Why do you watch the Leafs?

[Hellcat]

Simple question why do you watch the Leafs? You can pick 2 options.

Click to read more...

 

[Madap]

Wouldn’t call it an addiction but that’s probably the closest for me. I’ll typically only miss a handful of games a year if I’ve got other commitments.

Or those darn west coast games. I need my beauty sleep before work.

 

[Osmows OReilly]

At this point I don’t know. I started watching when I got into organized hockey when I was like 8 or 9. As a kid I always played sports, primarily hockey, with my neighbourhood friends. I was lucky to grow up much like my parents did where I spent most of my time interacting with people my age rather than inside playing vidya.

I still enjoy the sport even though its quality and the Leafs futility have only gotten worse over time. I guess I would call it a hobby/distraction currently, but the passion for the game only exists in the playoffs at this point. It’s all that matters.

I vote for the first box.

 

[MSZ]

I also voted for the first option.

 

[Voodoo Child]

It’s one of the last vestiges I have of the place I was born and grew up in.

I don’t know why.

 

[3blizzard4]

I'm married and have kids. Leafs my only source of refuge and entertainment.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

This is the first season in decades that I don't intently watch every game and revolve my calendar around watching the leafs.

I knew this would happen in the summer and many other people were saying the same thing. Being an elite team every regular season only to disappoint in the playoffs just seems tiring.

I'll intently watch all 7 playoff games this year before the inevitable game 7 collapse. But the regular season games are just sort of on in the background while I'm doing other things.

 

[Hellcat]

At this point I don’t know. I started watching when I got into organized hockey when I was like 8 or 9. As a kid I always played sports, primarily hockey, with my neighbourhood friends. I was lucky to grow up much like my parents did where I spent most of my time interacting with people my age rather than inside playing vidya.

I still enjoy the sport even though its quality and the Leafs futility have only gotten worse over time. I guess I would call it a hobby/distraction currently, but the passion for the game only exists in the playoffs at this point. It’s all that matters.

I vote for the first box.

I can kinda relate you your story. I'm finding its becoming more about a habit and trying to learn the game better vs a fan addition that I have to watch.

This is the first season in decades that I don't intently watch every game and revolve my calendar around watching the leafs.

I knew this would happen in the summer and many other people were saying the same thing. Being an elite team every regular season only to disappoint in the playoffs just seems tiring.

I'll intently watch all 7 playoff games this year before the inevitable game 7 collapse. But the regular season games are just sort of on in the background while I'm doing other things.

The bolded part resonated with me.

 

[Cams]

At this point I don’t know. I started watching when I got into organized hockey when I was like 8 or 9. As a kid I always played sports, primarily hockey, with my neighbourhood friends. I was lucky to grow up much like my parents did where I spent most of my time interacting with people my age rather than inside playing vidya.

I still enjoy the sport even though its quality and the Leafs futility have only gotten worse over time. I guess I would call it a hobby/distraction currently, but the passion for the game only exists in the playoffs at this point. It’s all that matters.

I vote for the first box.

100 point seasons, and most people considering them a contender is considered getting worse over time????? Either you are among the younger crowd on here or your expectations might be out of reach?

This era (2010-present) has been pretty exciting for me after the Burke/Nonis/JFJ seasons. Try being a Leafs fan in the '80s........talk about futility! The futility of that time will never be equalled or surpassed.

I started watching hockey with my Dad who is a huge Leafs fan, and was lucky enough to be around to see a few Cup winning teams (grew up with Jim Dorey in Kingston). I'm pretty sure I vaguely remember my Dad being so happy/excited when they knocked the Islanders out in game 7 in 1978, so 5 year old me was pumped too.

I voted "It's an addiction...", because that is the closest to what I would reason as to why I watch the Leafs. But really...I watch the Leafs because I am fan of the team, and it's always been a part of my life. I am also a hockey fan in general, but seldom watch other teams play, as I am not hockey obsessed (my life does not revolve around hockey...anymore).

To me, options 2 & 3 are kind of unusual/irrelevant to "watching the Leafs", esp #3 as you saying that you don't the Leafs in particular...... why would you watch the Leafs as opposed to watching whatever other teams might be playing?

 

[ACC1224]

I'm a fan. Always have been, always will be.

 

[Buds17]

My favourite team playing my favourite sport?

 

[Nineteen67]

I often wonder why Leafs‘ fans, particularly those that live in Toronto, don’t watch hockey other than the Leafs.

Usually around this time of year I watch games involving playoff races and filter out the pretenders and focus on the teams I think are going to go on a run. In the past, the Leafs were off the radar by now, whereas this year I think they may win a round so they are little more interesting.

 

[Clyde Brewer]

It's the home team, I was brought up with them and I can't abandon them now. I don't really see a choice in the matter.

Go Leafs go

 

[Morbo]

Nowadays mostly because they have Matthews and Marner, the type of talents I can recall only wishing we had in my younger days as a fan. They are genuinely great players (in short supply for this franchise in recent decades). I don't know who the next guy we draft that scores 60 goals and wins a Hart Trophy will be...easily might never happen again in our lifetimes.

 

[ACC1224]

I often wonder why Leafs‘ fans, particularly those that live in Toronto, don’t watch hockey other than the Leafs.

Usually around this time of year I watch games involving playoff races and filter out the pretenders and focus on the teams I think are going to go on a run. In the past, the Leafs were off the radar by now, whereas this year I think they may win a round so they are little more interesting.

Everyone I know watches other teams play.

 

[WillyC]

Who doesn’t love magic?… obviously watching to see Mitchell the Magician perform his awesome magic on ice.

 

[Nineteen67]

Everyone I know watches other teams play.

Informal surveys taken over the yrs indicated that ~ 80 percent of Leafs fans don’t watch the playoffs.
Rogers’ ratings has taken a hit when the largest market tunes out after the first round.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

It's in my DNA to be a fan of this team. I was turned on to the Leafs by my grandfather in the '60's. Growing up my general demeanor was dependent on whether the Leafs won or lost the previous evening. As I've grown older, I manage my emotions much better (wisdom of aging?). I've come to understand that it's just entertainment and enjoy the ride. But damn this team can still really piss me off at times, lol

 

[jamo27]

I think i'm a masochist.

 

[leafsfan5]

I have a crippling addiction

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Grandfather: Fan
Father: Fan
Myself: Fan
Niece/Nephew: Fan
My Son: Fan

Please don't put TOR in the Dodgers/Cowboys category.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

At this point I don’t know. I started watching when I got into organized hockey when I was like 8 or 9. As a kid I always played sports, primarily hockey, with my neighbourhood friends. I was lucky to grow up much like my parents did where I spent most of my time interacting with people my age rather than inside playing vidya.

I still enjoy the sport even though its quality and the Leafs futility have only gotten worse over time. I guess I would call it a hobby/distraction currently, but the passion for the game only exists in the playoffs at this point. It’s all that matters.

I vote for the first box.

Sums up my thoughts pretty well. The NFL has become my #1 sport to watch now, I actually enjoy watching football. Corporate Hockey has turned me off, and even though I'm still a Leaf fan, I only watch end-of-season and playoff Leafs' hockey now. The season is too long, the hockey is frankly, boring, low intensity "hackey" because of that.

Once the Leafs bow out in the playoffs, hockey season is over for me, except for watching the Stanley Cup deciding game.

 

[Osmows OReilly]

100 point seasons, and most people considering them a contender is considered getting worse over time????? Either you are among the younger crowd on here or your expectations might be out of reach?

This era (2010-present) has been pretty exciting for me after the Burke/Nonis/JFJ seasons. Try being a Leafs fan in the '80s........talk about futility! The futility of that time will never be equalled or surpassed.

I started watching hockey with my Dad who is a huge Leafs fan, and was lucky enough to be around to see a few Cup winning teams (grew up with Jim Dorey in Kingston). I'm pretty sure I vaguely remember my Dad being so happy/excited when they knocked the Islanders out in game 7 in 1978, so 5 year old me was pumped too.

I voted "It's an addiction...", because that is the closest to what I would reason as to why I watch the Leafs. But really...I watch the Leafs because I am fan of the team, and it's always been a part of my life. I am also a hockey fan in general, but seldom watch other teams play, as I am not hockey obsessed (my life does not revolve around hockey...anymore).

To me, options 2 & 3 are kind of unusual/irrelevant to "watching the Leafs", esp #3 as you saying that you don't the Leafs in particular...... why would you watch the Leafs as opposed to watching whatever other teams might be playing?

I’m probably the youngest poster on here so my perspective is more negative. 2012-13 was my first season just to be precise.

I don’t see how me wanting them to win playoff rounds and eventually a Cup is an unrealistic expectation, and yeah, I wasn’t around for the truly awful years but they’ve had successful regular seasons since Matthews has been drafted. Do you think it gave Ovechkin any joy winning multiple Presidents Trophies only to get bounced in the playoffs? I doubt it.

Sums up my thoughts pretty well. The NFL has become my #1 sport to watch now, I actually enjoy watching football. Corporate Hockey has turned me off, and even though I'm still a Leaf fan, I only watch end-of-season and playoff Leafs' hockey now. The season is too long, the hockey is frankly, boring, low intensity "hackey" because of that.

Once the Leafs bow out in the playoffs, hockey season is over for me, except for watching the Stanley Cup deciding game.

I started watching the NFL finally this year after watching the Superbowl every year as a sort of tradition. It’s nice to watch a new, fun sport with no expectations that honestly delivers a better product even with its issues.

 

[tmlms13]

Same reason I am a Blue Jays, Raptors, and Bills fan.

The are the local team and of a sport I like to watch.

 

[authentic]

Been obsesssed with everything hockey my whole life, and grew up and still live near Toronto. There were a few years there after Kessel left and before Matthews and Marner showed up that I stopped tuning in to Leafs games regularly though.

Or one year rather, felt like a few anyway.