Is the average fan now smarter or dumber than 10-15 years ago?

[Victoire HuGo]

With how easy it is to watch hockey, have access to advanced stats or info in general (news articles, educative content), would you say the average fan is now smarter about the game of hockey or the opposite?

Or has Player Cards, hot takes and TikTokification made things worse?

Discuss

 

[AvatarAang]

I assumed we were getting smarter but then I saw threads like this getting posted every day:

Thread 'Is Demidov basically best of Kaprizov + best of Kucherov in one player?'

Apr 10, 2025

From the highlights that Ive seen of him he does seem to have a great eye for playmaking similar to Kucherov. But also the way he skates and handles the puck when going for a goal is similar to Kaprizovs fast and aggressive style.

He seems like a complete forward the likes of which this league has rarely seen.

Really excited to see him on the Habs in playoffs.

• jalapenoWithAnH
• Replies: 15
• Forum: National Hockey League Talk

• 

 

[RevengeOfTheDrai]

Fans who talk well of my team/my team’s players are smarter.

Fans who criticize anything about my team are not! /s

 

[Megustaelhockey]

The league is bigger and covers a wider area than ever before.

So... dumber.

 

[NVious]

I bring down the average (A LOT)

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

I feel like the world got increasingly complex and certain large segments of our society said “I don’t understand and this makes me angry. I want someone to pay.” All the tools to be smarter, now, but we’ve gone backwards.

 

[MrLunatik]

dumber by far

 

[bambamcam4ever]

The quality of discussion on this site has clearly declined. And people posting player cards in lieu of argument or independent thought hasn't helped.

 

[MrLunatik]

The quality of discussion on this site has clearly declined. And people posting player cards in lieu of argument or independent thought hasn't helped.

people think tha since ther eis more information out there, it means they know more... when the opposite is true

 

[Marshall]

I was there. It was the same.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

It’s probably that I have aged and have less time for the average online interaction with the youths. They’re not stupider, I just got older.

 

[Tawnos]

Exactly the same.

 

[JFedol]

A little bit smarter IMO but it also leads to certain obnoxious dickheads who act like their charts or advanced stats are the end all be all for all judgement of every situation lol (I know their probably watching the game as well but my point still stands)

Ngl, but there are definitely some people that need to just sit their ass down and watch the game.

And I also think the statement Ignorance is bliss applies to sports viewing IMO. I'm not sure how to explain it, but it's perfect at times for judgement

 

[MCR74]

What kind of question is that? Have you read HF?

 

[TheGreenTBer]

With how easy it is to watch hockey, have access to advanced stats or info in general (news articles, educative content), would you say the average fan is now smarter about the game of hockey or the opposite?

Or has Player Cards, hot takes and TikTokification made things worse?

Discuss

Seeing as TikTok has literally ruined everything and everyone it's touched, I'd certainly say it's not helped.

 

[Grifter3511]

Well, the American education system (and the Canadian to an extent) is falling apart so regardless of what level of information is available nowadays, the average person is probably more ignorant and not accessing, or properly understanding, and utilizing it.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Most people are dumber than they were.

 

[Ezpz]

Probably dumber. Hockey naturally skews to the dumber side of the spectrum like conspiracy theorists. Brain damage is linked to such views as is currently taking down a certain former global superpower. Doing drugs and playing sports are linked to brain damage.

It's math. Hockey fans are largely dumb as shit.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

I bring down the average (A LOT)

Based

 

[Our Lady Peace]

Well, the American education system (and the Canadian to an extent) is falling apart so regardless of what level of information is available nowadays, the average person is probably more ignorant and not accessing, or properly understanding, and utilizing it.

Pretty much this. And yes, the Canadian education system is failing hard too

We've surely come off as dumber, as goes with our collective consuming of hockey content which we view primarily over social media now. We eat up hot takes that are either from trolls or bots, and our pathetically short attention spans react rather than ignore and/or research for our selves

When I joined this board in 2014, I don't recall emotions being nearly as volatile as they are nowadays

 

[Hank Plank]

I bring down the average (A LOT)

This is totally wrong but also correct.

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

Average IQ in the US and Canada continues to fall, so the answer is clearly that the average fan is dumber.

 

[Flat Ronnie]

What kind of question is that? Have you read HF?

I've also read HFBoards 15 years ago... hard to tell. Let's be reality.

 

[tarheelhockey]

The average person is dumber. Hockey fans never stood a chance.

 

[RevengeOfTheDrai]

Probably dumber. Hockey naturally skews to the dumber side of the spectrum like conspiracy theorists. Brain damage is linked to such views as is currently taking down a certain former global superpower. Doing drugs and playing sports are linked to brain damage.

It's math. Hockey fans are largely dumb as shit.

I’d argue Hockey discourse is actually on the better side when compared to general sports such as soccer or basketball. Those sports have a large fair weather and causal fanbase who’s more interested in drama and storylines than actual games. Hockey fans that I’ve known are usually more die hard and follow the sport more closely.