Question: Why do Wings fans hate the Canucks?

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

I separate teams from fans. I hate most fans and hate very few teams. I like the Canucks, except for 7uongo. The fans? Meh.

[eva unit zero 271]

The Canucks brought in Mark Messier as a free agent signing, paying him a ridiclous amount of money. Despite the fact he was well loved by players and fans, and had established his tenure as captain with the team for nearly a decade. The forced captaincy of Messier also led to friction in the dressing room and between coach and players; most players supported the idea of Linden as captain, and he was the team's leader, but the organization wanted Messier to be the captain and leader. Ultimately, Keenan grew angry at Linden for effectively disrupting the dressing room, largely brought on by a severe loss to the Blues which Keenan openly blamed on Linden. Linden was traded shortly after for Bertuzzi and McCabe.

The Canucks traded franchise cornerstone goaltender Kirk McLean for basically nothing due simply to the fact that, despite the fact he was playing as well as he had for the past decade, his partner (Arturs Irbe) was playing better. The Nucks got Sean Burke back in the deal, and Burke flopped; so Keenan had to go out and get a new goaltender at the deadline; Garth Snow. Irbe was on a one-year deal and the Nucks were unable to keep him, so they ended up with Snow as the starter for the next season and Corey Hirsch made a triumphant return to Vancouver's backup spot. The season after that would see Kevin Weekes, who had played mininal time the previous year, up as Snow's backup until he was traded for a new starter; Felix Potvin. The next season, of course, saw Bob Essensa take over the starting job, Vancouver shipping Potvin out and the Canucks trading away their best defenseman (Adrian Aucoin) for a backup goaltender in Dan Cloutier. McLean retired at the end of that year, having provided better goaltending both in Vancouver and outside of Vancouver than any goaltender the Canucks attempted to replace him with.

And of course, finally, there's the entitlement factor. Canucks fans, and Canadian fans in general, have this attitude of entitlement to all things hockey, to winning, and feel as if a great injustice has been done when their team loses. It's the same attitude that prompts the "Where was he in Winnipeg or Quebec?" comments about Bettman trying to save the Coyotes in Phoenix.

[GunnarStahl 39]

I have no problem with Vancouver. Kesler is the man

[KeslerFan 2]

The Canucks brought in Mark Messier as a free agent signing, paying him a ridiclous amount of money. Despite the fact he was well loved by players and fans, and had established his tenure as captain with the team for nearly a decade. The forced captaincy of Messier also led to friction in the dressing room and between coach and players; most players supported the idea of Linden as captain, and he was the team's leader, but the organization wanted Messier to be the captain and leader. Ultimately, Keenan grew angry at Linden for effectively disrupting the dressing room, largely brought on by a severe loss to the Blues which Keenan openly blamed on Linden. Linden was traded shortly after for Bertuzzi and McCabe.

The Canucks traded franchise cornerstone goaltender Kirk McLean for basically nothing due simply to the fact that, despite the fact he was playing as well as he had for the past decade, his partner (Arturs Irbe) was playing better. The Nucks got Sean Burke back in the deal, and Burke flopped; so Keenan had to go out and get a new goaltender at the deadline; Garth Snow. Irbe was on a one-year deal and the Nucks were unable to keep him, so they ended up with Snow as the starter for the next season and Corey Hirsch made a triumphant return to Vancouver's backup spot. The season after that would see Kevin Weekes, who had played mininal time the previous year, up as Snow's backup until he was traded for a new starter; Felix Potvin. The next season, of course, saw Bob Essensa take over the starting job, Vancouver shipping Potvin out and the Canucks trading away their best defenseman (Adrian Aucoin) for a backup goaltender in Dan Cloutier. McLean retired at the end of that year, having provided better goaltending both in Vancouver and outside of Vancouver than any goaltender the Canucks attempted to replace him with.

And of course, finally, there's the entitlement factor. Canucks fans, and Canadian fans in general, have this attitude of entitlement to all things hockey, to winning, and feel as if a great injustice has been done when their team loses. It's the same attitude that prompts the "Where was he in Winnipeg or Quebec?" comments about Bettman trying to save the Coyotes in Phoenix.

I'm not sure how the first 2 paragraphs about what poor management decisions (hindsight, even) has to do with Red Wings fans hating the Canucks? Are the Canucks the only team to have transactions occur that didn't work out in their favor?

As for your last paragraph.. I think your stereotyping says more about you than it does about Canadian fans. :-/ Honestly, most true Canuck fans are depressed and pessimistic, and require a therapist to overcome the heartache we've watched as we've lived and (by a large majority) died with the team over the years. All we're looking for is that one ray of light to make the past 40 years of suffering worthwhile. We don't know the feeling of success and victory. And, like any Canadian team, there is nothing we want more in this world. It is pretty painful to watch expansion teams win whose city barely care about hockey.

Edited April 27, 2011 by KeslerFan

[eva unit zero 271]

If the Wings don't win, I want Vancouver to because that city deserves a cup.

They deserve nothing.

That said, Cyclone Taylor led Vancouver to a Stanley Cup win in 1915.

Let's bring up the list of remaining teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs in cities that have not won it:

Nashville

San Jose

Washington

That's three. If you want to count Vancouver because it was a pre-NHL Cup win, fine, make it four. But in what way does Vancouver deserve the Cup more? Because it's a Canadian city? San Jose has a huge fan base, Nashville and Washington have pretty decent followings. Vancouver no more deserves the cup than those cities do.

[Trapt1307 81]

They deserve nothing.

That said, Cyclone Taylor led Vancouver to a Stanley Cup win in 1915.

Let's bring up the list of remaining teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs in cities that have not won it:

Nashville

San Jose

Washington

That's three. If you want to count Vancouver because it was a pre-NHL Cup win, fine, make it four. But in what way does Vancouver deserve the Cup more? Because it's a Canadian city? San Jose has a huge fan base, Nashville and Washington have pretty decent followings. Vancouver no more deserves the cup than those cities do.

Because a hell of a lot more people in Vancouver care about the Canucks than any of those cities care about their hockey team. Nashville and Washington would have parking lot parades. It would be like the Lions winning a Superbowl here. Sure a lot of people like the Wings, but the Lions are way more popular.

Edited April 27, 2011 by Trapt1307

[cupforwings 138]

I don't, and am not sure about the general nature of your observation.

truth being said, it's often difficult to find sympathy towards Canadian teams once their fanbases start proclaiming "this is the year"

and keep yapping about whatever calls refs missed. Leafs fans used to be particularly brutal with this (every season between 1998-2005

they proclaimed Maple Laughs cup winners around mid-February), and now that they suck it's Nucks fans who do most of such stuff.

I'm far from imputing this is any majority of fans, because most Nucks fans are nice and passionate ppl, but it's difficult to escape this hype.

I can easily imagine other fans having similar feelings towards Wings hype in 2002 for example.

I think this nails it on the head... I found myself rooting for Chicago yesterday because of this.

[ChitownWingsfan 54]

I honestly don't hate the Canucks or their fans. They are a good team and I'd love to beat them, thats about it. Certainly doesn't make the list of teams that make my blood boil (Blackhawks, Pens, Ducks)

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Not really sure where this is coming from, if it is just from a single thread on here or another forum or what not.

Every sports base has their a'holes, take it for what it's worth.

I have zero issues with the Canucks.

[eva unit zero 271]

I'm not sure how the first 2 paragraphs about what poor management decisions (hindsight, even) has to do with Red Wings fans hating the Canucks? Are the Canucks the only team to have transactions occur that didn't work out in their favor?

As for your last paragraph.. I think your stereotyping says more about you than it does about Canadian fans. :-/ Honestly, most true Canuck fans are depressed and pessimistic, and require a therapist to overcome the heartache we've watched as we've lived and (by a large majority) died with the team over the years. All we're looking for is that one ray of light to make the past 40 years of suffering worthwhile. We don't know the feeling of success and victory. And, like any Canadian team, there is nothing we want more in this world. It is pretty painful to watch expansion teams win whose city barely care about hockey.

You say the Canucks want to model themselves after the Wings. The Wings have had so much success over the years because the organization has treated their players right; not simply discarded them if they weren't perfect or if they didn't fit the ideal. And don't give me that "one ray of light" bulls***. The Wings won the Cup in 1997 after a 42 year drought. You're thinking "But they just went to the finals right before that!" Yeah, they did. For the first time in 29 years. And up until the few years before the Cup wins, the Wings were perenially the league's doormat. Vancouver has at least been a competitive club with playoff chances. Did Wings fans in the mid 1990s act like they deserved a Cup? Like we were owed one? No. How about Chicago fans? They had some great teams in the early 90s; with a little luck they could have had back-to-backs in 1992 and 1993. But you're busy complaining about the fact that true Canuck fans need therapy for their depression because the team didn't win the Cup last year, or the year before that... and maybe they need to all be put on suicide watch for the duration of the playoffs! Gimme a break.

[hooon 1,089]

Great.... another fan base that thinks they have a rivalry with us.

[aMonster 96]

The Wings have no more and no fewer Canuck hating fans than any other organization. That said, there are massive numbers of Canuck haters in the NHL world of fans, why I've never understood but why sweat that? The funniest aspect of those who complain on this forum about Canuck fans is that they are themselves what they claim to hate most, excessively obnoxious. On other hand, if you ignore those who routinely resort to the most childish rhetoric this fan forum does have some of the best informed fans in the league... at least I think so.

Edited April 27, 2011 by aMonster

[KeslerFan 2]

Great.... another fan base that thinks they have a rivalry with us.

If you read my post, you will see I don't believe the Canucks have a rivalry with the Wings (in fact, I pointed out that we don't really have much of a playoff history with one another, nor did either team do anything significant to warrant anger such as dirty plays, etc).

But you're busy complaining about the fact that true Canuck fans need therapy for their depression because the team didn't win the Cup last year, or the year before that... and maybe they need to all be put on suicide watch for the duration of the playoffs! Gimme a break.

Busy complaining? Wow. I'm not interested in allowing you to twist my words anymore to let you take out your anger on me, but I will categorize your hate for the Canucks to be based on a couple poor management decisions on hockey transactions that you take personally. I asked a question and will not judge your answer.

Cheers

Edited April 27, 2011 by KeslerFan

[sleepwalker 512]

Great.... another fan base that thinks they have a rivalry with us.

Its funny cause its true!

[aMonster 96]

the orca whalee is stupid, the parent company just puts there logo on the jerseys? stupid. you dont see illitch putting the pizza pizza guy on the wings jerseys.

case in point, those who cant spell whale and still think a hockey sweater is called a jersey

[nate94gt 134]

i have nothing against the canucks or their fans.

[ifonlyicouldskate 11]

What is a Canuck acutually? Is it slang for canadian? I have never understood their name.

I don't hate them. I hate the Blackhawks and Penguins. But I'm not gonna lie, a small part of me wanted chicago to win, so that there would be one less west coast team we would have to go through. Mainly for home ice and earlier start to road games. I know, I know, selfish :beerbuddy:

[mule 31]

I dislike the canucks because I live in Canada and had to put up with many of their fans acting like they had already won the cup in march. In addition, the Canadian media bias towards them (because they are the only good canadian team in the playoffs) is unbelievable. Up until the blackhawks took it to 7 games the many canuck fans I know were acting like their team was the greatest thing since sliced bread. As a fan of another team, it can be very irritating when a team that hasn't accomplished a thing yet has fans that think their team is unbeatable.

As for the team, I like a lot of their players and think they are a good team. It will be a good western conference finals when the canucks play the wings!

[KeslerFan 2]

I dislike the canucks because I live in Canada and had to put up with many of their fans acting like they had already won the cup in march. In addition, the Canadian media bias towards them (because they are the only good canadian team in the playoffs) is unbelievable. Up until the blackhawks took it to 7 games the many canuck fans I know were acting like their team was the greatest thing since sliced bread. As a fan of another team, it can be very irritating when a team that hasn't accomplished a thing yet has fans that think their team is unbeatable.

As for the team, I like a lot of their players and think they are a good team. It will be a good western conference finals when the canucks play the wings!

I think this is just imagined.. all season long, all you heard on the sports radio shows/newspapers in Vancouver is that none of this matters because the playoffs are where you really prove yourself. We've had enough regular season success that we all know it means almost squat (tho home ice advantage in game 7 last night definitely helped).

There are definitely homers on the local sports television networks (John Garrett being probably the biggest one) but when you start looking at CBC (Canada's national television network), you'll realize that they only cheer for the Canucks if there are no Eastern teams to root for. I have no problem with local networks being biased towards the city they cover, nor do I have a problem with National Canadian television to have a biased towards the Canadian team. Why shouldn't they? They're catering to the markets that view their channel.

I hate it as much as you when people pre-plan the parade route (fans like that in every city, imho)

[Shaman 713]

Eh, I find some of their more vocal and cocky fans obnoxious but other than I only hate their team with the same healthy respect that I have for all other teams.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I'm like Dirty Harry. I play no favorites.

I hate every team and their fanbase. Has nothing to do with Vancouver particularly.

Edited April 28, 2011 by GMRwings1983

[egroen 384]

Most hated Canadian franchises to least hated:

1) Toronto

2) Montreal

3) Vancouver

4) Ottawa

Things in the hockey world can get pretty annoying when the Canucks and Senators are looking good, but Lord help us when the Canadiens or Maple Leafs have even a remote chance. Thankfully the world wide web did not exist back when they last won a Cup.

Edited April 28, 2011 by egroen

[Buppy 1,720]

Never used to hate Vancouver until they allowed the Hawks to salvage some little bit of respect. Despite myself, I wanted Chicago to win just to punish the Canucks. I was actually happy when Chicago scored that late goal. Then you go and screw up both a historic event and avoid your just desserts by winning. Then you had the gall to act like winning (finally) was some epic achievement. And now you get the Thursday game when we've already been waiting a week for some Wings hockey.

You suck. Go Preds!

[Guest Heaten]

It was a huge turn off when Canucks fan point to their President Trophy and stat sheet and tell everyone they have the best chance out of anyone else to win Lord Stanley. Then the 3-0 Canucks fans were damn near planning the parade... then when they got blown out a couple of times, the "Flu Theory" arose. Then when they dropped game 6, the 'refs hate Canada', and 'Hawks get to do what they want'. Now that they beat Chicago, the fans are telling us why they are going to roll Nashville...

Then when ever someone brings up Loungo stats, they say that series is over and point to his regular season stats. hell, even some guys on HF are even trying to pimp Loungo's winning game stats, while excluding his losing game stats.

In short, the Canucks fan base is horrible and I don't want them to ever win a cup. I would much rather Canucks continue to be perinial failures in teh post season, and the owner sells the franchise to some Casino owner in Las Vegas Nevada. That would please me.

[eva unit zero 271]

Busy complaining? Wow. I'm not interested in allowing you to twist my words anymore to let you take out your anger on me, but I will categorize your hate for the Canucks to be based on a couple poor management decisions on hockey transactions that you take personally. I asked a question and will not judge your answer.

"I'm going to clip part of your post and quote it completely out of context to try and make you look bitter and jaded while both myself and the Canucks are pure and unsoiled."