MVN's Best and Worst Fans of the NHL: Panthers "growing irrelevant"

by Donny Rivette on Aug 27, 2009 8:26 PM EDT

Lots of (unsurprising) controversy erupting around MVN's yearly ranking of NHL fanbases compiled by Minnesota Wild blogger Derek Felska.

Constructed through a brand of Klingon mathematics I only vaguely grasp; based upon a three-year attendance average "scoring system", the number of team-related blogs found during a Google search (we ain't Toronto), and message board responses, these strict criteria unlock the door for a room marked "Reasons why you suck".

Foolproof, obviously. Actually, I enjoyed the commentary, if not necessarily agreeing with a healthy portion of it. In Florida's case, a near-decade without postseason action has undeniably chipped away at the market, but really...there's a buzz around the organization right now that hasn't been present since the turn of the century.

Anyway, check out the article, give it an honest once-over, and don't set the bar for yourself as a Panthers fan too high. Comments - as always - are mostly welcomed.

A big thanks to Puck Daddy.

Poll

Agree with the ranking?

Yes...it's not unrealistic given the history of the club

14 votes

No...FLA's fanbase is steadily growing and requires a different set of parameters

7 votes

21 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

3rd place in the division (and only 5 spots out of second!) is pretty awesome. Maybe with two years of steady attendance (or a move to Canada) you can be top ten as well!

A man must have a code.

by Rob Parker on Aug 28, 2009 1:54 AM EDT reply actions

I'd be more impresssed ...

I’d be more impressed with the article and its rankings if they had not ranked the Tampa Bay Lightning in 29th and 12th places. I’m now wondering which team was accidentally dropped. ;-)

by OldDave on Aug 28, 2009 8:02 AM EDT reply actions

... oops (egg on face edition)

I was comparing 2009 to 2008. Tampa fell from 12th to 29th in one year? That’s gotta hurt.

by OldDave on Aug 28, 2009 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Welll……we could pack the BAC and the Cats could win the Cup and someone (in fact many someones, methinks) would still pick on us because this is Florida. Am I too cynical? I’m happy for the guys when they win, but it doesn’t affect my life or paycheck (just makes for a more buioyant atmosphere with fewer disgruntled fans). A winning or losing team has no effect on my decision to attend. However I’m finding that playing hockey>sitting at the BAC watching .

by sydarm on Aug 28, 2009 8:49 PM EDT reply actions