Friedman: Players don’t want to sign in Canada?

[JarvisFunk]

I am sure Adam Larsson might want to add Edmonton to that Social Media list.

The 1 for 1 circlejerking was done by pretty much every other fanbase, y'all f***ed with his head.

 

[JarvisFunk]

Edmonton’s fans are easily some of the worst, on average. Eberle named online bullying as his reason for leaving. Just a long list of players who grew tired of being whipping boys for a terribly run organization.

Eberle was traded

 

[Kublakhan]

I blame Dreger for being too pushy

 

[Reality Check]

Blackhawks pushing for Seth Jones, Ryan Suter nearing decision - Sportsnet.ca

Friedman's next tweet will be another stunner to hockey fans:

Socks first, shoes second

 

[KingsFan7824]

...if Canada pulled out of the NHL, it would fold...period...

And nobody would sign in Canada, thus no league anywhere in NA.

 

[notsocommonsense]

As a Canadian who has preffered Canada over the US for about 98% of my existence, what's happened in Canada over the past couple years is a saddening disgrace and many feel the same way, including current athletes. It's no surprise whatsoever that NHLers don't want to sign there now, and there is plenty of division amongst Canadians as well on how the whole thing has been handled. They are not nearly as respected as a nation compared to just a couple years ago, and you are kidding yourself if you want to pretend Canada is desirable in its current state. Massive red flags all over the place, and I'm not talking about the Maple Leaf.

Honestly, if you prefer what has happened in the U.S. over the past couple of years to what has happened in Canada, I can only laugh and shake my head

To the issue at hand, less taxes, better weather and most importantly, some anonymity without the ridiculous pressure put upon these guys by rabid fans and media are all reasons why you can’t blame these guys for preferring to play in the states

 

[CapSpace]

Seems like a positive step forward for the NHL.

Oh yeah? Cut the teams from Canada and see how this bush league goes.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

And nobody would sign in Canada, thus no league anywhere in NA.

...Hockey players play in Canada or not at all in North America...yeah, there's a bet you'd not be willing to back up...

 

[McRpro]

Edmonton’s fans are easily some of the worst, on average. Eberle named online bullying as his reason for leaving. Just a long list of players who grew tired of being whipping boys for a terribly run organization.

He left because the Oilers traded him.

 

[wavaxa2]

It doesn't help when most Canadian teams have bush-league GMs running the show. Players know incompetence when they see it.

 

[hockeyes]

The players whine almost as much as us fans.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Oh yeah? Cut the teams from Canada and see how this bush league goes.

Well, the two. Nobody really cares about the other 5. Winnipeg wouldn't even have a team again if not for the Bettman cap.

 

[notsocommonsense]

It doesn't help when most Canadian teams have bush-league GMs running the show. Players know incompetence when they see it.

Another good point

 

[KingsFan7824]

...Hockey players play in Canada or not at all in North America...yeah, there's a bet you'd not be willing to back up...

You Canadians sure are a touchy bunch. Even in the O6 days the US had more teams.

 

[Hockey4Lyfe]

Lmao, you realize there was a desire for a mass exodus from US just a year ago because of the president.

Anyways, one reason why players would desire to play in Canada is that they get paid in USD.

As a Canadian living in Canada and working for a US entity that gets paid USD, it's honestly the best thing ever.

Did you factor in they can play in cities with much nicer weather, better taxes, less heat on their backs if they have a bad game…. Etc…. Too many benefits for the rich to not pick the USA over Canada.

Only reason I could truly agree with is if they were Canadian and wanted to stay close to family. Every other reason sends them south of the Mason Dixon line.

 

[Captain97]

2+2 = 4
The sun rises in the east
Taco bell makes you S***
And a ton of NHLers don't want to play in Canada

We've known this for years Friedge.

 

[Boner Champ]

You risk fines or even possible jail time depending on certain anti language laws. Not sure pro athletes necessarily need to worry about this but in fact, Canada no longer has freedom of speech regarding numerous topics. I know political talk is banned on the site so there isn’t much more than can be said on this topic without it becoming that topic.

What the sweet christ are you talking about? Under no circumstance would an athlete ever be at risk for jail or even fines for his speech - unless maybe his employer charged him. Canada's speech is almost as protected as in the US, with specific carve-outs only for things like hate speech, child porn, etc.

The COVID thing is pretty dumb too - vaccination rates in Canada are now higher than in the US and the latter is much closer to having to enact yet stricter protocols due to the pandemic amongst the unvaccinated.

Taxes may be a reason (although they're comparable to NY, CA, IL, etc.). But the fact is players don't want to say it but they don't want to play in Canada because of (a) the scrutiny (tied in to social media I suppose); (b) the weather (as a Canadian living in CA I get it); and (c) the size of most Canadian markets/reputation of the small markets (esp. Ottawa, Winnipeg, AB teams).

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

this isnt new

 

[New User Name]

Well, the two. Nobody really cares about the other 5. Winnipeg wouldn't even have a team again if not for the Bettman cap.

That's not true.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

You Canadians sure are a touchy bunch. Even in the O6 days the US had more teams.

...yeah, huge population centres get teams...Canada, thankfully, has far less of them since we THANKFULLY have far fewer people than the US...we Canadians are happy with that...

 

[Hockey4Lyfe]

I'm curious what's the level of so called pressure from fans in the NFL, MLB and NBA?

Probably directly relatable to how hockey is in Toronto.

But those players in those leagues only have 1 or 2 options to flee the country and continue getting paid the way they do currently. So for them it’s either shutup and deal with it or retire/go play in a league over seas where they don’t get paid anywhere close to what they are getting.

 

[bov]

Wait. Are you saying Canada reacted poorly to Covid? I get the restrictions aren't - and still aren't ideal, but Canada was similar to the rest of the first world countries in their serious approach -- except for one. I acknowledge my bias here, but I'd think long and hard about how that one country and it's people reacted to the pandemic.

Their inital reactions were reasonable enough but at this point, it has gone far beyond something rational and constructive. The numbers, based on the extreme measures they have taken for so long, are not overly impressive given the low density of population relative to size and space of the country. It's politics and business, the notion that Canada somehow cares more about safety than everyone else after 2 years of this is asinine.

Canadians are so consumed by North American shock factor garbage that they don't even realize there are plenty of other nations all around the world shaking their heads at their display and doing just fine. That's not even factoring in the ramifications of both physical and mental health deficiencies due to the massive leap in inactivity (plus dips in business, personal nutrition, etc) which will show itself eventually. Most Canadians are in worse health and more stressed than they were prior to the pandemic due to these restrictions and will be further dependent on the medical system going forward as well.

I know there's a "no politics" rule but it's relevant to the thread, and clear as day the main factor in why players are turned off by Canada when considering contracts. Don't sit there and pretend Canada is some next-level progressive heaven these days. There is a lot to consider, no matter where you stand on the covid approach. I can respect an opposing opinion, but not people playing dumb on why it's not as desirable as it used to be.

 

[dfunk]

Rick Nash told us this like 10 years ago.

 

[returnofthemack29]

...unpopular opinion; the average American fan has lesser attention span and "slower" sports like Baseball are easier to catch the action...we Canadians grew up on the High Speed sport of Hockey...they didn't, for the most part, and honestly can't keep up...why do you think Fox had that laser pointer on the puck way back when??...just my opinion, no Scientists were harmed in its making...

In America, Baseball is mostly watched by the old heads that remember watching the game in the 70’s with their dads. As soon as that demographic dies off, IMO baseball disappears. Old Americans seem to like Baseball more for nostalgia reasons (Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson).

I don’t think that attention spans are much different, it’s just that the NHL has done such a shitty job marketing to American fans and that they’re really missing out on a giant opportunity!!

Having Green Day play at the All-Star Game in 2020 and then having Macklemore be involved in the Expansion Draft yesterday!???

Either the NHL’s budget for these things is practically zero, or they’re completely out of touch!!

 

[CamPopplestone]

Not new unfortunately. The taxes mean we have to pay more for players to agree to come here. In general Canada is less desirable if you're wealthy, less events, places to go/see, poor weather in most of the country, etc.

And in regards to the social media thing yeah probably more intense stuff directed at them. Plus Canadian fans can be rabid and intense. I imagine of you're in most US markets and are a bottom 6 type player who isn't a star, you can probably go to the grocery store in relative peace, or at least not as much attention. In most Canadian team cities, I'm pretty sure a dude whose played 6 NHL games in 5 years will be called out in line at Timmies lol.