How's your flames passion level?

[Jordan!]

I have no connection with the team since leaving Calgary, didn't really grow up a Flames fan but still enjoy reading from the community here. I enjoy the watching the kids but don't care about the results.

If I had lived in AZ from 2000-present and not just 2009-Present I wouldn't have gotten to enjoy the 04 cup run so i'm thankful for that but I'm definitely less a Flames fan than I really was in my heart, to me it was really the only thing in Calgary that kept me sane was following a local NHL team. The team nearly moving in 2000 made me not take it for granted as a Calgarian but now that i'm not there I don't really have an attachment. Haven't missed a Coyotes game since I got Center ice in 2006 and been living down here has definitely made it easier.

In the end, The Flames filled a gap in my life where I needed them and I watched some horrible seasons and some great ones but I guess in the end I was never really a Flames fan at heart.

Pavel Bure fan until he was traded to Florida
Ignored hockey until year 2000
Visited PHX many times in 2000, became a big Coyotes fan but couldn't watch games in Calgary until 2006 w/ Center Ice
Was a Fan of the Flames from 2000-2009
Moved to PHX 2009
Die hard Coyotes fan - Present

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by pylon

I'm gonna be that guy and say it straight up. I'm in the camp that I grew up with violent, bloody, Bob Probert fight card, Scott Stevens head shot hockey. And as bad as it was for the players health, it was 10 times more entertaining as a fan. They were true gladiators. We are slowly seeing the transformation to soccer on ice. What Ferland did last year against Vancouver was touted as this amazing physical performance. 15 years ago, it was just the way the game was played. It used to be you bragged to other sports fans that hockey players were the toughest athletes alive... I don't know if you can say that anymore. Because they aren't.

Yes the game has changed for the better for the players. But it has lost a significant amount of emotional investment for fans. So it's a catch 22. The players want longer careers and better health, which is 100% understandable. But the fans want the entertaining barn burners of the 80's, which is also understandable. Scientifically the game is better. But the game as a whole is losing it's edge.

When you grew up with V8 obnoxious muscle cars, it's really, really tough to get into Tesla's. Even if they are faster and more refined. They just don't have that same crazy character. And the NHL has completely lost that side of itself.

For me, it's not that I am losing interest in the Flames, as much as I am losing interest in the entire game. People mocked me 10 years ago, when I said we are headed for women Olympic rules, and full cages. In 10 years, the game will be there. Hitting is already half eliminated, as every player is terrified now to catch a guy off guard and get 10 games for an accident. Also, minor hockey is becoming pussified to to the point, that hitting will be gone within a decade. I would also wager significant money, they will be using foam pucks within 20 years.

I understand the reasoning, and I understand the health implications. It doesn't mean I have to enjoy it. Once hitting is eliminated, I'm done with the game.

I'd highly suspect if you went back and watched those games again you'd see their is way more hitting now than there was back then. Less fighting now sure, but I doubt there was more hitting in the 80s/90s than there is now.

[Matata]

I mentally checked out in October, but I'm still paying my centre ice subscription, Gaudreau alone makes me feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

[FBI]

Well after Christmas break and the flames big win streak, I'm back up to about 9/10. Bring on the oilers!

[dino7c]

Passion level is back up...they are in the drivers seat for a playoff spot considering the games in hand and the competition