NHL Teams with the Most Jaded Fanbases

There are 30 teams in the NHL, and all of them are distinct entities with history of their own. In a way, nothing defines the differences in teams quite like their fanbases—and the variance is enormous, often depending on how long the team has been searching for a championship.

Franchise age has little to do with fan attitude—the Montreal Canadiens have been around for over a century with a mostly content fanbase. Teams that contend annually without winning championships often create salty bunches. The famous Philadelphia Flyers fans are in part jaded by a team that has been in contention— without winning since 1975—and unusual roster decisions that often involve goalies.

Here are the seven NHL teams with the most vocal and jaded fanbases and reasons why it all got to this point in the relationship.

Arizona Coyotes

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The Team Culture: The Arizona Coyotes came from the land of the ice and snow, Winnipeg—and arrived in the Phoenix area in the fall of 1996. Attendances have been up and down since, often reflecting the poor quality of the team and upheaval in ownership. A 2013 article from the Canadian Press (via CBC Sports) illustrates what the team and fans have been facing since the team arrived in the desert.

What Is the Reputation of the Fanbase? Although a jaded group, most NHL fans surely have an empathy for Coyotes faithful. Their meandering experience has included all manner of rumors, including the team moving from the area. An example is Ronda Pearson, who famously addressed Glendale City Council on the issue—as seen in a USA Today feature, authored by Luke Kerr-Dineen. 

Is That Attitude Reflected In the Team? Despite the poor record and three seasons and counting outside the playoffs, Arizona has solid management and coaching. The issues are related to things off the ice, making it difficult for fans and team to establish a normal relationship.

Colorado Avalanche

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The Team Culture: The Colorado Avalanche arrived from Quebec City—the former Nordiques—in 1995 and captivated Denver and area with a Stanley Cup in their first year. A second championship in 2001 gave the Avalanche elevated status and attendance stayed strong through 2006. Since then, the championships have not come and attendance is a moving target. 

What Is the Reputation of the Fanbase? A November 2014 ranking by Matt Larkin of the Hockey News had the Avalanche at No. 27 out of 30 teams. Denver's fans have been showing up with more frequency each year since 2010, so the second golden age may be around the corner—and another Stanley Cup would help a great deal.

Is That Attitude Reflected In the Team? The Avalanche roster is full of exciting young talent, and Denver is clearly engaged in their progress. If the team makes the playoffs and wins a round, we could see an explosion in attendance and Avalanche uniforms in Denver.

Edmonton Oilers

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The Team Culture: The Edmonton Oilers are one of the most successful expansion teams in the NHL. Five Stanley Cups landed in Edmonton, Alberta, between 1984 and 1990, creating a generation of fans with high expectations. Most of the last 25 years have seen the team miss the playoffs, creating an unusual relationship.

What Is the Reputation of the Fanbase? Oilers fans are extremely loyal, reflected by incredible attendance figures—even during the decade outside the playoffs that began in 2007. They are a jaded crew because of the losing, and a fantastic dark humor often accompanies a conversation with a typical fan. Older Oilers fans can be perceived as somewhat arrogant, as they remember the 1980s and gloss over more recent history.

Is That Attitude Reflected In the Team? Edmonton's hockey team is not so much a team as a collection of brilliant No. 1 overall picks touted as saviors. The Oilers have been away from the playoffs for so long the fanbase is best characterized by Bill Murray's character in the movie Groundhog Day. In what might be the most amazing fan story in the NHL, Oilers fans still have faith the good times are just around the corner.

New Jersey Devils

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The Team Culture: The New Jersey Devils won three Stanley Cups between 1995 and 2003. Since then, they have been mostly competitive—including a trip to the final in 2012—but attendance has been down in the last few seasons.

What Is the Reputation of the Fanbase? A 2014 article in the Hockey News by Matt Larkin ranked the Devils fans as No. 21 in the 30-team league. It is understandable at some level because famous Devils such as Martin Brodeur and Patrik Elias were allowed to fade without being replaced by equal talents.

Is That Attitude Reflected In the Team? Devils fans will probably return when the team emerges again as a consistent playoff contender. Few fanbases were as well-served by their team 15 years ago, so there may be a sense of disappointment in the early stages of the ongoing rebuild.

New York Rangers

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The Team Culture: The New York Rangers arrived in the NHL in 1926 and won their first Stanley Cup the following season. The team also won in 1933 and 1940, but their fourth championship didn't come until 1994—an epic dry spell that defined the team as an also-ran for many decades. At this point, more than 20 years after their last championship, the team has had enough recent success to be viewed as a strong annual contender.

What Is the Reputation of the Fanbase? Rangers fans are a loud, boisterous and highly creative bunch. The most famous Madison Square Garden chant is probably "Potvin sucks," which continues to this day despite the fact Denis Potvin has been retired for decades. All hockey fans know the Rangers fans by reputation, making them possibly the most famous group in the NHL. The Rangers fan reflects the city: larger than life, cynical and impossible to ignore.

Is That Attitude Reflected In the Team? The Rangers have had personalities who reflected the fanbase perfectly, but the names possessed a curious combination of skills. Rugged men such as Vic Hadfield and Mark Messier were fan favorites, as were classy players such as Andy Bathgate, Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle.

If there is one thing that all generations of Rangers fans have in common, it might be devotion to goaltenders. In the last 65 years, Gump Worsley, Ed Giacomin, Mike Richter, Henrik Lundqvist and others have been wildly popular at Madison Square Garden.

Philadelphia Flyers

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The Team Culture: The Philadelphia Flyers were part of the massive 1967 expansion and have been an extremely successful franchise. The fans are incredibly passionate and have been since the beginning. A 2014 interview with owner Ed Snider on the team's official site had him recalling over two million people at both Stanley Cup parades after the team won the Cup—and the crowds were massive, even if that number is incorrect.

What Is the Reputation of the Fanbase? A 2008 article by Eric Karabell of ESPN.com asked the question "Are Philadelphia sports fans the best, or the worst?" That debate is still running. What is not in question is the passion, knowledge and endurance of Philadelphia fans—they are loud and proud and in it for the long haul. Flyers fans are certainly jaded but also loyal and protective of their team. It's a complicated relationship.

Is That Attitude Reflected In the Team? The 1970s Flyers of Bobby Clarke and Bernie Parent were known as the Broad Street Bullies, and they were a tough team. Although modern times don't allow for that level of intimidation, the current Flyers—led by Wayne Simmonds and Radko Gudas—play a rugged and successful style.

Vancouver Canucks

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The Team Culture: The Vancouver Canucks arrived in the NHL in 1970 and have been to the Stanley Cup Final three times—most recently in 2011. Canucks fans were loyal and hung around in the following years, although attendances have been down in British Columbia the last two years. 

What Is the Reputation of the Fanbase? Vancouver's reputation as a city with many attractive activities gives the fans leverage against downturns in success for the local team. A Canucks team on the outside of the playoffs becomes a secondary concern and a rebuild could be costly—something David Ebner discussed in a recent Globe and Mail article.

Is That Attitude Reflected In the Team? The players from the Canucks' brilliant team of 2011 have either gone or eroded with time. The Vancouver fans are still engaged but not as committed as they have been in past seasons. It could be a rough period for the team as the fans hit the beach and wait for better days.

Attendance data per hockeydb.com unless otherwise noted.