FanSided 250: Breaking down how the NHL fared in this year’s list

How does the NHL fare in this year’s FanSided 250?

It is that time of year again as the team at FanSided present their annual FanSided 250, the ultimate ranking of fandoms covering sports, entertainment, gaming and celebrities, and the NHL is heavily represented this year.

This is a mammoth undertaking every single year and the FanSided 250 team have done an outstanding job this year, a year in which our fandoms have probably taken on even more importance due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

But, just how well do the NHL teams do in this year’s FanSided 250?

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Let’s find out shall we.

Right off the bat, 20 of the NHL’s 32 franchises feature in the list and it is perhaps surprising that the Seattle Kraken didn’t crack the list given that 2020 was the year they finally revealed their identity to the world, although they have plenty of time to make the FanSided 250 in the future and it will probably happen during their inaugural year in 2021-22.

Only one Original Six franchise cracks the top five in the Boston Bruins, while the Montreal Canadiens were ranked 20th among all NHL teams and No. 248 overall, which is surprising given their overall popularity.

I mean, even the Buffalo Sabres finished above the Canadiens in 18th place among NHL teams and No. 241 overall, although we all know just how passionate that sports market is so maybe it shouldn’t be that eye-opening.

Another surprise was the fact that the New Jersey Devils finished above the New York Rangers despite the Blueshirts appearing to be on their way back and boasting a talent-laden roster led by the likes of Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Kaapo Kakko and 2020 No. 1 overall pick Alexis Lafreniere.

Maybe it is the Jack Hughes factor for the Devils.

Now the surprises are out of the way, let’s take a closer look at those NHL teams who found themselves high up on the FanSided 250 list.

As already mentioned, the Bruins rounded out the top five in regards to just focusing on the NHL portion of the list, while the Dallas Stars finished fourth and No. 179 overall which is justified after they made the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.

The Washington Capitals sit at No. 3 and No. 168 overall and that probably has more to do with the continued legacy of Alex Ovechkin rather than the Caps themselves given their rather disappointing body of work since their Stanley Cup win in 2017.

Sitting at No. 2, and No. 149 overall in the FanSided 250, are the Vegas Golden Knights who have rapidly ascended into the pantheon of the most popular NHL teams, despite being a fourth-year expansion team.

The Golden Knights have completely rewritten the blueprint for all expansion teams, including the Seattle Kraken, and the fact that they are so high on the overall list shouldn’t come as a great shock given that they are built to win right now with a loaded roster while they have quickly established themselves as the new Kings of in-game entertainment with a plethora of lavish shows and events at T-Mobile Arena.

And, given that the Knights boast an appetite for a big star every single year, proven by their successful pursuit of elite defenseman Alex Pietrangelo in Free Agency, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them top the NHL list next year.

Especially if they win a Stanley Cup in 2020-21.

So, that leaves you wondering who the top-ranked NHL team is…

Step forward the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Ranked as the most popular NHL team in 2020, and coming No. 98 overall on the FanSided 250, the Lightning deserve their lofty status given that they finally put their postseason demons to rest this year by beating the Dallas Stars in six games to win the Stanley Cup.

Tampa Bay had to overcome a boatload of adversity in order to finally get their hands on the greatest prize in all of sports, overcoming a humiliating First Round sweep to the Columbus Blue Jackets the year before, adapting to life inside The Bubble and losing Captain and star forward Steven Stamkos for all but three minutes of the postseason.

But persevere and prevail the Tampa Bay Lightning did and their fans were rewarded after years of heartbreak and painful near-misses and, sticking with your team through thick and thin and living through the highs and lows is what fandom is all about, right?

I don’t think anyone could argue with the Lightning being ranked as the most popular and most worthy NHL fandom in 2020, and here’s the full list of NHL teams who made the FanSided 250:

20. Montreal Canadiens (No. 248)

19. Vancouver Canucks (No. 245)

18. Buffalo Sabres (No. 241)

17. New York Rangers (No. 240)

16. Colorado Avalanche (No. 239)

15. New Jersey Devils (No. 238)

14. Philadelphia Flyers (No. 228)

13. Nashville Predators (No. 224)

12. Edmonton Oilers (No. 223)

11. Detroit Red Wings (No. 220)

10. New York Islanders (No. 210)

9. Chicago Blackhawks (No. 207)

8. St. Louis Blues (No. 196)

7. Toronto Maple Leafs (No. 194)

6. Pittsburgh Penguins (No. 188)

5. Boston Bruins (No. 185)

4. Dallas Stars (No. 179)

3. Washington Capitals (No. 168)

2. Vegas Golden Knights (No. 149)

1. Tampa Bay Lightning (No. 98)

So, there you have it, the ultimate list and celebration of the year 2020 in fandom, giving us chance to pay tribute to the things that inspired us, moved us and brought us together in what was an incredibly trying year.

The NHL certainly did that as the players sacrificed so much to ensure that we witnessed a Stanley Cup Champion crowned in 2019-20 and, as such, it is fitting that the Tampa Bay Lightning finished on top of the pile in the NHL and so high in general on the FanSided 250.

Want to check out where your other Fandoms ranked? Check out the full FanSided 250 here!