5G is integral when streaming live sports games. With the NHL being so popular across the country, it’s safe to assume that the adoption of 5G has paved the way for nationwide accessibility. After all, the wireless technology boasts higher bit rates and more bandwidth, plus videos can be streamed in 4K without extensive buffering.

All in all, it’s not just the sporting sector that's benefiting from the 5G rollout - in fact, the effects can be felt across the entire entertainment industry.

The Need for 5G Accessibility in Canada

The 5G rollout is giving Canadians across the country the chance to access various forms of entertainment without compromise. With 16% of Canadians living in rural areas, online entertainment is a critical part of the sector. Approximately 61% of Canadians play games online, and 25% are signed up with a live casino Canada. A lot of this is due to 5G paving the way for live games, which consist of classic games like blackjack, roulette, and poker, being played with a real-time croupier online. Naturally, the more interactive elements of live casino gaming require a stable internet connection.

Previous generations of WiFi were generally incapable of supporting streaming or downloading any kind of content from a rural area. However, as a result of increased accessibility, this is no longer the case. In fact, the Canadian casino sector alone is set to be worth US$4.19bn in 2024, with the gaming industry set for a compound annual growth rate of 9.43%. The 5G rollout is benefitting the entertainment sector as a whole, giving Canadians the chance to access not only the sport that they love but a huge range of games, too. 

Rogers Comes Out on Top for 5G Sports Streaming

Accessibility to 5G is widespread. For example, hockey arenas offer protected 5G WiFi connections as a way to boost safety and engagement. Spectators can stay connected, plus 5G also facilitates mobile ticketing - cashless transactions are generally faster, so this improves convenience.

5G is being embraced more than ever, and in countries such as Canada, it’s essential to the streaming ecosystem. In regards to 5G connectivity and sports streaming, Rogers shares the top spot with Telus in Edmonton, Calgary, Quebec, Winnipeg, and Vancouver. In Hamilton, Toronto, and Kitchener, Rogers shares the top spot with Bell, but in Montreal, they offer the best connectivity outright. 

5G is slightly better than previous generations of WiFi including 4G LTE. This is especially the case when you look at speed and latency. 5G NR is built on the foundation of 4G LTE technology and helps to make downloads faster. 4G LTE offers higher data transfer speeds, but 5G offers up to 10 times faster download speeds, as well as low latency, which is critical to the live entertainment sector. 

With a lot of people in the country living in rural areas, getting to hockey arenas isn’t always easy. Thanks to the advent of 5G technology, people can stream their favorite games at home, while also having access to a range of live entertainment. Rogers 5G claims the top spot for now, but as preferences change and new technology is announced, providers such as Telus and Bell are in hot pursuit when it comes to speed, accessibility, and latency-free offerings.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will be doing updates every Thursday.

Here is the tenth current top ten in Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 104 Cup Points:  53 Games, 33 G, 44 A, 77 P, +19, 9.7 PS. (#1 Last Week)

The Boston Bruins (like last year) have been the best team early in the season, and it is the Czech Republic’s David Pastrnak who has led their offensive threat.  He is the league-leader in Shots (264), is third in Points (95), fourth in Goals (33) and Point Shares (9.7) and is eighth in Assists (44) and is Boston’s leading scorer, and is in the top ten in most essential offensive categories.  Could he win his first Hart, but if not, maybe his first NIHOF Cup?   Notably, leaving the All-Star break (where he went to his fourth), Pastrnak is enjoying his biggest Cup Point lead to date.

2.  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 93 Cup Points:  50 Games, 42 G, 21 A, 63 P, +17, 9.0 PS. (#3 Last Week)

The American sniper is back as the league’s top goal-scorer, holding the lead in that (42) and Even-Strength Goals (31), and is also sixh in Point Shares (9.0).  If he holds that, Matthews will win his third Rocket Richard Trophy.

3. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning.  90 Cup Points, 53 Games, 34 G, 56 A, 90 P, +2, 10.4 PS.  (#2 Last Week)

Kucherov is in his tenth season in Tampa, and is putting forth a season that could gain him another Hart or Art Ross Trophy.  He is leading the NHL in Points (90) and Assists (56) and is second in Point Shares (10.4) and third in Goals (34).  It is a minor surprise that he is not first in Cup Points, but at one time, he was very close.

4 TIE.  Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, 84 Cup Points:  54 Games, 32 G, 55 A, 87 P, +15, 9.9 PS. (#4 Last Week)

MacKinnon remains is second in Points (87), third in Assists (55) and is also fifth in Goals (32).  He is also second in Shots (245) and third in Point Shares (9.9).

4 TIE. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 84 Cup Points: 47 Games, 21 G, 56 A, 77 P, +22, 8.6 PS.  (#5 Last Week)

The Edmonton Oilers began the year as a disappointment, but they have been on fire as of late, with a 16-game win streak.  McDavid has not been lighting the lamp like he did last year, but he has however been a great playmaker, and just took over the league-lead in Assists (56).  He is also third in Points (77), seventh in Plus/Minus (+22) and eighth in Point Shares (8.6).  Can he make it back to the top of the mountain and win the NIHOF Cup again?

6. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, 74 Cup Points:  53 Games, 25 G, 28 A, 53 P, +8, 6.3 PS.  (#7 Last Week)

Forsberg holds his spot in the top ten and remains a surprise to be ranked this high.  He added a second All-Star this year (first since 2015) and is fourth Even Strength Goals (22) and sixth in Shots (213).

7. Connor Hellebucyk, Winnipeg Jets, 73 Cup Points:  38 Games, 25-10-3 Record, 2.13 GAA, .926 Save Percentage, 8.8 PS.  (Not in the Top Last Week)

Hellebucyk makes his top ten return and is the leading Cup Points Goalie for the first time.  Hellebucyk is the NHL leader in Goalie Point Shares (8.8) and is second in both Goals Against Average (2.13) and Save Percentage (.926).  He is also fourth in Wins (25).

8. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks, 72 Cup Points:  54 Games, 28 G, 41 A, 69 P, +15, 7.8 PS.  (#10 Last Week)

Pettersson is on pace to match or exceed his 102 Points from last year.  The current league-leader in Game-Winning Goals (9), just added his fourth All-Star and is fifth in Points (69) and tenth in Goals (28) and Assists (41).

9 TIE. Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers, 71 Cup Points:  53 Games, 39 G, 25 A, 64 P, +14, 9.0 PS.  (#9 Last Week)

Currently having the best year of his life, Reinhart is the current leader in Power Play Goals (22), Game-Winning Goals (9) and Shooting Percentage (27.5), and is also second in Goals (39), fifth in Point Shares (9.0), and ninth in Points (64).  Historically a good player, Reinhart has never had a year like this before, and he just enjoyed his first All-Star Game.

9 TIE. Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers, 71 Cup Points:  53 Games, 31 G, 36 A, 67 P, -1, 7.9 PS.  (#6 Last Week)

Panarin is back where he belongs in the top ten, and let’s see if he falls off again.  Currently, he is seventh in Goals (31), eighth in Points (67), and tenth in Assists (36).

Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen and Nashville’s Jusse Saros fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be next Thursday.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the fourth year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic winning the first two, and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers winning last year.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving.  We will update this every Thursday.

Here is the current top ten:

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 219 Cup Points:  53 Games, 4.13 Cup Points per Game, 30.7 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 29.5 PER, 9.1 WS.  Last Week, #2.

The two-time MVP has never had a better supporting cast than he does now, and he is responding by doing what he always does: dominate, and he just took over #1 in Cup Standings.  Antetokounmpo, however has slightly less metrics than previous years, but the arrival of Damian Lillard means he does not have to always carry the load.  The December Eastern Conference Player of the Month is third in Points per Game (30.7), sixth in Rebounds per Game (11.4), and is the league-leader in Field Goals (611). 

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 218 Cup Points:  53 Games, 4.11 Cup Points Per Game, 31.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 30.5 PER, 11.2 WS.  Last Week #1.

Gilgeous-Alexander broke through to the upper-tier last season, and he is proving that this was no fluke.  Taking over last week as the league-leader in Cup Points, though slipping back to #2 this week, he is leading the NBA in Steals per Game (2.2), Steals (115), Points (1,649) Free Throws (424), and Win Shares (11.2).  SGA is also second in VORP (5.5) and Points per Game (31.1) and third in PER (30.5) and Box Plus/Minus (10.0).  The Canadian is now an MVP contender, and could join Steve Nash in that exclusive club.  Even if he doesn’t this year, SGA added his first Player of the Month Award in December, his second straight All-Star and fourth Player of the Week.

3. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 214 Cup Points, 53 Games, 4.04 Cup Points per Game, 26.1, PPG, 12.0 RPG, 8.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 31.1 PER, 10.8 WS.  Last Week, #3.

Last year, Jokic became an NBA Champion and a Finals MVP and shook off what some may have perceived as an MVP snub, however, he fell off the top spot two weeks ago, though is very much in the hunt to reclaim it.  At present, the Joker is leading the NBA in Box Plus/Minus (14.3), VORP (8.8) and Triple Doubles (15).  He is also second in PER (31.1) and Win Shares (10.8), and is fourth in Rebounds per Game (12.0), and Assists per Game (8.9).  Jokic also was named the November Player of the Month.  Can he reclaim the top before the season ends?

4. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 191 Cup Points:  47 Games, 4.06 Cup Points per Game, 34.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 9.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 28.1 PER, 7.9 WS.  Last Week #4.

Doncic is on a four-year streak of First Team All-NBA stars, and he is on pace to add a fifth.  Hs took over the NBA lead in Points per Game (34.2) and is third in Assists per Game (9.5), seventh in Steals per Game (1.4), and is in the top ten in PER (28.1), Win Shares (7.9), Box Plus/Minus (9.7), and VORP (5.2).

5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 181 Cup Points:  52 Games, 3.48 Cup Points per Game, 27.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 22.3 PER, 7.3 WS.  Last Week #4.

Tatum begins the year the way he ended the last one: an MVP contender on a power team.  He has already a nabbed a Player of the Week Award, the November Player of the Month (his third) and is poised to take the Celtics on his back to a title.  He is currently ninth in Points per Game (27.1).

6. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, 181 Cup Points:  54 Games, 3.35 Cup Points per Game, 20.1 PPG, 13.2 RPG, 8.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 23.5 PER, 8.4 WS. (#6 Last Week)

Sabonis is the current rebounding leader (13.2), Rebounds (715), Defensive Rebounds (540), Triple-Doubles (15) and is sixth in Assists per Game (8.3), and is the top ten in VORP (4.2) and Box Plus/Minus (6.6).

7. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, 167 Cup Points:  52 Games, 3.21 Cup Points Per Game, 27.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 22.2 PER, 7.3 WS.  (#7 Last Week).

Jalen Brunson is having the season of his life, and has just added his first (impending) All-Star Game.  He is currently seventh in Points per Game (27.2) and ninth in Win Shares (7.3).

8. Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors, 167 Cup Points, 49 Games, 3.40 Cup Points per Game, 28.3, PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 21.8 PER, 5.3 WS.  (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

The Warriors are ageing around Curry, but the all-time three-point leader continues to find the fountain of youth.  The Dubs are not going to win the title this year, but Curry continues to add to the resume with another All-Star.  He is fifth in Points per Game (28.3).

9. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, 166 Cup Points:  48 Games, 3.46 Cup Points Per Game, 28.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 5.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 23.3 PER, 6.4 WS.  (#8 Last Week).

The Suns have improved after a horrific start, and as long as Durant is healthy, he will always have a place in the top ten.  He has moved up to sixth in Points per Game (28.2) and tenth in VORP (3.5)

10. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers, 163 Cup Points:  52 Games, 3.13 Cup Points per Game, 24.9 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.4 BPG, 25.5 PER, 7.9 WS.  (#10 Last Week)

Davis is currently third in Rebounds per Game (12.2), and is the healthiest he has been in years.   He is also fifth in Blocks per Game (2.5), and sixth in Win Shares (7.9) and PER (25.5).

Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be up on next Thursday.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team.  That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity.  As such, we are very happy to present our post 2022/23 revision of our top 50 Los Angeles Dodgers.

As for all of our top 50 players in baseball we look at the following:

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in Major League Baseball.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, the Dodgers had another great year, with a playoff run, but in their current state, anything other than a World Series Championship is a failure.  The 2023 season gave us one new entry.

As always, we present our top five, which saw no changes.

1. Clayton Kershaw

2. Sandy Koufax

3. Duke Snider

4. Don Drysdale

5. Dazzy Vance

You can find the entire list here.

This is one of the hardest lists to do, and we know positioning Kershaw at the top is controversial considering the legends that he beat out.  Statistically, we can defend it, but in terms of overall legacy, it would be different. 

The lone new entrant was last year’s National League runner-up, Mookie Betts, who debuts at #44.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for more revisions in the future.