Gauging fan interest from last season to next season

[WTFMAN99]

There is gonna be a bit of a long winded question so please read it all;

How engaged were you with the team this most recent season, did you watch all of the games? Most? Some games? Less than usual? and why?

If Sept 1st rolls around, the core 4 are here, Keefe is here, Rielly is here and we've changed things on the fringes...where do you see your level of interest / engagement in watching the team next season? Will you still watch every game? most? some? less? Why?

I know some people watch less as they get older with more responsibilities, kids, wife, job responsibilities etc so it's not because there is displeasure with the team or anything, you love the team but life is busy.

My answer:

I'll be in honest in that my viewing habits having been on the downswing for the last couple of seasons, I don't even know if I sat through 10 entire games last year, maybe the odd period etc but I just didn't care. I check in for the playoffs because at that point, that's what I need to see, playoff success.

I thought the series win would have re-invigorated me as a fan and then the way things ended with Florida...it felt like all that goodwill and optimism just went in the toilet.

Now seeing that this team could be more or less the same collection of losers next season? I'm thinking I am gonna be in the range of 0-5 games, Knies would be about the only intriguing to see at this point until the playoffs rolled around again, maybe Woll's starts too.

Where are you at as a fan?

Click to read more...

 

[ACC1224]

Nothing has changed for me. I'll still watch every game that I'm able to.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Nothing has changed for me. I'll still watch every game that I'm able to.

Me too.

 

[hullsy47]

Me too.

If they run back the same group I'll just focus on football and wait till trade deadline time to get serious
Obviously ahanahan feels he has a top team so I'll just let it lay
I for one like change and think treliving would do something major but he's really not GM is he ?

 

[EGL22]

For me it has become wash,rinse,repeat for the last 5 years.

I expect a big winning regular season,the changes made to me meant nothing,quick playoff exit.

Next year expecting the team to remain the same I have no reason to expect different so I will watch regular season games against the top half teams and pass on the lower lousy teams unless there is nothing else to do.

Pond hockey has some good games and good plays and lots of goals and they usually win them so it is entertaining.
I just make sure to never think of the word playoffs while I watch.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Nothing has changed for me. I'll still watch every game that I'm able to.

Me too.

You guys are true die hards. I'm finding of my friends that are hockey fans, it's 50/50.

There are some that are basically checked out and need to see something to be interested and then I have the others that won't miss a game, they will PVR etc.

 

[ACC1224]

You guys are true die hards. I'm finding of my friends that are hockey fans, it's 50/50.

There are some that are basically checked out and need to see something to be interested and then I have the others that won't miss a game, they will PVR etc.

It's just entertainment, I don't live or die with it. I'll watch because I enjoy it, if there is something else going on I'll do that, same as always.
I don't plan my life around it.

One thing I can say is I don't think I will attend as many games live as I use to.

*** what I don't understand is the crowd that will watch every game and just complain that it's meaningless until the playoffs start.

 

[Peasy]

Watched a bit at the beginning of the season, and then towards the end especially when Knies came, then of course the playoffs.

I used to watch every game that I could, but just felt fed up with the team after the Tampa series loss.

Next season I will probably watch even less regular season Leaf games. I just have other things I would rather spend my time with. Not much likeability among this group imo. All the contract shit really soured me and we just get to begin that circus again!

I'll still follow them closely and everything, just wont be giving them 9 hours of my attention a week in the evenings.

Also I think a big reason why I stopped early last season was the new f***in digital boards. Couldn't stand them and still cant stand them.

 

[TheProspector]

I checked out from this team last year. I just can't do it.

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

Been losing steady interest since the pandemic. It is nice to watch my team win, but I have other hobbies that take up my time, and lately I have been very disappointed with the direction of the NHL overall.

 

[TheVision]

40yrs, not going anywhere now. Being a lifer Leafs fan truly teaches you to have low expectations in life; there are only pleasant surprises. Hopefully Treliving can provide a surprise or two.

 

[The Iceman]

Watched a few games live at the local establishment, recorded the rest.
Some using more of the FF button than others.
That is the best way to watch regular season IMO. My wife is a fan too so very easy to decide what to watch at home Leafs nights.

Get whatever you have to do done, and FF through commercials and delays.
It is absolutely entertainment and this team is entertaining to watch and follow.

My biggest debate with my buddies who aren't Leaf fans revolve around us not winning playoff series.
Very true but as a fan, entertain me all season, get a ticket to the playoff lottery and i am good.

 

[ULF_55]

Surprising this Top 4 team is less enjoyable than some of the teams in the past that were not as talented.

I tend to PVR and watch depending on outcome much more frequently than in the past.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Not interested in watching the same core 4 and same coach. What’s the point? The regular season is a gigantic waste of time. I am very disappointed with the Leafs and the NHL lately. It’s a shame because winters can get quite long if you don’t have any games to look forward to watching in the evenings after work. Oh well. The Leafs are delusional thinking their product is so amazing. And so is the NHL.

 

[Cams]

I will still watch every game I am able to as well. I'm a Leafs fan, always will be. As @ACC1224 said, I watch because I enjoy it. Why would I change that? I still find it entertaining, and we have a very good team to cheer for. Frustrating? For sure.... what fun would it be without adversity?!

I am curious what any who only claim to watch a few games in the regular season, but watch the playoffs unfold will say if there is a deep run......are you really a hard core/die hard fan, and are you going to crow about how you never missed a game???

 

[WillyC]

I’ll be watching and cheering them on every game… regular season and playoffs.

 

[mydnyte]

gauge it in August ...it's been too quiet, and zero actual changes so far.

 

[Racer88]

For my self this is probably the most down I have been about the Leafs in a very long long time. Will it affect the rest of my life………..of course not but I also won’t go out of my way to watch every game. At least I don’t think I will but who knows

 

[nsleaf]

Nothing changes. Will keep watching as much as possible.
It's great entertainment.

 

[ShaneFalco]

There is gonna be a bit of a long winded question so please read it all;

How engaged were you with the team this most recent season, did you watch all of the games? Most? Some games? Less than usual? and why?

If Sept 1st rolls around, the core 4 are here, Keefe is here, Rielly is here and we've changed things on the fringes...where do you see your level of interest / engagement in watching the team next season? Will you still watch every game? most? some? less? Why?

I know some people watch less as they get older with more responsibilities, kids, wife, job responsibilities etc so it's not because there is displeasure with the team or anything, you love the team but life is busy.

My answer:

I'll be in honest in that my viewing habits having been on the downswing for the last couple of seasons, I don't even know if I sat through 10 entire games last year, maybe the odd period etc but I just didn't care. I check in for the playoffs because at that point, that's what I need to see, playoff success.

I thought the series win would have re-invigorated me as a fan and then the way things ended with Florida...it felt like all that goodwill and optimism just went in the toilet.

Now seeing that this team could be more or less the same collection of losers next season? I'm thinking I am gonna be in the range of 0-5 games, Knies would be about the only intriguing to see at this point until the playoffs rolled around again, maybe Woll's starts too.

Where are you at as a fan?

I don't watch nearly as many games anymore and right now, with the way things are, I have no interest in investing time watching this group. I'll find other entertainment
Soft, entitled, regular season dynamos who don't seem to take any responsibility for their own lacklustre playoffs
Not a likeable team right now. I had hope when Dubas left, but that has gone out the window - for now

 

[WTFMAN99]

I will still watch every game I am able to as well. I'm a Leafs fan, always will be. As @ACC1224 said, I watch because I enjoy it. Why would I change that? I still find it entertaining, and we have a very good team to cheer for. Frustrating? For sure.... what fun would it be without adversity?!

I am curious what any who only claim to watch a few games in the regular season, but watch the playoffs unfold will say if there is a deep run......are you really a hard core/die hard fan, and are you going to crow about how you never missed a game???

Yes - don't try to police fandom.

 

[nsleaf]

The Leafs bandwagon fills and empties every season, nothing new.

 

[HockeyVirus]

If I had the ability to not care about this team I would have already. I'll watch every game including every prospect and pre-season games like usual.

But I will be following other teams though for entertainment because no matter how good the boys play this year, we know that when the season ends it doesn't matter.

So enjoy it for what it is because there will be a time sooner than we think where playoffs are not a guarantee

 

[Aashir]

I watched most games this season. Less than last year and even less than the year prior

I’d say I watched 60ish games this year, 75ish the year prior and all of them even before that

In19-20 and 20-21 I used to be sad if I missed a game, and would he pretty down if we lost. Now I don’t really care

That florida series loss didn’t hurt anywhere near as the past

I think if everything stays course I’ll still watch 50-60 games, at the end of the day I still enjoy the game and it’s a good time killer

 

[LeafSteel]

With everyone looking to run it back, with Keefe at the helm, any interest I have at the beginning of the season to the TDL will be specifically be around the progress of :

1. Knies
2. Robertson
3. Liljegren
4. Timmins

The rest bores me. We know we are a great regular season team, but it means nothing. I will be interested to see the summer acquisitions, if we finally secure a true 1 RHD, as well as as any UFA's or trades.

Also more interested in how the contracts for Matthews, Nylander, and Marner shakes out. They've been paid incredibly well. If they are going to persist is short-term max contracts, my interest in them goes down dramatically. Tired of entitlement. They've been well comped and accomplished nothing. Buy into the Team or go somewhere else and squeeze pennies where no one gives a rats ass who you are.

Regular season means nothing, and this team has shown time and again they don't have it between the ears to do what needs to be done to press into the playoffs in any meaningful way.

The rinse and repeat has gotten beyond boring, but I love the Team.

My kids aren't as invested, and I've already seen my 18 year old lose interest. I can see my 14 year old follow suit as well. They've stuck with this team, when their school-mates were all "Leafs Suck".

All they've seen is poor playoff performances, so maybe they really do suck?