We see the same thing in Toronto, with a key difference. The one thing that city has (like it or not) is an absolutely RUTHLESS media to keep the team in check. Unfortunately that same pressure screws with the players.
In Edmonton we have the complete opposite, the media is completely in the pockets of the franchise. Even the 'contrarians' like Strudwick dont really go after the root problems when we all know what the issue is.
As a result, instead of that combination of anger and hope that results from firing management in Toronto, we have that apathy that things won't get better because either the city sucks or nobody wants to play here, etc. on top of that, management here is 'permanent' (it's not, it never is), and as fans we get angry every December, put up billboards, piss off the OBC, and then we're back to apathy in February. Let's not forget that there was momentum last year. Lowe 'requesting' that sabbatical may or may not be true, but regardless it was evidence of pushback. After that, instead of keeing it going, it was back to the HF echo chamber, causing lowe, macT, and Eakins to breathe, and start the abortion over again.
What would Montreal do? Put up a billboard for a couple months? Hell no. Their OBC probably HATED life four years ago, because there was so much discontent towards them. Remember Wilson and Burke in Toronto? Torts and Gillis in Vancouver? They were all SKEWERED by the media, which is effective, for what it's worth.
The billboards are great, but they're not enough. It looks like a minority of angry fans. Us fans need to be more creative. More calling into shows on ched, protests, ads, etc to make those morons really uncomfortable about what they're doing (legally of course).
