Edmonton is No Good Episode 4: New Rink, Same Stink

[JerryUnderscore]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

McDavid wanted to be drafted by the Leafs first and foremost but would have been fine with Buffalo due to it's proximity to home. For the same reasons the Flames will likely not be able to retain Gaudreau when his current deal expires, the Oilers will unlikely be able to retain McDavid when he becomes a UFA.

I hear this narrative a lot, but when was the last time an elite talent decided to play for their hometown team upon becoming a UFA? Stamkos was probably the closest that I can think of, but he still decided to re-sign in Tampa.

As much as we can hope that McDavid will decide to leave Edmonton, he will probably be an Oiler for a long, long time.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

didn't realize it was as low as that... poor NHL..

that said, theoretically, that's another 5 M per year (accounting for inflation by the time McDavid gets to RFA age)... so another 33%? of his salary?

undoubtedly, he gets some of that in Edmonton too, but playing in a major media centers would increase that take...

No, it really would not. It has been discussed on this board multiple times, and it has been demonstrated to be a myth. Apart from the relative low value of endorsement deals for NHL players generally, virtually all of the significant ones are signed by multi-national corporations like Tissot, PowerAde, Reebok, Nike, etc. These companies do not care what team a player plays for if he is already widely renowned enough to garner their attention. Players in NYC and Chicago are not getting rich on commercials they do for the local BMW dealership or auto detailing shop.

[EldrickOnIce]

The only money McDavid can chase not available in Edmonton is reduced taxes.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

McDavid wanted to be drafted by the Leafs first and foremost but would have been fine with Buffalo due to it's proximity to home. For the same reasons the Flames will likely not be able to retain Gaudreau when his current deal expires, the Oilers will unlikely be able to retain McDavid when he becomes a UFA.

Gaudreau is basically a kid who will grow up in the course of that deal. Who he will be in six years is almost certain to be quite different than who he is today, and there is no telling how strong or diminished his desire to play NHL hockey on the East coast will be by then.

[Magnum PEI]

Originally Posted by JerryUnderscore

I hear this narrative a lot, but when was the last time an elite talent decided to play for their hometown team upon becoming a UFA? Stamkos was probably the closest that I can think of, but he still decided to re-sign in Tampa.

As much as we can hope that McDavid will decide to leave Edmonton, he will probably be an Oiler for a long, long time.

Suter and Parise did, not sure if they're technically elite though, but pretty close.

[McG]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

Suter and Parise did, not sure if they're technically elite though, but pretty close.

Same with Subban and Weber.

edit; sorry I think I misquoted. I meant that cornerstone franchise players were traded after signing big deals.

[drewtastic]

Quite the harrowing experience on my drive home tonight. I just about had a heart attack because of this (see photo).

Luckily, turns out it was just a jeep ahead of me--for a minute, I thought I'd turned into the Edmonton Oilers...

Spoiler!

[schteve_d]

I suspect after last night's game we'll see some Oiler fans around here today?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

The only money McDavid can chase not available in Edmonton is reduced taxes.

That's a number not to be sneered at. But when I hear players talk, they love the warm climate lifestyle. You can't pry Doan out of Phoenix. Warrener loved Florida.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

That's a number not to be sneered at. But when I hear players talk, they love the warm climate lifestyle. You can't pry Doan out of Phoenix. Warrener loved Florida.

That plus sometimes they want some privacy away from the rink. Some players just have a threshold of how much fan art they want to sign over the course of their career.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Robbob

That plus sometimes they want some privacy away from the rink. Some players just have a threshold of how much fan art they want to sign over the course of their career.

Damn you for making me think of that painting.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Damn you for making me think of that painting.

I'm sure McDavid also wakes up in a cold sweat at night sometimes thinking whether tomorrow will day he gets abducted and thrown into a well with crazy a crazy Edmonton fan screaming 'he puts the jersey on'. Crazy Oiler fan or Katz, either works in this scenario.

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by JerryUnderscore

I hear this narrative a lot, but when was the last time an elite talent decided to play for their hometown team upon becoming a UFA? Stamkos was probably the closest that I can think of, but he still decided to re-sign in Tampa.

As much as we can hope that McDavid will decide to leave Edmonton, he will probably be an Oiler for a long, long time.

I don't think you can ignore the fact that none of the Oiler greats finished their careers in Edmonton.

[calgaryred]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I don't think you can ignore the fact that none of the Oiler greats finished their careers in Edmonton.

True but there wasn't a salary cap back then. Players left for more money cause they could get it in a larger market.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

[ThisIsAnOutrage]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

The only money McDavid can chase not available in Edmonton is reduced taxes.

Once a UFA, he will also be able to pick the NHL city he wants to live in. Lifestyle can be a big draw too. He's traveled around the league for a few seasons now and has seen how Edmonton stacks up to other cities. Plus the opportunity to escape Katz and Katz Jr. has to be appealing in its own right.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Robbob

That plus sometimes they want some privacy away from the rink. Some players just have a threshold of how much fan art they want to sign over the course of their career.

Nevada has no state income tax.

McDavid next captain of the Knights?

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Nevada has no state income tax.

McDavid next captain of the Knights?

If I was the the Oilers and had to lose McDavid, LV would be the team if it is true that they are guaranteed a top pick regardless if they finish higher in the standing for the first few years.

[dash_pinched]

Gary Bettman wants to bring the NHL entry draft and the All-Star game to Edmonton. Also, some comedy gold from the commish below...

The commissioner also offered his thoughts on the Oilers, who are enjoying a strong season and are in the hunt for a Western Conference playoff spot.

"It's a bit of fun to see the team perform better than it has in the last few years in the first year in its new home," he said. "Maybe some people would say there is a connection between the two."

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/b...game-edmonton/

[ernie]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

That's a number not to be sneered at. But when I hear players talk, they love the warm climate lifestyle. You can't pry Doan out of Phoenix. Warrener loved Florida.

True climate is likely a factor and this is especially the case for someone who has experienced the warmer climate. For those that haven't, and I draw from personal experience, you tend to think "pfft I'm from Canada/Minnesota/Wisconsin who cares about the cold". That's a lie you tell yourself but you don't know it's a lie until you experience the other side of things.

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by JerryUnderscore

I hear this narrative a lot, but when was the last time an elite talent decided to play for their hometown team upon becoming a UFA? Stamkos was probably the closest that I can think of, but he still decided to re-sign in Tampa.

As much as we can hope that McDavid will decide to leave Edmonton, he will probably be an Oiler for a long, long time.

I don't think you can ignore the fact that none of the Oiler greats finished their careers in Edmonton.