Most common no-trade destinations.

[Ozy_Flame]

Pretty sure if Pittsburgh was bottom of the barrel, no one would want to go there either. The thought of playing with Crosby and Malkin is probably a thought that crosses players minds - just ask Jarome Iginla.

Five years ago, would anyone want to go play for the Islanders? THey're one of the best teams in the league.

If Edmonton was a Top 3 team, consistently, with marquee stars (a guy like McDavid in a couple of years comes to mind), I have no doubt their attraction would improve for them.

[Ulrith]

Originally Posted by Mony

Surprised Florida is up there. Not the best team these last few years, but the weather! Also, maybe lack of fans that care.

I suspect after seeing how the Panthers have done this season, it will be much higher on the list of desirable destinations this summer.

[Weitz]

I really think the common denominator, as others have pointed out, is success.

There isn't a team on there that hasn't had some success over the last 8 years or so.

[troutman]

Could be players want to avoid FLA and ARI, because they don't want to be transferred to QUE.

[Phil Russell]

There is no simple formula here folks, and as much as some might like to look down their noses at cities like Edmonton and Winnipeg from their Calgary perch, I can guarantee you that if Calgary had historical performance issues, management problems, salary and tax issues, media problems, etc. like some of these teams have, Calgary would have been mentioned as well. Hey, I like Calgary, it's my hometown, but I also know from firsthand experience that life in cities like Buffalo, for example, isn't nearly as awful as its reputation, and that Calgary isn't nearly as wonderful as many of you would like to think.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I really think the common denominator, as others have pointed out, is success.

There isn't a team on there that hasn't had some success over the last 8 years or so.

I think the fact that Buffalo is high on the list and Detroit isn't mentioned is the case in point. Weather-wise, there is little separating them. Neither are Canadian. Both are likely the same from a travel perspective. If anything, Buffalo is probably a more livable city.

The only thing really separating is that when a player goes to Detroit, they know that management and owners are both willing and capable of putting together a successful team. They can trust that one won't tank. It creates a scenario that feeds off of itself.

Detroit doesn't need to tank because they can always lure top talent. They can lure top talent because they never tank. Of course eventually luck will run out and they may bottom out briefly, but it illustrates why you need to get back on the horse as soon as possible. Too much time at the bottom and the spiral starts moving in the other direction (like what has happened with Edmonton). It's a hard cycle to break as the reputations of teams and management really resonates for a long time.

[Parallex]

Nothing overly surprising. Some combination of bad weather, bad teams, and big pressure. I'm kind of surprised the Habs aren't there due to taxation... guess there are some perks to being an original six.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Mony

Surprised Florida is up there. Not the best team these last few years, but the weather! Also, maybe lack of fans that care.

Yeah, I think the players look at these places kind of similar, but opposite, to the Canadian teams. Playing in front of tiny crowds, and in most cases having more opposing fans than hometown fans in their own buildings would have a pretty grating affect on a team/player. Yet they don't want the pressures of the Canadian market, but likely love the crowd passion. I would think this is why East Coast teams are generally preferred. Other than the obvious travel bonus, the crowds are generally great across the board, but they don't have the constant pressure that Canadian teams do. And they likely aren't as recognizable just strolling down the street as Canadian players, who I imagine get bothered by fans quite a bit.

As far as Calgary goes, I think the thing that puts it above some Canadian teams (including the big market) is that there is a good balance of these things:

- While a Canadian market, the media is not as intense as the big towns.
- Fans do approach players and team officials, but by most accounts are respectful, knowledgeable and aren't generally a pushy bunch (also a cited reason why many actors like the Calgary area. They are approached, but not hounded).
- An objectively "better" city than EDM or WIN as far as location, general aesthetics, weather, and wealth.
- CGY I think has a good reputation among players as a great organization from an owner/head office perspective (a stark comparison to EDM, who have tarnished pretty much any grace they had from their admittedly great history).

It's kind of in-between the pressure cookers of the bigger cities and the desolation of the smaller two. It's a nice happy medium for players that want the passion of hockey fans, but not the Kessel-treatment (although Iggy had his share of heat, it doesn't even touch TO or MTL).

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

The only thing really separating is that when a player goes to Detroit, they know that management and owners are both willing and capable of putting together a successful team.

Meh, If I were to credit ownership/management for anything there it would be it's stability more then anything else + the Red Wings are a storied franchise (and the Sabres aren't).

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Mostly NHLers just want to win. Give Edmonton a top 5 team (barf, I know) and within a few years, I think players would be a lot more receptive to going there.

[Jets4Life]

I read a few years back that Detroit was the most desirable place to play in, due to success of the franchise, and top notch management. I think Winnipeg can possibly move up a couple of notches, if we make the playoffs for 3 years in a row.

[Senator Clay Davis]

^ None of the players actually live in Detroit, they all live in the suburbs 30 minutes away from the city. Despite Detroit itself being broke and crime ridden, Bloomfield Hills (where most of the players live) is actually the 2nd richest city in America.

[automaton 3]

Players want to be part of a successful organization and treated with respect, neither of which Edmonton has going for it.

Some players might place some weight on the weather, but once you factor in that many players have off season homes elsewhere and are on the road for half the season, it might not mean a whole lot.

[DiracSpike]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

Players want to be part of a successful organization and treated with respect, neither of which Edmonton has going for it.

Some players might place some weight on the weather, but once you factor in that many players have off season homes elsewhere and are on the road for half the season, it might not mean a whole lot.

The offseason homes thing is something that doesn't really get talked about much when I think it should. You only live in the city for 6 months minus playoffs, and even then you're on the road like half the time.
Personally I would play in WPG in a second. Yeah it's cold but who cares, they have a great fan base and Chipman and the management team are stand up bros. If you can be a part of a great team you're a legend FOREVER, how many members of the 1999 Dallas stars would be recognized today walking around downtown Dallas.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Meh, If I were to credit ownership/management for anything there it would be it's stability more then anything else + the Red Wings are a storied franchise (and the Sabres aren't).

The players arent living in 8 Mile.

Some of the most affluent neighbourhoods in the US are just outside of Detroit.

[FlamesAddiction]

When I said Buffalo was more livable than Detroit, I didn't mean to imply that players live right in Detroit as opposed to more affluent suburbs. That is of course true in any city for NHL players. I just meant easier to get around, more things in the area to see/visit, and just generally more laid back.

[Robo]

I'm not entirely sure it's just the success of the oilers that keeps players away how many careers has that organization almost ruined or actually ruined?

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by DiracSpike

The offseason homes thing is something that doesn't really get talked about much when I think it should. You only live in the city for 6 months minus playoffs, and even then you're on the road like half the time.
Personally I would play in WPG in a second. Yeah it's cold but who cares, they have a great fan base and Chipman and the management team are stand up bros. If you can be a part of a great team you're a legend FOREVER, how many members of the 1999 Dallas stars would be recognized today walking around downtown Dallas.

As long as you are loyal to the city and team, then nobody will hate you. Teemu is still a God here, and will eventually be honored. Heck, even Bobby Hull is still a legend, and he was a wife beater.

[CliffFletcher]

It's nice that Calgary isn't on as many no-trade lists as Edmonton and Winnipeg. But let's not kid ourselves - most NHLers would prefer not to play in Canada.

And it's not just the media pressure. A lot of these guys want to play in anonymity. When they're young they want to go to clubs and restaurants without being recognized. When they're older they want their kids to be normal (well, normal for affluent kids), not the kids of famous athletes who all the students and teachers know about.

Drew Doughty mentioned in an interview that after the Kings won their first Cup the guys weren't anonymous in L.A. anymore, and it sucked, "like playing in a Canadian city."

I think the successful Canadian franchises will be the ones that have the best drafting and development (which has been the key to the Jets' modest success recent). We'll always be at a disadvantage when it comes to trades and free agent signings.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Give Edmonton a top 5 team (barf, I know) and within a few years, I think players would be a lot more receptive to going there.

If you gave Edmonton a top five team they would still find a way to finish dead last.