Decide My NHL Fandom

[Harthan]

I intend to watch some hockey next season. There's no team in Cleveland, and everyone unanimously agrees that the Columbus Blue Jackets suck. Plus, I hate Columbus. So fuck that. I'm opening it up to the forums at large to pick my fandom. Make a case for the teams you like or think I would like, I'll shortlist four or five and watch some games of theirs from last season and make a final decision. I'll probably hand out rep to anyone who gives me a good case, just to sweeten the pot.

One more thing. I'll listen on the Devils and Rangers, but since this is where I'm probably going to be discussing anything hockey related, I'm inclined to stay out of that particular feud around here.

 

[Remix]

New Jersey Devils, just to piss off IDR.

Or to stay out of it, the Detroit Red Wings, because Dr Cox supports them.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

Be a Red Wings fan, chicks dig winners.

 

[GI Cake]

Be a Blackhawks fan....Because fuck you that's why.

 

[Ty Burna]

Minnesota Wild. Why? You're from Cleveland you always root for the little guy.

 

[Showtime]

Minnesota Wild. Why? You're from Cleveland you always root for the little guy.

I think signing the 2 biggest free agents available no longer qualifies the Minnesota Wild as "the little guy".

You want little guy, try the newest and smallest NHL market to hit the scene. Try the Winnipeg Jets. Home of the loudest fans in hockey. Just ask the Minnesota Wild when about 5,000 of us made the trip down there.

 

[Ty Burna]

I think signing the 2 biggest free agents available no longer qualifies the Minnesota Wild as "the little guy".

You want little guy, try the newest and smallest NHL market to hit the scene. Try the Winnipeg Jets. Home of the loudest fans in hockey. Just ask the Minnesota Wild when about 5,000 of us made the trip down there.

I got nothing on that other then Parise is from Minnesota and wanted to come and play at home again. Suter's wife is from Bloomington, Minnesota, so she wanted to move back home as well.

 

[Ty Burna]

I will also take the Dallas Stars as an acceptable answer.

 

[Thriller Ant]

St. Louis Blues.

An up-and-coming team with a bunch of young, exciting players

 

[JGlass]

If the Devils are off the table, I'd recommend the Wild. They just signed two of the best players in hockey to the team making them a playoff team at the very least, and they have other pieces that give them a good chance of making some noise in the playoffs too. They're still probably a few key players away from the cup, but Minnesota is a great hockey state and the team has shown it's willing and able to dish out big bucks to get great players.

If not that, I suggest the Blackhawks. They have kickass uniforms, a legacy, and they have a very, VERY potent looking roster. They're my Western Conference team too, so we'll have that in common.

 

[Megatron]

Spoiler

^^^ Those guys. Plus they're within reasonable driving distance from Cleveland if you ever wanted to go to a game.

 

[cawsnallthis]

Nashville Predators! Good, young team, solid organization, great goalie, expanding fan base, cool city with a lot of fun stuff to do, and driving distance from Cleveland.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

If you want a Midwest team the Blues, Blackhawks, and Predators are all good picks.

Since Indiana has no team I root for the Avalanche, and despise the Redwings. The very first hockey game I played when I was 7 had them listed first alphabetically so I started rooting for them. Plus their alternate logo is the Yeti footprint, pretty boss if you ask me

 

[justinsayne]

Well Detroit & Pittsburgh seem to be the other 2 closest teams to you, so they'd likely be the easiest to find on TV in your market, & both are teams built to win now.

Aside from them, Wild are a good choice, they've been adding alot of solid young talent & will likely be set to make a serious run at the Cup in the near future. Kings were a fun team to also watch through out the playoffs this year, & just won the cup, I don't think they've lost too many of the key players from this past year run so they should continue to be a blast to watch next season as well. Blackhawks are another solid choice, lots of good young talent so they should be making playoff appearances for some time as well, & are pretty fun to watch as well.

 

[Pepe Silvia]

it's hockey.

EVERYONE

 

[Harthan]

Alright, Detroit is on the short list. I don't know, Pittsburgh is a little uncomfortable for me. I can get behind the Pirates, because they're just too feel-good not to like, but my genetic hatred of the Steelers is difficult to overcome for anyone else. I'll shortlist the Blackhawks, they sound neat. Minnesota is good for that as well. I'll also short list the Avalanche, since we actually do have one of their minor league affiliates here, the Lake Erie Monsters. Rounding things out, I'll take a flier on the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues as well. I like St. Louis, good city, I like the Cardinals, but getting on board with a small market like Winnipeg also sounds interesting. I'll dig up some games and report back with the findings. If anyone wants to recommend good games from last season for these teams, that would help the cause.

 

[Pepe Silvia]

Real advice? Start with 3, pick 1 after 5-10 games.

 

[Natural Selection]

Devils or Red Wings. They exemplify what it is to be a team. Plus they are my favorites and play the kind of hockey I like. Hard forecheck/solid defense, force the opposition to make mistakes and take advantage of it. Also both are solid in the net, but are strong enough teams to overcome a bad goalie night. Red Wings best in the west Devils best in the east IMO

 

[JGlass]

Alright, Detroit is on the short list. I don't know, Pittsburgh is a little uncomfortable for me. I can get behind the Pirates, because they're just too feel-good not to like, but my genetic hatred of the Steelers is difficult to overcome for anyone else. I'll shortlist the Blackhawks, they sound neat. Minnesota is good for that as well. I'll also short list the Avalanche, since we actually do have one of their minor league affiliates here, the Lake Erie Monsters. Rounding things out, I'll take a flier on the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues as well. I like St. Louis, good city, I like the Cardinals, but getting on board with a small market like Winnipeg also sounds interesting. I'll dig up some games and report back with the findings. If anyone wants to recommend good games from last season for these teams, that would help the cause.

1) Detroit- Detroit is like the Yankees of the NHL. They're the homer team. They have a great tradition and all, but it would still be like rooting for the Yankees.

2) Penguins- It would be too easy to root for the Penguins. Additionally, Sidney Crosby is a notorious asshole.

3) Blackhawks- I'd put them on your very short list. They've got a solid legacy and are a very good team, but have also gone through long stretches of struggling.

4) Minnesota- I like them for you because they've just given their team a SERIOUS facelift. Imagine you bought the NHL 12 video game and did a fantasy draft. It would be like that for you. They have a few great players and a bunch of pieces that you can grow to know and love.

5) Avalanche- I wouldn't shortlist them. They're not very good, their uniforms are stupid looking, and they lack a legacy for you to get into. They have one cup, but everyone from that team is long gone.

6) Winnipeg Jets- If you want a small market team, follow one with a history of success like the Devils, Predators, or San Jose. The Jets likely aren't getting better anytime soon.

7) St. Louis- This is another good choice. The team has been getting progressively better over the past few seasons and it's only a matter of time before they make a lot of noise in the playoffs.

So my opinion for your final three: Chicago, Minnesota, St. Louis.

 

[Harthan]

I'll trust your judgment, JGlass. You haven't steered me wrong yet.

 

[The Dewbliners]

Know what? Fuck what everypony else says, stand tall with your Ohio brethren, and support the Jackets. Otherwise, we could lose them forever (FOREVERRRRRR! *In Pinkie Pie's voice*) to some shit hole north of the border known as Quebec City....