Why NHL Players Want to Play in the United States

Every now and then, a player says something that isn’t exactly new, but the way he says it reveals just how important something is. That’s what Taylor Hall did when he talked about the difference between playing hockey in Canada and in the United States.

And if you’ve watched players move around the game long enough, you know exactly what he’s getting at. That’s especially true if you’ve spent any time covering the Toronto Maple Leafs and watching how the pressure can wear on players.

Hall Never Dumped on Canadian Fans, Quite the Opposite

Hall wasn’t taking a shot at Canadian fans. In fact, he said the opposite. The buildings are full, the energy is there, and during the game, it’s as intense as it gets anywhere. That part? No difference. Hockey is hockey once the puck drops.

But it’s everything around the game that changes. In Canada, hockey doesn’t stay at the rink. It follows you home. It’s on TV, it’s on the radio, it’s in your phone, and it’s in your face whether you want it or not. Social media, talk shows, columns—every shift gets picked apart. Every mistake lives a little longer than it probably should. And if things aren’t going well? You feel it. Everywhere.

Hall Compared Playing in Canada with the Green Bay Packers

Hall compared it to playing for the Green Bay Packers, which is actually a pretty interesting way to view it. In those kinds of markets, the team isn’t just part of the city: it is the city. People don’t just follow along; they live it. And that passion is great; until it isn’t.

Because there’s a line where passion turns into pressure. And that’s the part that very few players would ever say out loud. In Canadian markets, especially the big ones, the pressure doesn’t let up. A bad stretch isn’t just a bad stretch—it becomes a story. A slump isn’t just part of the season—it becomes a question about who you are as a player. That kind of environment can sharpen some guys, no doubt. But it can wear others down.

In Carolina, Hall Experiences None of that Same Pressure

Now flip that over to a place like Raleigh, where Hall mentioned things feel a little lighter. The fans still care. The building is loud. But once the game ends, there’s space. You can breathe. You’re not being dissected 24/7.

And honestly, is it any wonder some players prefer that? In fact, is it any wonder that a player would prefer to play in the United States, just for that reason? This isn’t about effort or commitment. It’s about the environment. Some players thrive under the microscope. Others do their best work when the noise quiets down a bit. Neither one is wrong—it’s just different.

Passion for Hockey Just Comes Differently in Canadian Markets

The takeaway here isn’t that Canadian markets need to change. They won’t. That passion is part of what makes hockey matter so much in this country. But Hall’s point is worth sitting with: that same passion can sometimes become a distraction.

And in a league where the margins are razor-thin, even a little distraction can make a difference.

Related: What If Laughton Were Never a Problem in Toronto?