Why NHL players don’t want to play in Canada (video)

[HamiltonNHL]

More hassles, less money.

Would you take that job if it was you ?

No, you would not.

The money thing (more tax in Canada) always comes up but I don’t know if it is true.

I bet buck a beer Ford would pander to Ontaio NHL fans … if the polls were low for him.

Here’s the plan: during the next Ontario election we’ll throw up a petition to “Make Ontario hockey great again” and propose Ontario match the best tax deal available in the USA (or beat it). Ford will be losing in the polls and he’ll need the freebie to get his base out to vote.

whichever Toronto GM / owner combo agreed to the salary cap and communist level revenue sharing deserves a special place in Hell.

Maybe fans should switch to the OHL ?

Would Buck-a-joint work ?

Or 6 free Ontario joints a year if you recycle diligently?

Click to read more...

 

[rumman]

More hassles, less money.

Would you take that job if it was you ?

No, you would not.

The money thing (more tax in Canada) always comes up but I don’t know if it is true.

I bet buck a beer Ford would pander to Ontaio NHL fans … if the polls were low for him.

Here’s the plan: during the next Ontario election we’ll throw up a petition to “Make Ontario hockey great again” and propose Ontario match the best tax deal available in the USA (or beat it). Ford will be losing in the polls and he’ll need the freebie to get his base out to vote.

whichever Toronto GM / owner combo agreed to the salary cap and communist level revenue sharing deserves a special place in Hell.

Maybe fans should switch to the OHL ?

Would Buck-a-joint work ?

Or 6 free Ontario joints a year if you recycle diligently?

I get Toronto might be more expensive, but these guys are paid in US dollars, other than Quebec the tax rub isn’t a concern unless your taking about the states with no income tax……….

 

[tmlms13]

If you have smart accountant you can get around all the tax stuff and maximize your money.

There is so little player movement amongst the star players in UFA it's really a fallacy to say they don't want to play up here.

The It's like why Eric lindros refused to go to Quebec. It had nothing to do with Quebec is was a shitty owner.

 

[sxvnert]

Because of the salary cap. Otherwise players would be flocking towards the richest teams regardless of weather or tax savings.

 

[Squiffy]

If you have smart accountant you can get around all the tax stuff and maximize your money.

There is so little player movement amongst the star players in UFA it's really a fallacy to say they don't want to play up here.

The It's like why Eric lindros refused to go to Quebec. It had nothing to do with Quebec is was a shitty owner.

I think in general it is a drag on Canadian teams, but specifically for the Leafs the tax problem is less of a big deal for attracting big deal players. Look at all these deals, they are dumping it out in signing bonus, because money is no object.

Aside from the obvious advantage of having the cash up front to immediately put to work in whatever investment strategy, it’s getting paid out on principle residence on July 1. AM, obvious example, not stressing Ontario tax.

Leafs can do that for anyone.

 

[wintersej]

Funny that high tax states like California or New York don’t have problems signing players. Heck my home stats of “Taxachusetts” always seems to get players in solid deals.

It’s not the taxes, guys.

Edit: sorry thought this was in main board and not team board.

 

[WillNy29]

no one here has ever heard of an accountant? or an RCA?

 

[Squiffy]

Funny that high tax states like California or New York don’t have problems signing players. Heck my home stats of “Taxachusetts” always seems to get players in solid deals.

It’s not the taxes, guys.

Edit: sorry thought this was in main board and not team board.

It’s all good here on the Leaf board, it’s true points. The prairie teams, Edm, Cgy, Wnpg, probably Ott too, I think there’s a legit argument that the added drag of CND taxes and the pressure of CND markets is a thing.

 

[Mugzy97]

The taxes certainly do affect the larger paychecks the most. You could compare Kucherov contract to Marner and see who takes home more actual dollars.

The pressure of the fans and media is also a real thing.

 

[Drytoast]

The quality of life in Canada has gone to shit. And it's only going to get worse with more taxation. Toronto is getting its own special tax last I heard.

Add to the fact that we are obsessed and rabid imbeciles who issue death threats to players families on social media whenever something goes bad.

I wouldn't want to play here.

 

[fancy lad]

I would say the pressure and scrutiny of playing in cities like Toronto and montreal to be offputting for a lot of players.

Also, i'm not saying life in Canada has gone to shit (that's extreme, and there are lots of American markets that aren't as nice to live in as some Canadian cities), BUT living in Toronto has gone to shit in the last 10 years. Especially just getting around the city. The construction situation is a FUKCING NITEMARE! I don't know how this current state was allowed to happen, but it's city planning, city politics at its goddam worst.

 

[GoonieFace]

Most of these players come from rich entitled families, can retire in their mid to late thirties with enough money for generations. Now I don’t condone personal threats, which I think are blown out of proportion for the most part. Teachers, police, government workers face this everyday as well

Basically a bunch of whiners that know nothing of financial struggles the majority of people deal with.

 

[thusk]

More hassles, less money.

Would you take that job if it was you ?

No, you would not.

The money thing (more tax in Canada) always comes up but I don’t know if it is true.

I bet buck a beer Ford would pander to Ontaio NHL fans … if the polls were low for him.

Here’s the plan: during the next Ontario election we’ll throw up a petition to “Make Ontario hockey great again” and propose Ontario match the best tax deal available in the USA (or beat it). Ford will be losing in the polls and he’ll need the freebie to get his base out to vote.

whichever Toronto GM / owner combo agreed to the salary cap and communist level revenue sharing deserves a special place in Hell.

Maybe fans should switch to the OHL ?

Would Buck-a-joint work ?

Or 6 free Ontario joints a year if you recycle diligently?

taxes are with team like exemple dallas florida tampa, yes a huge difference... but exemple toronto vs NYR for a 8M contract... the difference of taxes is like 250K. considerating in canada you paying with ca$

how many fans trash talk about marner/matthews for 1st 20 game?

jt?

how many people trash talked about rielly and say he should be traded

muzzin last season he was healthy

kerfoot/Holl?

kessel...

 

[The Iceman]

As a GTA guy Leafs would be my 1st choice to play for.
Many GTA guys that have played and after they have made their $$$ feel the same.

I heard Justin Williams (Mr game 7) on JD Bunkus yesterday saying he tried to make himself a Leaf before retiring and couldn't come to an agreement.
He referenced it was Toronto that wasn't that interested.

 

[Buds17]

Fewer Canadian teams in the league in comparison to their American counterparts (which will always be the case). That's why I'd prefer to not see any other Canadian teams move down south (fewer Canadian teams will make it that much easier for players with a choice to refuse playing "here", not to mention that fewer Canadian kids will likely end up wanting to get into hockey).

 

[Razz]

The root cause is of course the Salary cap. Yes, the spotlight is a huge issue for players, and when push comes to shove, it will cost a premium for a star player to play in that situation. The Salary cap prevents Canadian markets from leveraging their advantageous fandom as a source of strength. All teams like the Leafs can do is sign a ton of 1-way 1M contracts that can be buried for ample NHL Depth. Fringe NHLers love this, but it has been proven not to be a difference-maker for winning a cup.

Players can easily take a better situation in Tampa, Dallas, Vegas, etc, and not have to worry about their legacy since the cap structure works better in those markets and the cup chances are higher overall.

Teams like the Leafs and Oilers are often made fun of around here, but it's a real shame either, or both of these teams aren't trading cups right now. If not for the cap, I'm pretty certain they would be. The Leafs had to give up many of their non-core players due to the cap over the years (Hyman is a good example and there are several others) and the Oilers can't recruit the UFA market top-tier players who want to win a cup because they can't afford it.

It's the same story every year, dump your players that become too expensive and try to fill in with low-cost depth while hoping you strike gold with deadline rentals using your LTIR money. All other teams are in the same situation, but they can attract more talent in July year after year. Eventually, the window just closes.


TLDR: The Salary cap turns the Canadian market into a disadvantage rather than an advantage.

 

[Nineteen67]

The root cause is of course the Salary cap. Yes, the spotlight is a huge issue for players, and when push comes to shove, it will cost a premium for a star player to play in that situation. The Salary cap prevents Canadian markets from leveraging their advantageous fandom as a source of strength. All teams like the Leafs can do is sign a ton of 1-way 1M contracts that can be buried for ample NHL Depth. Fringe NHLers love this, but it has been proven not to be a difference-maker for winning a cup.

Players can easily take a better situation in Tampa, Dallas, Vegas, etc, and not have to worry about their legacy since the cap structure works better in those markets and the cup chances are higher overall.

Teams like the Leafs and Oilers are often made fun of around here, but it's a real shame either, or both of these teams aren't trading cups right now. If not for the cap, I'm pretty certain they would be. The Leafs had to give up many of their non-core players due to the cap over the years (Hyman is a good example and there are several others) and the Oilers can't recruit the UFA market top-tier players who want to win a cup because they can't afford it.

It's the same story every year, dump your players that become too expensive and try to fill in with low-cost depth while hoping you strike gold with deadline rentals using your LTIR money. All other teams are in the same situation, but they can attract more talent in July year after year. Eventually, the window just closes.


TLDR: The Salary cap turns the Canadian market into a disadvantage rather than an advantage.

FYI, The salary cap is the same for all teams

 

[Menzinger]

The tax issue gets a bit overblown for sure BUT there's also no denying that there's certainly a group of players in the league who definitely prefer playing in the US (and that group includes several Canadian born guys too).

 

[Da Mash]

I think alot of players dont want the limelight........

Why would any player want to play for the leafs with the constant bashing the leafs take in the media? Even when winning....its still doom and gloom....

Most NHL teams in the states are a afterthought compared to NFL and the NBA....even College Ball is higher on the media list then the NHL.

Look ....who are the leaf icons in Toronto .....Domi...Tucker and those likes...

We basically didnt want Sundin back to retire a leaf as their leading scorer ....and then he got bashed because Fletcher made him out to be the bad guy to the media. Dave Keon had his issues with the team....

At least the Habs honour their stars properly........I loved what the leafs did with Salming as he is my favorite leaf along with Keon and Clark.

 

[Clark4Ever]

The allure of playing in Canada for some players used to be that it was a great place to raise a family.

Due to several factors that are probably too controversial to bring up on this forum, I don't believe that is the case anymore, especially in Toronto.

 

[robertmac43]

The USD to CAD conversion should help on the financial side of things.

 

[Niagara Bill]

I suggest we have a Canada only league, no Bettman, then a Canadian team can win a cup.

 

[Stephen]

Hold on a second. Auston Matthews chose to stay in Toronto an extra four years on his own free will, we sign Klingberg, Reaves, Domi, Bertuzzi and people are worried about Radko Gudas’ career choices?

 

[barilko05]

I think alot of players dont want the limelight........

Why would any player want to play for the leafs with the constant bashing the leafs take in the media? Even when winning....its still doom and gloom....

Most NHL teams in the states are a afterthought compared to NFL and the NBA....even College Ball is higher on the media list then the NHL.

Look ....who are the leaf icons in Toronto .....Domi...Tucker and those likes...

We basically didnt want Sundin back to retire a leaf as their leading scorer ....and then he got bashed because Fletcher made him out to be the bad guy to the media. Dave Keon had his issues with the team....

At least the Habs honour their stars properly........I loved what the leafs did with Salming as he is my favorite leaf along with Keon and Clark.

It took a long time...too long IMO...after Ballard was gone for this organization to get its collective shit together and honor this team's past properly...like decades. Keon's issues were all with Ballard, and justifiably so. It was bad enough that even after he was long gone, he still held a grudge against the team itself. I'm glad that at the end he put his animosity aside and received the recognition he deserved from both the fans and the organization.

 

[colchar]

More hassles, less money.

Would you take that job if it was you ?

No, you would not.

The money thing (more tax in Canada) always comes up but I don’t know if it is true.

I bet buck a beer Ford would pander to Ontaio NHL fans … if the polls were low for him.

Here’s the plan: during the next Ontario election we’ll throw up a petition to “Make Ontario hockey great again” and propose Ontario match the best tax deal available in the USA (or beat it). Ford will be losing in the polls and he’ll need the freebie to get his base out to vote.

whichever Toronto GM / owner combo agreed to the salary cap and communist level revenue sharing deserves a special place in Hell.

Maybe fans should switch to the OHL ?

Would Buck-a-joint work ?

Or 6 free Ontario joints a year if you recycle diligently?

What a load of shite.

Just because a few players don't want to play here does not mean that the majority of NHL players don't.

As for the alleged pressure places like NYC, Philly, etc. have as much or more pressure and players are fine with playing in those cities so that argument is shit too.