Fans that support a player once traded from their team.

[LeProspector]

I have noticed something crazy in Erik Karlsson threads this past 4 or so years. And that is Karlsson’s most vocal supporters are not just Sharks fans, but also Ottawa Senators fans.

I feel like this is a rare phenomenon that seldom happens in tram sports, but Hockey in paticular. I feel it is quite rare that fans of teams support even the best of their former players once they‘re playing for another franchise. Things change once players retire, Alfredsson was lambasted when he went to Detroit but after Retirement he is Daniel Alfredsson in Ottawa again for example.

I was wondering if there was any other examples of this where fans of a former player were still cheering on an active player even though said player no longer is employed by their franchise?

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[JoeSakic13]

Boston with Ray Bourque comes to mind.

Spent almost his entire HOF career with the Bruins and left on good terms. So I feel many Bruins fans were happy to see him lift the cup.

 

[TheBeard]

I know he wasn’t traded but sharks still love Pavelski even though he’s on the hated Stars.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

Pittsburgh and Vegas fans for MAF.

 

[Bocephus86]

Boston with Ray Bourque comes to mind.

Spent almost his entire HOF career with the Bruins and left on good terms. So I feel many Bruins fans were happy to see him lift the cup.

This.

Also different sport but Brady. A lot of Pats fans hated to see him go and cheered him on in TB. I know I did.

 

[robertmac43]

I will always cheer for Leafs that went on to have productive careers elsewhere. Especially if they are from the extra crappy years.

 

[JoeSakic13]

This.

Also different sport but Brady. A lot of Pats fans hated to see him go and cheered him on in TB. I know I did.

I was in a strange reverse situation.

Where I hated him, but my team is Tampa Bay.

 

[dirtydanglez]

habs fans love lehky

avs fans like kadri

 

[JT Kreider]

Love my 2012 Black and Blue shirt trio-- Dubi, Cally and Mac Truck

 

[EdJovanovski]

I will always love Kravtsov

 

[PavelBure10]

He wasn't traded but Chris Tanev still gets a lot of support from Canucks fans once he decided to sign with the rival Flames. It was Jim Benning's stupidity leaving him hanging until the last minute, once he realized he couldn't trade for OEL the year prior. Tanev should of been a mainstay as Hughes D partner and should of retired a Canuck.

 

[JoeSakic13]

I will always cheer for Leafs that went on to have productive careers elsewhere. Especially if they are from the extra crappy years.

Oh right, I actually have proof of this being common.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Not sure why it is crazy, if the player departs on good terms, fans will continue cheering on that player as he leaves the team. Obviously like a Tavares or Gaudreau situation isn't going to have Calgary fans cheering him on.

For other sports, there is a very huge "NBA player" fanbase contingent. You see it a lot with LeBron, where they aren't really fans of a team, just fans of LeBron.

 

[Bizz]

I cheered for Thornton when he was on the Leafs and Panthers. Not sure if Leafs and Panthers fans did.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Quick and Martinez even though they're on the Knights.
Carter on the Pens.
Muzzin on the Leafs.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I like to cheer on younger players from my former teams hoping they become something because under the current circumstances of the team, they wern’t going to make an impact.

They rarely do but i’m always happy to see they found their place in the league when they break through.

 

[MadLuke]

I feel it is common for beloved player that do not do a Tavares, Halak had a Montreal cult, Subban/Koivu continued to be quite beloved, Clark with Leafs fans, Bure-Linden from Canucks, Smyth from Oilers fans, Iginla from Calgary.

If they move for no fault on their own or late to win a cup if their teams gave them mediocre support to win one

 

[kevistar]

Although was contreversial for some, I'm pretty sure most of Habs fans still followed PK subban after being traded to nashville

 

[BrokenFace]

Perron has been been traded, expansion drafted, and let go in free agency from the Blues, and he's still beloved here. He just played his first game in STL since becoming a Red Wing this week and he got emotional from the video tribute.

 

[Gee Wally]

For me it’s Looch.
If he’s ever in Boston at a venue Im in, his money is no good.

 

[Lua]

I love me some Zuc and am glad he found a loving home in Minnesota

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Definitely Wild fans out there that like seeing Fiala doing well.

 

[Connor MethDavid]

As a Leafs fan, I loved seeing Kessel win his cups. I hope Sandin does great in Washington. Was glad for Schenn getting a cup, too.

Some of us are just fans of hockey. It's not hard to be on board with your teams' former players if they're decent humans.

 

[Dirty Dog]

The reverse Eichel!

 

[Theodore450]

Lehk will always be loved in Montreal