Folks get bitter when they've been going through this nonsense for years from all comers. When folks - incuding major news outlets! - are so completely devoid of empathy as to be celebrating that possibility of you losing your team in your face while you're
mourning the passing of a community giant that made the team possible, it's more than a little difficult to stay "calm and reasonable and balanced" about the subject. To the best of my knowledge, that in particular is a line that's only been crossed by one side in this debate. And while I'm not pointing the finger at you personally, or anyone else in this thread, y'all are still trying to "equal time" that and it's really kind of fundamentally not equal to begin with.
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That's because
that's exactly what was being said, explicitly, for decades. Both of the teams I'm a fan of have been explicitly targeted in the past by that rhetoric. It's not being said out loud anymore, to be sure, but we're not sure to what degree that genuinely is folks being more empathetic versus folks just deciding they're not going to say the quiet part out loud.
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Again. After years and years and years of being regularly and consistently browbeaten about how you don't deserve to exist as a hockey fan, not just by random fans but by media organizations and industry influencers, people can get really, really bitter. That doesn't justify it (EDIT: and speaking personally I'm none too pleased with Panthers fans who got into that nonsense) but it does go some way towards explaining it.
I don't disagree with anything you say. And I don't doubt that the critical views of Canadian fans towards non-traditional markets are louder and more obnoxious than how some of the US fans are towards the Canadian teams. Why? I don't know. Maybe they fear that grass roots Canadian hockey is being threatened. Maybe when it comes to hockey Canadian fans are just plain old louder (think English soccer hooligans)
Besides, the whole "Make it 7" thing was, iirc, started by Jim Balsille (who nobody liked, anyway). The guy and his push for the NHL in Hamilton is a textbook example of what NOT to do if you want to buy and relocate a sports team. I actually think that TNSE, when pursuing the NHL in Winnipeg watched him and was like, "Yeah, let's not do that." But I digress.
But I can assure you that the critical opinions of markets like Columbus, Nashville and Tampa are long gone. Sure it's probably still out there among some fans, but their idiots and aren't worth a nickels worth of your attention.
I can actually relate in a different way as I used to be a Vancouver Grizzlies basketball fan. And seeing how they were treated by the league and fans and even players, ya it sucks and no fan should have to tolerate that regardless if they are Canadian or American.
Honestly the only true criticism from Canadian fans towards any US based team in recent years has been Arizona, but honestly that's a bit understandable. And even then I think it was more about how they felt the league was "coddling" them. Hell, I think Thrashers fans have a right to be pissed about that, too! Why didn't the league take control of then until they found a new local owner? Atlanta is a major corporate hub, no shortage of potential owners. Was i happy that Winnipeg got their ream back? Of course. Was I happy that it came at the expense of a team that didn't even really struggle with attendance? No way.
As a former Grizzlies fan, I couldn't relate more to Thrashers fans. Very similar, unfortunate situation.
I had nothing against Arizona, but it wasn't working out and I'm glad that they are now in a market that will likely support them, even though it's not in Canada. And I even hope that Arizona can get their shit together and rejoin the league in the next few years with a new downtown arena.
At the end of the day, regardless of where we come from we are all prone to irrational opinions towards other markets, especially on the internet when we are all protected with anonymity. And honestly, if the Canucks can't do it this year, I want the Blue Jackets. Win it for Johnny and Matt!
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