No true Scotsman

“True Fans” and the Hall trade

The Divide

If you’re one of the many people that are sick of hearing about the Taylor Hall trade in Oil Country, I’m going to warn you now: It will be discussed in this blog. That being said, stick with me. The purpose of this blog isn’t to kick the dead horse that is the Hall trade, but to discuss issues surrounding it.

I’ve noticed something peculiar since Hall was traded. It’s no surprise that such a monumental trade would divide a fan base, but what is interesting to me is some of the narratives that have emerged since the trade first occurred. Oilers fans were almost unanimous in declaring that the trade was an overpay when it was first announced, yet since then, many seem to be rationalizing the return and plunging into the depths of advanced stats in an effort to justify it. In the days since, many have come to accept the trade as is and have even flip flopped completely, apparently now content that Hall for Larsson straight up was a fair deal. What is most interesting to me is that some Oiler fans have been accusing others who remain critical of the trade of not being “true fans”.

The Problem

This is not a new phenomenon in Oil Country, nor is it a new phenomenon in sports (or in just about any other subject of human interest). It wasn’t all that long ago that Oilers fans were embroiled in a very similar debate over the subject of the team’s management. Fans that were critical of the “Old Boy’s Club” were often accused of not being “true fans” simply because they were so bold as to criticize the decisions the Oilers had made up to that point. Telling someone they are not a “true fan” because they have differing opinions than you is like telling someone they aren’t a “true Canadian” because they don’t share your political or social values.

In philosophy, debate, and logic, this is a logical fallacy; and logical fallacies are always considered incorrect. In this particular case, we are dealing with the “No True Scotsman” logical fallacy:

Curiously, the notion that a person cannot criticize a trade, or a GM without losing their status as a “true fan” is most often spouted by Oilers fans who themselves felt no qualms with criticizing certain players. That is hypocrisy by definition, and defies all logic. No institution (be it political, social, or otherwise) should be considered above scrutiny and criticism, least of all a sports team. When it comes to NHL teams, if there is one team in the league in the last decade that deserves to have every decision held under the microscope and dissected meticulously, it is without a doubt the Edmonton Oilers. How is it a team that has been so inept for the last ten years now has fans that clamour to the defence of every decision made, and only considers these decisions worthy of criticism in retrospect (after all doubt has been removed)?

Freedom of Expression

There is nothing wrong with agreeing or disagreeing with a particular trade or signing or firing or hiring. At the end of the day, we would have nothing to talk about as fans if we were all under some draconian gag order and not permitted to talk about our opinions. This is why I find it so ridiculous that some fans are so bold as to suggest that dissent is somehow the abdication of fandom. Stop telling others to “get over it”. Stop suggesting that fans who criticize the team aren’t “true fans” because they don’t cheerlead every single decision. Criticism of the team shows that fans care. If we stop caring altogether, we’ll have legitimate cause for concern.

As a whole, people would do well to remember that dissenting opinions and criticisms are the foundations that have driven our civilization forward, and contentment with any institution only leads to corruption and ultimately; failure. You don’t have to agree with another person’s opinion on the Hall trade, on management issues, or even the hairstyle Daryl Katz’s kid has; or any other subject. We are all Oiler fans, and trying to take that away from someone else simply because you don’t like their opinion is the height of absurdity. I was sick of it during the Oilers management debate, and I’m sick of it now.

The Solution

I’m not opposed to people voicing their thoughts on the state of the Edmonton Oilers. I am opposed to the suggestion that any opinion that differs from a media personality, a blogger, or the average Oilers fan somehow indicates a lack of fandom. It’s neither my right nor yours to dictate who really is a fan of this hockey club. If you are tired of hearing about the Hall trade, ask yourself WHY it bothers you so much. Ask yourself why you feel “negativity” from other fans has such an impact on you. Then look at the last 16 years (outside of our one magical playoff run 10 years ago) and consider the following:

Maybe, just MAYBE, fans of this team have every right to scrutinize the decisions made by the Oilers while every other hockey fan on the planet does the same. The Edmonton Oilers don’t deserve to live in a bubble, free of criticism. If you are still paying the Oilers the slightest degree of attention as a fan after a decade of hot garbage, YOU deserve a better NHL club; and you are most assuredly a “True Fan”. The bandwagon was abandoned years ago.

I truly hope with the rest of you that the future will be brighter. We all have differing opinions. Maybe this rebuild of the rebuild of the rebuild will be different?

-Thanks for reading. Leave your thoughts in the comments section or tell me I’m a bum on twitter