Toronto Maple Leafs: 68th On FanSided’s 2017 250 Fandoms
By Josh Tessler
FanSided has named the Toronto Maple Leafs the 68th best fan base out of 250 fandoms and second in the National Hockey League.
For those who aren’t familiar with FanSided’s 250 fandoms, it’s comprised of celebrities, sports teams and brands. It is set up like a bracket with the ultimate goal of determining who has the biggest and best fanbase.
The Leafs were ranked between the television show, Empire and the Barclay’s Premier League team, Arsenal.
Unfortunately the Leafs missed out on the number one seed in the NHL, but it makes a ton of sense as the Pittsburgh Penguins brought home that honor. While I wouldn’t agree that the Penguins have better fans than the Leafs, they do have three recent Stanley Cups to celebrate.
Congratulations to our friends at Pens Labyrinth for their much deserved victory as their Penguins have hoisted up the Stanley Cup three times since 2008.
However Leaf Nation don’t fret. This is a huge honor.
In 2016, FanSided ranked us 184 out of 250 and we were the sixth best fan base in the NHL. So in the past season, we’ve climbed up the ranks at a strong pace. Who knows. Maybe in 2018 we’ll be strong enough to beat out Pittsburgh for the top seed.
Why Are The Leafs Second In The NHL?
Mike Dyce, the Senior Director of Editorial Operations at FanSided explained in his post that even though the Leafs haven’t brought the Stanley Cup back to Toronto since 1967 that the fan base is stronger than ever.
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Toronto Maple Leafs fans still show up to games at the Air Canada Centre and still tune into Leaf games religiously.
The Leafs’ management has done a solid job over the years of bringing elite players to the city of Toronto. Players like Auston Matthews and Mats Sundin have kept fans in the seats through difficult stretches.
The Leafs beat out the Predators, the Blackhawks, the Canadiens, the Oilers, the Rangers and the Red Wings for second.
Jumping From Sixth Place To Second
You might ask how did the Leafs jump up from being the sixth to second?
I’ll be blunt.
The current group of youngsters that the Leafs have has really sparked a fire under all Leaf fans. William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly and Matthews give the Leafs a solid shot to become the league’s next dynasty.
Hopefully, the Toronto Maple Leafs will bring the cup back to Toronto and be named the best fan base in the NHL next year.