Toronto :"their ability to grab college UFA's"

All it takes is a chequebook, and how many have made a impact
- stoned

yeah thats tough to master

how about just odds? 23 teams are American 7 aren't.
- Fountain-San

if it wasn't for Gary Bettman there would be no team in Ottawa.
- Fountain-San

If it wasn't for Bettman there would be no team in PHX...

The GMs stink. They have soap opera issues with players. The owners carelessly spend or don't spend. No one wants to play for Montreal and Toronto.

I say Vancouver does it in the near future.

Maybe all the good players hate being scrutinized for farting wrong on the expressway, so they head down south where they can be warm and actually have fun playing hockey instead of worrying themselves to death(see Mitchel in La).

P.S. Willie and Quick for Vezina. He and Green best D for kings all year. Doughty is a drifter, a very talented drifter with tons to learn.

The oilers will win the cup next with all the skill up front and with all the trades this summer and ufa we sign this summer

The GMs stink. They have soap opera issues with players. The owners carelessly spend or don't spend. No one wants to play for Montreal and Toronto.

I say Vancouver does it in the near future.
- HTRmikster

vancouvers time to win a cup maybe coming to an end, if they dont win next season or the season after they will prob go for a rebuild, the sedin''s arent getting any younger, kesler seemed disinterested, they have a very good D corp and goalie but im not sure they will be a threat too much longer, i can see edmonton beating them out if they get some D

I don't think Vancouver has what it takes, last year was as close as that squad will get in my opinion. Going forward, Edmonton has the brightest future, especially if they deal the first rounder this year (or Hall - don't need Hall and Yakupov) for high value.

The GMs stink. They have soap opera issues with players. The owners carelessly spend or don't spend. No one wants to play for Montreal and Toronto.

I say Vancouver does it in the near future.
- HTRmikster

All the cities in Canada are great cities, however after growing up for years in the cold, anything south of the Mason-Dixon line looks good to these guys. Drive your convertible all year in Tampa or deal with bad weather at least 6 months of the year in the north.

All the cities in Canada are great cities, however after growing up for years in the cold, anything south of the Mason-Dixon line looks good to these guys. Drive your convertible all year in Tampa or deal with bad weather at least 6 months of the year in the north.
- jsg0173

Tampa missed the playoffs...

Tampa missed the playoffs...
- Scooby_Doo

Details, details.

I don't think Vancouver has what it takes, last year was as close as that squad will get in my opinion. Going forward, Edmonton has the brightest future, especially if they deal the first rounder this year (or Hall - don't need Hall and Yakupov) for high value.
- beleafer89

I don't think they will trade the first overall pick or hall they will trade players like prv gagne hemsky Omark and maybe next years first to get toughness and defense

Tampa missed the playoffs...
- Scooby_Doo

So did almost every other Canadian team. You missed my point. Vancouver played only 5 more games than a lot of teams. The Kings are still playing!

So did almost every other Canadian team. You missed my point. Vancouver played only 5 more games than a lot of teams.
- jsg0173

It's not so cold in Vancouver.

So did almost every other Canadian team. You missed my point. Vancouver played only 5 more games than a lot of teams. The Kings are still playing!
- jsg0173

I got your point. Teams like Anaheim, Tampa, Dallas and Carolina attract better players because the weather is better.

1) Tax brackets are worse in Canada. Have to pay more than US teams to get players to play here. Thus, limiting cap space. For example: Michael Ryder - signs in Dallas where taxes are almost non existent - signs 3.5m....Tim Connolly signs in Toronto where you're forfeiting a quarter of your paycheque - signs 4.75m

2) Weather sucks

3) Media is intense

4) We expect alot from our teams

5) Players don't have enough balls, perhaps don't like being on billboards?

I don't think they will trade the first overall pick or hall they will trade players like prv gagne hemsky Omark and maybe next years first to get toughness and defense
- ryleybala22

Yea I can see that too I guess.. Fact of the matter is, Edmonton will be a monster of a team once they get defence and some experience

Eklund: Why Are There No Canadian Teams Left? Poll: Next Canadian Cup Winner?
- Eklund

EDMONTON OILERS!!!

1) Tax brackets are worse in Canada. Have to pay more than US teams to get players to play here.

2) Weather sucks

3) Media is intense

4) We expect alot from our teams

5) Players don't have enough balls, perhaps don't like being on billboards?
- t_leafs21

Love point 5. Maybe the reason you are being manhandled in world juniors lately is that your players lack heart. 5 of the 8 teams left have a US captain. Perhaps a
trend?

Yes a bit of trolling but it's also strangely true. The sport is growing and it's harder to win.

Seriously? Is the answer not obvious...

Because in Bettman's NHL, Canadian teams do not matter. Growing the game in the US is more important. Given the inconsistency in the officiating, any team can win.

Is this a conspiracy? No. Winnipeg packed them in. Toronto continues to sell out in spite of missing the playoffs for the I don't know how many-eth time.

Once the NHL comes to learn that you do not need to grow the league or expand to the south, that they need to move some teams or contract the league (the product will only get better if they do contract), and then let the strong franchises run the league, the better.

Once that happens, you will see Canadian teams winning the Stanley Cup again. Until then, they will only make the finals.

Love point 5. Maybe the reason you are being manhandled in world juniors lately is that your players lack heart. 5 of the 8 teams left have a US captain. Perhaps a trend?
- onac22

The Habs have a US Captain.

how about just odds? 23 teams are American 7 aren't.
- Fountain-San

So basically they should win the Cup every 4-5 years.

19 years later...

Most NHL teams are Majority Canadian players so sure Canadian located teams aren't winning but Teams filled with Canadians win every year.

Nice to see the Oilers top the poll... just hope it comes to fruition.