Quoting: Stan_Bowman
Just admit it, the only reason the penguins have a franchise is because of Lemieux saving the team... two times.
Quoting: PenGoater99
Imagine thinking the Blackhawks had fans prior to 2010
Okay, I just gotta say, the ridiculousness of these statements are fantastic! Not that they don't have some basis of fact of course, but lets break this down.
Hawks not having fans before 2010?! Try 2008, that's a little closer. Having said that, from 1998-2008, yup, we didn't have **** going for us and the fans turned on the disgrace of an owner as opposed to the team itself. I was able to go to nearly 50 games in those 10 years. I still powered through for my hawks. Before 1998, though, no offense Pens fan, but you really don't know anything. Chicago Stadium, night in and night out, the greatest roar in NHL history.
As for Stan's statement, lets put even more emphasis on this. Pens join the league in 1967. They proceed to suck for 17 straight years. I believe they made the playoffs 2-4 times, but did nothing of note. They were on the verge of relocation come 1984. Then, out of nowhere, Le Magnifique (the luckiest 1st overall pick ever) arrives in Pittsburgh to save the franchise. Oh and don't forget, the fans hated this team! Fast forward to 1997. Pens have two cups, Super Mario is a legend that just retired (the first time), and had a host of legends that featured Jagr, Francis, Barrasso, and others. However, **** ownership and free spending ways cause the money to dry up and players to go unpaid. Players are traded, the team tanks, and low and behold, the fans hate this team again and they are on the verge of relocating AGAIN! Then, Super Mario saves the day and buys the team with a consortium behind him. They have a brief resurgence after Mario returns and then promptly fall off a cliff AGAIN! Then, for the second time in their history, the team is saved by the 2nd luckiest 1st overall ever. Sid the kid arrives on the scene, but not without help. Remember, this team sucks after all. They get Fleury, Malkin, Crosby, and Staal in consecutive drafts to form their 2009 Cup backbone. Since then, the fans have luckily remained, but don't suck again, cuz then your probably gone again.
Point I'm trying to make is this: yes, Hawks fans were absent for ten years due to a **** team, **** management, and an owner who hated his own fans. However, for anyone to suggest that the Hawks, an original six franchise, didn't have fans before 2010, that's the sign of complete ignorance. Even if it was a joke, don't think someone wouldn't correct you.
On the flip side, the Penguins, factually and historically, are the LUCKIEST franchise in NHL history. They were up for relocation twice, were gifted the two greatest number one overall picks ever (McDavid will soon join said argument), and don't even try to plead ignorance and say your fans endured through all that, cuz I know they didn't. If nothing else, congrats on being **** at the perfect times! That's a freakin art form and a sign of clairvoyance my friend!!!!