Speculation: Has the fan passion and following for the Canadiens hit a new peak of intensity?
- Thread starter TimStrickland
- Start date
I would say the peak was somewhere around the 07-08 season and 08-09 season. It didn't feel the same after that 2009 cleanup. Uncle Bob let go too many players that we were familiar and learned to love for many years. It was just weird cheering for a team that had so many new faces at the same time.
The peak in energy around the city imo was more after the lockout leading to the cap era starting in 05-06 leading up to our top place finish in 07-08.
People had missed hockey that year, when it came back, people couldn't get enough of it. More and more time slots were given to shows covering the Habs. Bell Center was always sold out and filled to the rim.
I noticed a lot more girls were becoming fan, maybe it coincided with women hockey gaining in popularity.
It also became a lot more of a social thing. Gathering with friends to watch the games. I think the year following the lockout I watched every single game with friends. Now I don't even do that once a week.
But since the lockout, as bad as Gainey was, he was never Houle bad. Our team made the POs all but one year under Gainey. Prior to that we missed it 4 out of 5 years.
I'm sure that played a part.
People had missed hockey that year, when it came back, people couldn't get enough of it. More and more time slots were given to shows covering the Habs. Bell Center was always sold out and filled to the rim.
I noticed a lot more girls were becoming fan, maybe it coincided with women hockey gaining in popularity.
It also became a lot more of a social thing. Gathering with friends to watch the games. I think the year following the lockout I watched every single game with friends. Now I don't even do that once a week.
But since the lockout, as bad as Gainey was, he was never Houle bad. Our team made the POs all but one year under Gainey. Prior to that we missed it 4 out of 5 years.
I'm sure that played a part.
The peak you seem to be referring to may apply to younger fans who haven't witnessed the glory days. In the old days there were riots when the Habs won a Cup. Of course, the population has grown but the intensity level wouldn't be greater.
MasterDecoy
Who took my beer?
hard not to love this team. so many players that are easy to love: price, patches, gallagher, subban, weise, old man markov, plekanec, to a lesser degree galchenyuk.
like i said, hate the coach, but that's a team that's easy to get attached to
like i said, hate the coach, but that's a team that's easy to get attached to
Ohashi_Jouzu*
Registered User
This. Plus, it's probably significant that the amount and breadth of we're exposed to these days, with advances in connectivity and information proliferation, affects our perception of how big of a deal something is "overall". More and more people becoming more and more exposed to more more and more people/opinions in more and more places... but not necessarily fueling the "intensity" that surrounds the team locally, where the benchmark for Habs passion is set. It's just becoming easier and easier for people to get their opinions, no matter how extreme or out there, in front of other people.
Redux91
I do Three bullets.
I have to agree with the OP
i look around and i cannot beleive how many people are in love with the team atm the last couple years
some of my best friends who couldnt give a **** about hockey are all invested now, its crazy for me lol
i look around and i cannot beleive how many people are in love with the team atm the last couple years
some of my best friends who couldnt give a **** about hockey are all invested now, its crazy for me lol
waffledave
waffledave, from hf
It was higher back in the Koivu/Kovalev days for sure.
Everyone was a Habs fan then, EVERYONE.
They were all like "yo, bro, bro Kovalev, bro"
Everyone was a Habs fan then, EVERYONE.
They were all like "yo, bro, bro Kovalev, bro"
In the words of Buzz Lightyear...to infinity and beyond... . Habs fans have hit infinity and beyond passion for the Habs previously , number of times, so all you can do is tie.
Adriatic
Registered User
- Feb 27, 2004
- 6,525
- 4,097
I think one key difference between this team and the previous teams going back even further is the bright future ahead. Most of the core players on the team are home grown and young. Even though we just had a good season (50 wins) I think most fans know this team is just scratching the surface, will only get better in the years ahead and be a contender for years. Most of the impact players are all in their mid 20's with a couple of more kids on the way that will be key pieces. I can't remember the last time we had so many young good players on the team that fans are in love with, maybe since late mid 80's with Richer, Roy, Lemieux, Corson, Naslund, Chelios..
Last edited:
To be honest, it doesn't feel as intense as in some years past.
Weren't we having trouble selling out the Bell Center at the beginning of the year? Also, I remember the building being louder...
That could change on a dime though, 1st round is usually the most exciting hockey!
Weren't we having trouble selling out the Bell Center at the beginning of the year? Also, I remember the building being louder...
That could change on a dime though, 1st round is usually the most exciting hockey!
I find the passion has actually dwindled over the past couple of seasons. The intensity of the fans hasn't really been there like in the past. The hype hasn't been the same since Boivin left. He was really good at creating an atmosphere around the club.
Bryson
#EugeneMolson
- Jun 25, 2008
- 7,113
- 4,321
I thought I was the only one.
Despite their record I don't feel the excitement. I guess 82 games of boring hockey will do that to you. 2010 was something special and even last year seemed to have more buzz ! Don't see as many cars with canadiens flags on their windows either. I'm guessing that will probably change if the habs can manage to make it deeper in the playoffs.
Also it was fun going to cage au sport when the habs would score five goals and get free chicken wings. There's just something boring about winning 1-0. 2-1.
While it is soooo nice now to go into a season feeling some confidence about not only making the play-offs , but being more concerned about getting home ice, cannot say I am hyped up. Maybe because now that we are a almost sure fire play-off team, I need to feel we have a very real chance at a Cup and I do not see it with the style of play we use.
MXD
Original #4
- Oct 27, 2005
- 50,810
- 16,548
Well, first of all, the 2010 group wasn't exactly ... exciting. For all the flak thrown at Therrien for playing boring hockey, well, that 2010 group was coached by Jacques Martin.
It might also be a thing of expectations. It was an achievement to reach the playoffs in 2010. Not that the team was bad.... but it was a bubble team, which exceeded expectations. Reaching the SCF, with the current team, would be about the equivalent of reaching the 2nd round with the 2010 team.
Meanwhile, with this team, it's a solid disappointment if we do not reach the 2nd round, and a mild one if we do not reach the 3rd.
And the above doesn't address the fact that there was 82 games before this one, and that this is A LOT of games, at least 12 too much as far as I'm concerned. Every game becomes somewhat important with current parity. But it's only "potential" importance. Meanwhile, every playoff game is significant.
Haddock
Registered User
WhiskeySeven*
Expect the expected
- Jun 17, 2007
- 25,154
- 770
That said, I don't think any of our players are Koivu/Kovalev level just yet. Maybe surpassed them in talent or effectiveness but not in aura.
MXD
Original #4
- Oct 27, 2005
- 50,810
- 16,548
That said, I don't think any of our players are Koivu/Kovalev level just yet. Maybe surpassed them in talent or effectiveness but not in aura.
Totally agree as far as forwards are concerned. Price and Subban otherwise exceeded Koivu/Kovalev.
Lafleurs Guy
Guuuuuuuy!
- Jul 20, 2007
- 75,183
- 45,007
It's just very boring uninspired hockey and most of the time we're outplayed. It's hard to get passionate when you're outshot all the time and relying on your goalie to win.
We'll flip the switch in the playoffs though. PK ain't gonna sit back. We're going to be better and the passion will be there.
