The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

Is Canada that horrible a place to make millions of dollars and play NHL hockey?

Why is it hardly any of the star Canadian players decide, on their own, to play on a Canadian team?

If you think about all the Canadian stars that DO play for a Canadian franchise, they have either been drafted or acquired via trade: Jarome Iginla, Roberto Luongo, Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza all fit that label. Generally speaking, most of the players seem to enjoy their time with their respective team, as many have signed extensions, sometimes even at a so called "discounted" rate.

But think about it, when was the last time the last time a major unrestricted free agent, from Canada, signed to play with the Edmonton Oilers?

Or maybe I shouldn't restrict this argument to only Canadians. The last few years though, it has been Europeans that have been the face for Canadian hockey: Markus Naslund, Daniel Alfredsson, Mats Sundin, Saku Koivu, even while the loonie was at 63 cents US, still suited up north of the border, and (at least to me anyway) seemed to like it.

I know Marian Hossa signed a one year contract with the Red Wings to try to win a Stanley Cup. But the Oilers offered reportedly $8-9 million a season for the rest of his playing career to suit up for them. The Oilers are a team on the rise: they have a good nucleus of talent that will contend in the near future. But no thanks, he said: I'll take Detroit.

It's a trend I've noticed that I don't like. It's starting to change a little: even Sydney Crosby said before he was drafted he'd love to play for the Montreal Canadiens. But, that's an exception. Why can be done to lure top stars to play in a country that actually cares?

Is the pressure really that too much to take?