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

[MMC]

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

One GM said Thursday that he’s hearing more and more from players that they prefer not to play in Canada. “It’s a real thing,” he said, mentioning taxes, social media and tighter pandemic restrictions.

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[Forge]

What's the social media aspect of that?

 

[jetsforever]

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

"social media" - what? what does that even mean?
"tighter pandemic restrictions" - okay, but that'll probably be a factor for at most one more season
"taxes" - yeah that checks out

 

[TrufleShufle]

What's the social media aspect of that?

By law every tweet needs to have one of "Please," "thank you," or "sorry," somewhere.

 

[Paris in Flames]

This isn't new news. They're just changing the reasons.

...well...not the taxes thing. That's always been our jam.

As for social media, maybe Canadian fanbases are a bit more ..rabid and it means more trolling and hate through social media?

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

By law every tweet needs to have one of "Please," "thank you," or "sorry," somewhere.

...and at least one "EH?"...

 

[OVO16]

I totally believe it.

 

[Ishad]

What's the social media aspect of that?

Toxic fans

 

[Langdon Alger]

What's the social media aspect of that?

Players on social media in Canada likely have more negative comments directed at them than players who play for American teams I guess.

 

[OVO16]

What's the social media aspect of that?

Canadian teams are the Yankees or the Lakers of the NHL. It's gonna be a shit show of negativity if things go downhill.

Well maybe except for Ottawa lol

 

[Lemontree]

What's the social media aspect of that?

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.

 

[82Ninety42011]

Nothing new players don't want the attention they get here and taxes weather etc. They blend in states no one knows them walking around there it's something that will never change. Taxes though are not as big of a deal as some think. California, NY and I'm sure other states have crushing taxes as well.

 

[TheDoldrums]

I believe the stuff about taxes and restrictions. For Toronto, insiders have said Bogosian didn't want to re-sign because of the Canadian Covid restrictions.

Social media? I'm more doubtful. That sounds like more of a Toronto or Montreal complaint. You get that in any big market in sports, I don't think that's a Canadian problem. If you're playing in Winnipeg or Ottawa I don't think you're necessarily going to be a social media target.

 

[NYR94]

 

[gojetsgo]

"social media" - what? what does that even mean?
"tighter pandemic restrictions" - okay, but that'll probably be a factor for at most one more season
"taxes" - yeah that checks out

some idiots think it's ok to message players/players families with shit talking or threats for any on ice mistake

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Pandemic restrictions?

 

[McSpecial DraiBlend]

I honestly don't blame them. I'd rather be a unkown in Seattle than hounded in Vancouver.

 

[Jozay]

Bogosian reportedly wants to go back to the US

 

[razor ray]

I think its taxes, restrictions and living in a fishbowl. I remember a story of a player trying to go out to dinner with his wife and a few fans bothering him about a pass he made that they thought cost the game. I mean just look at how Toronto fans act on this board...love a player one day and want to shoot him to the moon the next.

Very few markets in America is a player going to be given any heat for mistakes. Most markets will not even know the players name unless they are a star. You have usually 2-3 other pro sports teams in the same town....and the NHL is almost never the most popular.

 

[OVO16]

NHL being on ESPN and TNT starting next season...will prolly start popularizing the big markets.

So teams like the Bruins, Rangers, Flyers, Blackhawks, Penguins, Capitals, etc....I think players will start feeling that there as well soon enough,

 

[Lemontree]

some idiots think it's ok to message players/players families with shit talking or threats for any on ice mistake

Ridiculous that people do that. This can’t be only something players playing for Canadian teams experience though. Keyboard warriors live everywhere.

 

[Three On Zero]

And water is wet, we’ve known this for decades

 

[supsens]

I believe the stuff about taxes and restrictions. For Toronto, insiders have said Bogosian didn't want to re-sign because of the Canadian Covid restrictions.

Social media? I'm more doubtful. That sounds like more of a Toronto or Montreal complaint. You get that in any big market in sports, I don't think that's a Canadian problem.

You think they want thier 10 year old kids reading about what worthless pieces of #%@# they are day after day.

 

[Jozay]

You think they want thier 10 year old kids reading about what worthless pieces of #%@# they are day after day.

That builds character

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

...Canadian fans are the rabid type when it comes to our National Pastime...most player's don't wanna deal with that if they don't have to...rather go to the "non-traditional" markets and get lost in the crowd...