The general structure of the NHL allows for some balance between all teams across the league. But, a few have issues pleasing their fans.
If you had to compile a list featuring the worst teams to be a fan of, there’s a few factors that are involved. It’s not just struggling to go far in the playoffs or not even making the playoffs in the first place. This type or ranking also involves things like repeatedly coming up short in clutch time, notoriously poor trades, and issues with the franchise itself. The Carolina Hurricanes have some issues with that.
For example, numerous hockey fans in cities without an NHL team buy into the idea that teams like the Canes, Arizona Coyotes, and Florida Panthers need to be moved to richer hockey hotbeds. There’s a long list of locations that do not have the privilege of playing host to an NHL franchise, like Raleigh does. Here’s some of the better locations in that group:
- Quebec City, Quebec
- Seattle, Washington
- Portland, Oregon
- Houston, Texas
- Hamilton, Ontario
- Toronto, Ontario (Addition to two teams)
- Kansas City, MO
- Milwaukee, WI
- Salt Lake City, UT
Of the teams favored for expansion, Salt Lake City and Milwaukee aren’t likely. But they’re both in solid sports cities that already support at least one successful professional team, despite the population issue, or lack thereof.
However, we could highlight the benefits and drawbacks of NHL expansion all day. The fact that Canes fans even have to worry about that signifies a huge struggle for the franchise and its supporters. Since 2009, the good times are a few, and the attendance at PNC Arena took a nose dive.
Overall, the Canes still have a Stanley Cup, in just a two decade long franchise history. And, they have a Stanley Cup Finals appearance and Eastern Conference Finals appearance, on separate occaision. In a growing city like Raleigh, commanding by population and business growth, the potential is there for this to be a fantastic organization to support once again.
Here’s the 10 NHL fan bases, of active teams, that would be more stressful to cheer for than the Carolina Hurricanes.