Hockey fans are a unique breed.
I hardly know any, but the ones I know are very passionate.
Seems you either love hockey or ignore it.
That's easily cured by going to a game (*with good seats if you are a novice)
Myself...I don't like new teams or team's in the south yet
I think they need to pay their dues.
The Original Six is a unique sports phenomenon, imagine Football or Baseball playing a full season against just 5 opponents!
I cheer a little for all the O-six teams even though I am a Red Wings fan and they have deep rivalries with the other 5.
Then I find myself cheering for the welldoing of the former WHL teams who joined the NHL in the 70's. Or maybe the big expansion era teams of the mid sixties above the newer expansion teams that went into warm climates where there is no outdoor ice.
I will cheer for any hockey team or hockey player above a single NBA Team or player though...I don't understand the way that game has changed...maybe it knows what it's doing though since NBA popularity exceeds NHL by 100 to 1.