Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
Confession: I don’t find regular-season hockey entertaining to watch. Full-stop. Haven’t for many years. I follow hockey during the regular season by reading articles and analysis, following stats, etc., and watching maybe 10 or 12 full games in the regular season (some of which don’t involve the Flames).
I follow hockey because of the playoffs. The pace, intensity, emotion, and stakes are so, so much higher that it’s almost a different sport. I watch 1-2 games a night almost every night of the playoffs, including lots of games that the Flames aren’t participating in. That’s the juice.
So from my POV, a regular season finish just outside the playoffs is no better than a regular season finishing at the bottom of the league. It’s worse, in fact, because of how it impacts the draft. At this point as a fan, my primary wish is for the team to draft an elite core than can contend for the Cup and go on deep playoff runs for 5-10 years. To that end, regular season results only matter insofar as they impact draft position.
That’s probably not how most fans approach the team. But I expect I’m not alone, either.
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Honestly, I am in the same boat as you. I have only watched a handful of games this year. Not just because they are losing a lot, but the league as a whole I have simply lost interest in over the past few years. Terrible reffing, gambling ads everywhere, Rogers Sportsnet as a whole, forced to stream on x services, blackouts even when watching games in Europe, etc. Add on constantly rising ticket/concession prices at live games, a local new arena fiasco and a seemingly terrible Flames PR team that can't get their messaging straight. The NHL has done a tremendous job when it comes to pushing fans away while chasing the almighty dollar. None of this will change until the old-ass NHL executive leadership begins to die off and a new guard comes in with a more modern approach.
I still love the stats, chatter on places like CP, highlights, etc. Will all that change if the team gets elite talent and becomes a long-term contender? Undoubtedly. After more than 3 decades of futility, many of us have earned the right to be bandwagoners after following religiously for years with little to show.
First time ever I am on team tank. I don't need another Steve Bégin having the best game of his career on game 80ish to knock the team off an elite draft pick so I can have the pleasure of saying I cheer for wins. Been there, done that. The team is tanking nice and hard and the reward should hopefully be worth it at the end.