A Casual Fan's Pyramid of NHL Fandom
After two international games to start the season, the NHL season kicks off in full this week.
I can best be described as a pretty casual hockey fan and even that is being generous. I’ve always followed the sport via box scores and social media clips but in recent years I’ve found myself following it more closely. My cousin is a lifelong hockey fan, my brother in law is a lifelong hockey fan, and I, wanting more to connect with them about, started keeping better track of teams, players, and news throughout the league.
I was locked in last Friday when the 2024-2025 season officially started in Prague with a few games between the New Jersey Devils and the Buffalo Sabres and now this week marks the start of the season for the rest of the league beginning with three games on ESPN Tuesday.
In honor of the new season and in the hopes of more hockey fans finding this and hopefully helping me continue to learn more about the sport, here is my pyramid of hockey fandom:
Tier 1 - My Favorites
First and foremost, I’m an LA Kings fan. I live in Southern California, my cousin’s favorite team was always the Kings and they are my brother in law’s favorite as well. Players like Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, and Adrian Kempe are endlessly fun to watch and not to mention the best mascot in sports: Bailey the Lion. NHL mascots are a different breed (I’ll get to them more later) but in my (heavily biased) opinion he is the best there is.
Next I want to focus on a few players I like while maybe not necessarily liking the teams they play on. There’s something about Auston Matthews that I’ve really liked watching since paying more attention to the league as a whole and not just Kings games and box scores. I don’t know if it’s his off the ice style or his ability to seemingly score endless goals but there’s something about his game that is appointment viewing. I know this certainly isn’t the most original take but that doesn’t matter, if the Maple Leafs are on TV, I’m watching to see what AM34 is going to do. Especially now that he’s about to start his first season as the team’s Captain.
Similarly, phenom Connor Bedard is heading into his second season after setting the hockey world on fire last season. Again, probably not super original to say “I can’t wait to see what he does in his second year” but I gotta be honest: I don’t care. The Blackhawks should be better this season (eh) but all I care about is seeing what kind of wizardry Bedard has in store for an encore.
Tiers 2 & 3 - Teams & Players I Enjoy Watching
The Hughes Brothers - Between Jack & Luke on the New Jersey Devils and Quinn Hughes on the Canucks, I love watching these guys play. 3 brothers with absolutely completely different styles on the ice, it’s so much fun specifically watching Jack & Luke together on the ice.
Columbus Blue Jackets & Cleveland Monsters - After my cousin moved to Cleveland with his wife and kids, he slowly acclimated to their sports scene, opting to closely follow the AHL Cleveland Monsters and also become a bigger fan of the Blue Jackets. As such I started watching both more closely so I could continue conversations and learn more about the teams. I can’t imagine how heavy watching the Blue Jackets will be after the tragic passing of Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau but I will be locked in to every game, ready to talk to my cousin as soon as they’re over.
Matt Rempe - Last season Rempe broke onto the scene as a 255lbs, 6’8” menace on ice skates for the Rangers who’s soul purpose was to absolutely dummy anyone foolish enough to challenge him to drop the gloves. All reports ahead of the start of the season have been that the Rangers are looking to utilize Rempe’s size and skill in a more all-around way but it’s impossible to think that’s gonna happen. I’m here to watch him drop any and all challengers.
Seattle Kraken - Since they first started playing 2021, I’ve really enjoyed watching the development of the Kraken, specifically Matty Beniers, the team’s first ever draft pick. And that’s not even mentioning Buoy, their manic, crazy looking mascot.
David Pastrňák - I’m nowhere near a Bruins fan but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love watching Pasta play and see his weird, flashy style and personality on display off the ice as well.
The Winter Classic Game - It doesn’t matter who’s involved, it doesn’t matter when it’s scheduled. If the Winter Classic is on, I will watch it no matter what. There’s something about the joyous vibe and massive scope of an outdoor game in a stadium. This year’s will be in Wrigley Field and features the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues. I already can’t wait to see the throwback jerseys the teams use.
Tier 4 - Media Personalities & Creators
Nasher - I feel like I don’t even remember how I found Nasher’s YouTube channel or videos, he was just sitting on my home page one day with a product test that caught my eye. I can’t say I follow everything he does but when I do watch videos or streams I find myself enjoying it just about every time. I appreciate his passion for the game and his willingness to cater to all types of fans.
Jackie Redmond - I only knew Redmond from her role in WWE as a backstage interviewer and personality but as I watched more and more hockey broadcasts, I realized that she was also a great hockey personality and interviewer. From hits on TNT to her own Jackie Redmond Show, her knowledge and love for the game always shine through.
Corwin McCallum - I only found his videos after he announced he was leaving BarDown but I’ve really enjoyed the few videos he’s posted and his work with Bauer so far.
NHL on TNT - TNT has the market cornered on great studio shows for the NHL and NBA. NHL on TNT is probably the #1 hockey media I watch every week. Having Wayne Gretzky and Henrik Lundqvist on the panel is incredible, like if Michael Jordan decided he wanted to sit at the desk with EJ, Chuck, and the gang. The wisdom and insights from two of the greatest hockey players ever is always so interesting to me and I appreciate their willingness to mix it up with a maniac like Biz.
Spittin’ Chiclets - I don’t listen to every episode or even all of an episode when I do but when this podcast is cooking it’s must-listen. Biz and Ryan Whitney are a great balance for one another and their ability to land high-profile guests and make them comfortable over long-form interviews is usually pretty entertaining.
Mascots - I don’t know where to put them but I’d be insane to not mention how much I love the NHL mascots. Mascots in general have a pretty high hit rate for me but I feel like the NHL just pound for pound has more entertaining mascots. Gritty, the New Jersey Devil, Tommy Hawk, Carlton Bear, & so many more always produce incredible content whether it’s with the NHL, in-game, or purely on social media. Special shoutout of course to the GOAT: Bailey the Lion.
Tier 5 - Storylines I’m Interested in This Season
Goalie Drama - Bruins’ goalie Jeremy Swayman had a rather tense summer of negotiating with the team that resulted in him signing an 8-year/$66 million contract with the team. How he performs now as the fourth highest paid goalie in the league and whether or not there are lingering effects from all the off-season drama are two things I’m very interested in. It doesn’t stop there though, a day after the Swayman drama ended, even more goalie drama erupted when the Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin turned down an 8-year/$88 million contract that would’ve made him the highest paid goalie ever. It’s an incredible bet on himself and unexpected drama for the fanbase.
Ovi Chases Gretzky - Alex Ovechkin is heading into his 20th season and sits just 42 goals away from passing Wayne Gretzky as the all-time NHL goals leader. He last scored 42 in the 2022-2023 season so it’s certainly doable but after a few less prolific seasons it’s going to be must-watch every time he steps onto the ice.
Connor McDavid & the Oilers - Fresh off a disappointing trip to the NHL Finals and after a rather candid experience on Amazon Prime’s Faceoff series, the pressure continues to mount for McDavid and the Oilers to finally break through and win that elusive Stanley Cup. Add to all of that that McDavid will become eligible for a new contract next season so if things end in disappointment again, the conversations around his contract and his tenure with the Oilers is only going to get louder and louder.
Utah Hockey - I don’t like that the Coyotes were essentially ripped away from Arizona fans so unceremoniously. Until they get a team again it will always be in the back of my mind but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious to see what Utah Hockey looks like from the fan reaction to the in-arena presentation. And in the most important news, the Utah Jazz mascot will serve as Utah Hockey’s interim mascot this season as they finalize a new name and branding.
Let me know what you’re interested in watching this season and what kind of media you like to watch related to the NHL.