Quote:
Originally Posted by lrt's friend
The problem is that the team built a fan base from 1997 to 2007 when the team was consistently good. Since then, even though we have been in the playoffs with some exciting series, there just seems to be a lack of consistency that we are building to something better.
The challenge of the market with the family traditions of Habs and Leaf fans would be reduced if the team could field a team with real expectations as a contender. Despite last year's surprise, this team has not been a contender since 2007. We need to build real excitement and real expectation which would slowly get the Habs and Leaf local fan bases to start to dwindle or dwindle more quickly. I fear a Leaf run will actually weaken the Sens fan base.
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The Sens had a chance to try to capture some of the latent Leaf fan base in the area during the 2004-2010 period when the Leafs were putting out some dreadful teams and the Sens were very competitive. In my observation, the team and the Ottawa fan base did nothing to try to sway any disgruntled Leaf fans over. In my observation, (disclosure - I am a Leaf fan now living in the Ottawa area) the overwhelming quality of a Sens fan is an undying (and sometimes irrational) hatred of the Leafs. It even seems that hatred of the Leafs supersedes their affection for the Senators. It's no surprise that they have been largely unsuccessful in converting long-time Leaf fans into Senators fans.
This is how I perceive their message:
"Hey Leaf fan - your team really sucks, I mean they are REALLY bad. You should cheer for the Senators since your team sucks so much"
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