reason it took 6 games is because of Igor Shesterkin.

Insane that since 2020 a Florida team has always been in the finals. They have been dominated this decade.

Bettman’s wet dream.

 

[Runner77]

Who could have seen this coming

https://x.com/i/web/status/1797130455923495134

Taxes, tax planning, exemptions and filing errors are a giant quagmire and then you have sun destinations and the no fishbowl effect for players looking to play incognito and you realize there is really no system that levels the playing field.

 

[ReHabs]

Taxes, tax planning, exemptions and filing errors are a giant quagmire and then you have sun destinations and the no fishbowl effect for players looking to play incognito and you realize there is really no system that levels the playing field.

I think some tax grace exemption would help go a long way in evening the playing field without necessarily leveling it perfectly. The fact that a player can take a 5.5m deal in FL and come out significantly ahead over the identical contract in a high-tax state is a more readily solvable problem.

 

[stanley25]

90's through today is a golden age of NA pro sports, NHL has fared poorly in the context of the sector growth. Both NBA & NHL revenue around 2000 were about 2B$, NBA sits at 10.6B in 2023 with 30 teams vs NHL at 6.4B @ 32 teams.

Huh surprised at how close it actually is, makes Bettman look a little better imo.

Although 4.2 billion is nothing to scoff at, NBA has had much much more marketable superstars to work with throughout the last 2 decades or so and the NHL has 7 Canadian teams compared to 1 in the NBA, even if hockey is the hottest show in town that's still roughly 1/4 of your league receiving mostly Canadian money which is at times very low compared to its American counterpart.

Also the fact is it's much easier for kids to pick up a basketball and play on public courts which are pretty much everywhere. Whereas hockey needs 1000$+ of equipment per player every few seasons and for your community to even have a refrigerated complex for it to be played in where outside of Canada is extremely rare.

 

[sandviper]

The Oilers would give Florida plenty to think about. Just like they have done with Dallas.
They would definitely have a better puck retrieval rate than the Rags on dump ins.

Assuming Oilers advance, they’ve been stifling teams as well. I would favour the Panthers, but I think a lot of people just see Skinner (and for good reason) and assume it’ll be over quick.

 

[Rapala]

Some of it can be offset for Cdn teams using heavy bonus contracts for US resident players but that won’t help w Swedes, Finns… non-US residents.

In the end no state tax locales will always hold leverage in roster construction because of depth that costs less to buy in their markets

Great amateur & pro scouting scouting helps, but those aren’t exact sciences, especially drafting 18-yr olds


League can’t do anything - it’s impossible to manage the varying tax codes from different states & Cdn provinces - and Canada simply doesn’t allow for the magnitude of loopholes US system does (federal & state level) let alone weather, anonymity and other ancillary benefits

The league could do something if they really wanted to. They take from the rich and give to the poor to keep franchises afloat.
They can also do the same with an internal tax. Take from the rich and give to the poor. It's only fair to all teams in a capped league that every player pays the same percentage. It isn't that difficult to ensure deductions at source are equalized. What players do after with their personal finances is up to them.

Assuming Oilers advance, they’ve been stifling teams as well. I would favour the Panthers, but I think a lot of people just see Skinner (and for good reason) and assume it’ll be over quick.

No doubt the Panthers would be favored but I think the Oilers style would make for a better series.

 

[rahad]

Bettman has always been right though this is the golden age of non traditional hockey markets. Yotes would’ve been successful w a dedicated owner & arena in downtown Phoenix - which they’ll get a chance at one day.

VGK, Sea have been extremely successful, and Johnny Utah will likely be as well, thus, skyrocketing league revenue

Maybe.... But hockey is starting to be more and more a American sport. Edmonton is probably Canada last chance to bring the stanley cup to home. (this year)

 

[Runner77]

If the Coilers win the Cup, we won’t hear the end of it on this site. Their fans are arrogant trash. I’m not sure that I have a rooting interest.

 

[Habssince89]

Maybe.... But hockey is starting to be more and more a American sport. Edmonton is probably Canada last chance to bring the stanley cup to home.

do you mean ever? because that's laughable

 

[salbutera]

The league could do something if they really wanted to. They take from the rich and give to the poor to keep franchises afloat.
They can also do the same with an internal tax. Take from the rich and give to the poor. It's only fair to all teams in a capped league that every player pays the same percentage. It isn't that difficult to ensure deductions at source are equalized. What players do after with their personal finances is up to them.

You really think players Union will say okay?

 

[YukonCornelius 5thOA]

If the Coilers win the Cup, we won’t hear the end of it on this site. Their fans are arrogant trash. I’m not sure that I have a rooting interest.

I totally hear and get this.

 

[The Real Timo]

Oilers will win. I don’t have a good feeling.

 

[Justin11]

I'm I the only one rooting for the Oilers to win?

 

[Team_Spirit]

Fix the cap they already have the beach lifestyle advantage

https://x.com/i/web/status/1797318747713118574