Haha as bad as immediate future looks like in MTL, atleast we aren't Calgary. They are in big trouble.
- cburgess

CGY looks pretty grim at the end of the season - different roster next year for those guys - lots of guys will be moved - but they do have lots of NMC/NTC I believe

Well, when you look just pre-lockout (and cap) several of the canadian teams had bigger profits, bigger budgets, and hence, more success. With that advantage gone, things will naturally cycle back around.

I'd have to go back and look at records, but correct me if I'm wrong, both ottawa and vancouver were both coming off a long string of bad years, and in an upswing. Amiright??

And ottawa still couldn't make it last.
- prock

When the dollar was at 60 cents pre lockout, were the oilers, sens and flames not close to folding because they couldn't pay the salaries?

CGY looks pretty grim at the end of the season - different roster next year for those guys - lots of guys will be moved - but they do have lots of NMC/NTC I believe
- MTL1

Ya. and its not like they have any big name prospects coming up, because they finish just outside the playoffs and draft in the 10-15 position every year.

Well, when you look just pre-lockout (and cap) several of the canadian teams had bigger profits, bigger budgets, and hence, more success. With that advantage gone, things will naturally cycle back around.

I'd have to go back and look at records, but correct me if I'm wrong, both ottawa and vancouver were both coming off a long string of bad years, and in an upswing. Amiright??

And ottawa still couldn't make it last.
- prock

The smaller markets like Ottawa, Edm, Peg were victims of the US $, it was near a buck fifty at one point coming up to the lockout.
The inclusion of eastern euro players was really only coming on strong in the mid 90s, there was a lot of guess work going on with regards to that and never mind the style of hockey was much different as well. There were a lot of reasons for issues across the board. I thought Ottawa did well...certainly compared to other CDN teams they rode it out somewhat, they did have the benefit of top 5 drafts though through the 90s.

i think you would find a lot of players that just want to play the game and not have to talk to the media about why you haven't scored in 3 games or what you think of the shouting match at practice between plekanek and subban this morning.
- cburgess

I think you're missing the point. I'm sure you're right, many don't like the attention. But with 20% of teams here, it only takes 1 in 5 players for it to be a bigger proportion that want it than spaces to fill. It makes it a net draw. Follow?

When you're talking about a group of rich 20 somethings, I think you'll find more than 1 in 5 that love it. Especially when you're looking at a group that is probably quite competitive by nature.

I think overall, you'll find "a favourable proportion" that want it.

I think you'd find even more 25 year olds that love being huge celebs and banging any broad they want.
- prock

They can do this in the southern state teams, and not have it front page news and have way less taxes on the millions, i believe taxes is a huge part of it.

You don't think claude giroux is doing that in philly without all the media attention?
- cburgess

You don't think he gets media attention in philly?

Here, simple question. Do you think evryone on earth wouldn't like the attention that comes with being a celeb?

CGY looks pretty grim at the end of the season - different roster next year for those guys - lots of guys will be moved - but they do have lots of NMC/NTC I believe
- MTL1

I think there could be opportunities to snatch up some guys from teams like Cal. and Anaheim or even Wash and SJ if they don't get in.

You don't think he gets media attention in philly?
- prock

not as much as he would in MTl. Im sure the Phillies are the main focus there right now.

You don't think he gets media attention in philly?

Here, simple question. Do you think evryone on earth wouldn't like the attention that comes with being a celeb?
- prock

Would you rather be a celeb getting 5 million a year, or a regular joe getting 5 million a year?

I think you're missing the point. I'm sure you're right, many don't like the attention. But with 20% of teams here, it only takes 1 in 5 players for it to be a bigger proportion that want it than spaces to fill. It makes it a net draw. Follow?

When you're talking about a group of rich 20 somethings, I think you'll find more than 1 in 5 that love it. Especially when you're looking at a group that is probably quite competitive by nature.

I think overall, you'll find "a favourable proportion" that want it.
- prock

Living in a fishbowl, unable to escape it even on your days off and while on the town, taxes and weather. Who the (frank) wants to be in freezing (frank)ing cold prairies when you could be in a condo on a beach in Florida? Or living in SoCal?

CGY looks pretty grim at the end of the season - different roster next year for those guys - lots of guys will be moved - but they do have lots of NMC/NTC I believe
- MTL1

Calgary is arguably in better shape. Prospects aren't much different. Montreal has better draft position. Should calgary ever try to use it though, they could get a fortune back for iginla and kipper.

They can do this in the southern state teams, and not have it front page news and have way less taxes on the millions, i believe taxes is a huge part of it.
- Prolific_Scorer

Yes. Money is prob the biggest factor.

Makes the world go round you know.

I think you're missing the point. I'm sure you're right, many don't like the attention. But with 20% of teams here, it only takes 1 in 5 players for it to be a bigger proportion that want it than spaces to fill. It makes it a net draw. Follow?

When you're talking about a group of rich 20 somethings, I think you'll find more than 1 in 5 that love it. Especially when you're looking at a group that is probably quite competitive by nature.

I think overall, you'll find "a favourable proportion" that want it.
- prock

I think your'e overselling the play in Canada bit and even if your not whats to say that 20% is skilled.

Living in a fishbowl, unable to escape it even on your days off and while on the town, taxes and weather. Who the (frank) wants to be in freezing (frank)ing cold prairies when you could be in a condo on a beach in Florida? Or living in SoCal?
- Prolific_Scorer

Chris Prongers wife sure didn't

Would you rather be a celeb getting 5 million a year, or a regular joe getting 5 million a year?
- cburgess

The relevant question is " do you think its more or less than 20% of 25 year olds that would prefer 5mil a year with fame, or without fame"

Ya. and its not like they have any big name prospects coming up, because they finish just outside the playoffs and draft in the 10-15 position every year.
- cburgess

Bartschi. That kid is unreal.

The relevant question is " do you think its more or less than 20% of 25 year olds that would prefer 5mil a year with fame, or without fame"
- prock

pretty much the same question no?

Are you people (frank)ing retarded?

The relevant question is " do you think its more or less than 20% of 25 year olds that would prefer 5mil a year with fame, or without fame"
- prock

I think most hockey players making 5 million a year would be happy without all the media attention. I can't think of one star player in the prime of his career decided to move to a Candian city and excelled there. Danny Briere had a option to and went to philly for less money.

The relevant question is " do you think its more or less than 20% of 25 year olds that would prefer 5mil a year with fame, or without fame"
- prock

Ok take the Pronger thing for instance, (frank)ing around on his wife etc. Say you are player, in a strange town, would you want to (frank)ing around on your wife where nobody had a clue who you were or what you did for your money? Or in a town like edmonton where you cant escape it and everyone knows you cause you are hockey player and the only game in town? Add in the weather factor and the taxes, and really man its a no brainer.

I think your'e overselling the play in Canada bit and even if your not whats to say that 20% is skilled.
- Pie

I'm not claiming the 20% is any different than the standard sample population. Some will be, some won't.

Are you people (frank)ing retarded?
- AdamFrench

*waits*

The relevant question is " do you think its more or less than 20% of 25 year olds that would prefer 5mil a year with fame, or without fame"
- prock

Most hockey players are down to earth and barely known in the states compared to say football or baseball players. Yes they still have the money, lots of it, but why stay in canada in the winters, freeze your nuts off, be on the front page ( see domi's really messy divorce and everything that went with it), when you could be living the life in your beach house on the ocean in the southern states, and keep 1/3 of your money that isnt going to be raped by taxes. Like i said it's a no brainer man.

pretty much the same question no?
- Pie

Yes and no. What me and you want doesn't matter. Its all about %s. Do you really doubt that there are a bunch a 25 year olds that wouldnwant to be the kings of montreal or toronto. Jeez, many NHLers grew up dreaming of it.

I may not feel the same now, but when I was 25, I wouldn't want anything more than to play in mtl or tor.