The, "Players don't want to play here" debate was put to rest after Winnipeg got a team. Trust me, it was a constant arguement against Winnipeg and because of the massive fan reception no one seems to mind playing in a winter wonderland. The same will go for players in a French speaking city, if they are treated like gods they'll be fine with it.
I wouldn't doubt it, but this is irrelevant.
Your arguement ends at the first sentence; the NHL is going to go where the most money is.
We care less about this then how little people in Manchester care what people in the States think about Soccer.
The UK or any of it's leagues there, isn't dependent on the US for soccer related revenue.
The NHL is vry dependent on the US for at least 1/2 if it's revenue.
So Canada better care.
I'm sure players do care about how their sport is preceived in the US too.....
how do you think the league was able to pull off the NBC contract which means.....
more $ that go towards players salaries