NHL, NHLPA in ‘really good shape' on talks for new CBA: Bettman
EDMONTON - NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says the league and its union are in 'really good shape' with negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Speaking ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, he added that this round of talks with NHL Players' Association executive director Marty Walsh are 'no comparison' to past CBA discussions.
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CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Let bygones be bygones? Fans weigh in on criticism of Wayne Gretzky over Trump ties
It wasn't long ago that some Canadians were up in arms about hockey legend Wayne Gretzky's ties to U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. But as the Edmonton Oilers skate their way through the Stanley Cup final, hockey fans say it's time to let bygones be bygones. "I don't think it matters," said Craig Hiscock, a longtime Oilers fan, as he posed Wednesday for a photo with a statue of Gretzky outside Rogers Place in Edmonton ahead of Game 1. "Let's forget about the past. What he did here was a lot for the city, a lot for hockey." The Gretzky statue was vandalized in March and smeared with what appeared to be and strongly smelled like feces. On Wednesday, a hip-high metal fence was up around the bronze figure. An online petition started in February calling for a new name for Wayne Gretzky Drive also has about 14,000 signatures. WATCH | In race for the Cup, Edmonton becomes Canada's team - for the most part: Are the Edmonton Oilers 'Canada's team'? 20 hours ago Duration 25:45 Gretzky, the Ontario-born hockey star who led the Oilers to four Stanley Cup victories in the 1980s, recently drew the ire of Canadians for his public support of Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his desire for Canada to join the U.S and become its 51st state. The Great One was photographed with Trump several times at the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. In January, Gretzky and his wife, Janet, attended Trump's inauguration in Washington. Frustrations grew after he appeared as honorary captain for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off final with the United States. Video footage showed him giving the U.S. team a thumbs-up as he walked to the ice. Gretzky also congratulated Dallas Stars players in their locker room last month, after they advanced to the Western Conference final. The Oilers eliminated the Stars in five games and now have one win against the Florida Panthers in the Cup final. Game 2 is Friday night. 'We love him' Brian Foulken, who became a fan during the Gretzky era and collects Oilers merchandise, said Gretzky's accomplishments, including multiple scoring records that stand to this day, still resonate with people. As for the criticism, Foulken said people are going to have their own opinions. "At the end of the day, [Gretzky] played here for a long time. The diehard Oilers [fans], we love him," he said outside the arena before Game 1. "He's an amazing player." Foulken added that current Oilers captain Connor McDavid is inching closer to Gretzky-level greatness. Darren Rogers, a Gretzky fan since the Oilers' inception into the NHL in 1979, said Gretzky's leadership led the team to win multiple Stanley Cups. Politics aside, that accomplishment should matter more to people in the grand scheme of things, Rogers said. Gretzky was in Edmonton for Wednesday's game. Pink pony bandwagon And as storied as Gretzky is to the Oilers franchise, he appeared to still be catching up to this new generation's fan base. On an American sports network, he sat side by side with commentators, as they discussed the Oilers' new tradition of playing the pop song Pink Pony Club. Players have been tight-lipped about the significance of the Chappell Roan hit, typically heard after the team plays La Bamba by Los Lobos following a win. " Pink Pony — is that a band or is that a song?" the 64-year-old Gretzky asked TNT Sports co-host Paul Bissonnette following the Oilers' 4-3 overtime victory in Game 1. "[Roan] sings a song, 'Pink Pony Club,' and it's famous. It's on the radio," Bissonnette answered. "It's the new generation, Wayne," he added. Gretzky appeared disappointed to learn Roan isn't Canadian, but still seemed eager to check out the song. "I gotta get that [as] my ringtone," Gretzky said.
Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
The NHL has a sports-tax problem, but so what?
For all the chatter these past few weeks about how Florida not having personal income tax has handed the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning an advantage in player recruitment, the noise died pretty quickly Wednesday. Yes, some teams have raised the issue, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told a group of reporters in Edmonton before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final between the Panthers and Edmonton Oilers . But the league isn't worried about it. 'These imbalances have existed forever. Like, there's nothing new here,' he said. 'There are so many reasons why a player may choose to play in a particular location, for a particular team, for a particular coach, that have nothing to do with the tax situation in that market. So, I don't expect it's anything we're going to address proactively as part of this collective bargaining negotiation.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The NHLPA doesn't seem fussed either. Assistant executive-director Ron Hainsey said he was 'baffled' by the discussion, for much the same reason as Daly — this is not a new thing. It's only because the two Florida teams have found success that a spotlight has fallen on them. From a simple accounting perspective, there is a clear advantage. A player's take-home pay in Florida is higher than it is in other jurisdictions, even if property taxes might be higher. That means that to offer a player an equivalent take-home pay to playing in Florida, the actual salary offer from the Panthers or Lightning is lower than what the Canucks might offer. And that obviously means a player signing in Florida, if they are indeed signing for a little less in on-paper salary, leaves more cap room for the team to work to sign another player. 'Marginal at best,' Panthers GM Bill Zito said about whether he has found that players are more willing to sign with his team because the taxes are lower. The equation, simply put, is more complicated. Some players simply want to play in a location more than anything. The taxes are less important to them that the style of living. The Florida tax problem isn't unique to hockey, nor is it a Canada vs. U.S. thing. Different locations in the United States face this same problem — it's an issue that exists in baseball, basketball, football and soccer too. They just don't talk about it. Vancouver Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster admitted this week that taxes are an issue he has faced in trying to sign free agents with Major League Soccer. A couple years ago, he made an offer to a player who was a free agent under the league's rules, able to sign with any team in the league — which is not the case for all players once they are in MLS — and while the player was intrigued by the Whitecaps and the role he might play, he instead signed with a team in a low-tax state. 'He went to one of the tax-free markets because it helped him to make on that amount — $650,000 — $100,000 net more a year,' he explained. For players making that kind of salary, which is less than the NHL's minimum, but a pretty typical MLS wage, that is a substantial difference. And then there's the cost of living. And yet Schuster has built one of the league's most successful teams so far this summer. He has had to work harder to do so, to find players such as Andres Cubas, who has told him that he and his wife and their young children love living in Vancouver even if they could try to move to a city where the cost of living is lower. Cubas is from Argentina, but has also played in France. 'He says his wife is so happy that she lives in Vancouver. … She's not worried about going out with the kids to the playgrounds. So money is not everything for him,' Schuster said. That same principle applies to NHLers. Certainly, if you asked a player if he would like to make more money, he'd surely say yes. But you can't ignore the fact that even in this Stanley Cup Final we can see how money isn't everything. Up against the no-tax Panthers are the Oilers, who play in Alberta, a province where taxes are relatively low in the Canadian sense, but still higher than the Sunshine State. And Edmonton has not only managed to keep Connor McDavid around, they have signed free agents such as Zach Hyman and Evander Kane. Or there's the Winnipeg Jets, who crashed out of the playoffs but were still one of the NHL's best lineups this year. They play in a small city that is far from everything, is cold during the winter, and doesn't have the flashy appeal of bigger cities. And it has high Canadian taxes. But they've made it work. The tax question will be discussed as long as the likes of the Panthers, Lightning, Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights continue to have success. But you know what else is true about them? They're all well-run. And when you ask NHL agents what they advise their players to look for — how well the team is run, how nice the facilities are, how ambitious the organization is — these are all things that go on the list along with, 'How much can they pay me?' pjohnston@
The Province
an hour ago
- The Province
The NHL has a sports-tax problem, but so what?
Soccer is dealing with the Florida tax reality too. And there are good teams in high-tax cities like Edmonton and Winnipeg. So what are we talking about? Get the latest from Patrick Johnston straight to your inbox NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly. Photo by KEVIN KING / KEVIN KING For all the chatter these past few weeks about how Florida not having personal income tax has handed the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning an advantage in player recruitment, the noise died pretty quickly Wednesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Yes, some teams have raised the issue, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told a group of reporters in Edmonton before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final between the Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. But the league isn't worried about it. 'These imbalances have existed forever. Like, there's nothing new here,' he said. 'There are so many reasons why a player may choose to play in a particular location, for a particular team, for a particular coach, that have nothing to do with the tax situation in that market. So, I don't expect it's anything we're going to address proactively as part of this collective bargaining negotiation.' The NHLPA doesn't seem fussed either. Assistant executive-director Ron Hainsey said he was 'baffled' by the discussion, for much the same reason as Daly — this is not a new thing. It's only because the two Florida teams have found success that a spotlight has fallen on them. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. From a simple accounting perspective, there is a clear advantage. A player's take-home pay in Florida is higher than it is in other jurisdictions, even if property taxes might be higher. That means that to offer a player an equivalent take-home pay to playing in Florida, the actual salary offer from the Panthers or Lightning is lower than what the Canucks might offer. And that obviously means a player signing in Florida, if they are indeed signing for a little less in on-paper salary, leaves more cap room for the team to work to sign another player. 'Marginal at best,' Panthers GM Bill Zito said about whether he has found that players are more willing to sign with his team because the taxes are lower. The equation, simply put, is more complicated. Some players simply want to play in a location more than anything. The taxes are less important to them that the style of living. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Florida tax problem isn't unique to hockey, nor is it a Canada vs. U.S. thing. Different locations in the United States face this same problem — it's an issue that exists in baseball, basketball, football and soccer too. They just don't talk about it. Vancouver Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster admitted this week that taxes are an issue he has faced in trying to sign free agents with Major League Soccer. A couple years ago, he made an offer to a player who was a free agent under the league's rules, able to sign with any team in the league — which is not the case for all players once they are in MLS — and while the player was intrigued by the Whitecaps and the role he might play, he instead signed with a team in a low-tax state. 'He went to one of the tax-free markets because it helped him to make on that amount — $650,000 — $100,000 net more a year,' he explained. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. For players making that kind of salary, which is less than the NHL's minimum, but a pretty typical MLS wage, that is a substantial difference. And then there's the cost of living. And yet Schuster has built one of the league's most successful teams so far this summer. He has had to work harder to do so, to find players such as Andres Cubas, who has told him that he and his wife and their young children love living in Vancouver even if they could try to move to a city where the cost of living is lower. Cubas is from Argentina, but has also played in France. 'He says his wife is so happy that she lives in Vancouver. … She's not worried about going out with the kids to the playgrounds. So money is not everything for him,' Schuster said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. That same principle applies to NHLers. Certainly, if you asked a player if he would like to make more money, he'd surely say yes. But you can't ignore the fact that even in this Stanley Cup Final we can see how money isn't everything. Up against the no-tax Panthers are the Oilers, who play in Alberta, a province where taxes are relatively low in the Canadian sense, but still higher than the Sunshine State. And Edmonton has not only managed to keep Connor McDavid around, they have signed free agents such as Zach Hyman and Evander Kane. Or there's the Winnipeg Jets, who crashed out of the playoffs but were still one of the NHL's best lineups this year. They play in a small city that is far from everything, is cold during the winter, and doesn't have the flashy appeal of bigger cities. And it has high Canadian taxes. But they've made it work. The tax question will be discussed as long as the likes of the Panthers, Lightning, Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights continue to have success. But you know what else is true about them? They're all well-run. And when you ask NHL agents what they advise their players to look for — how well the team is run, how nice the facilities are, how ambitious the organization is — these are all things that go on the list along with, 'How much can they pay me?' pjohnston@ Read More
