I follow the Barrie Colts because my cousin plays for them, and its entertaining hockey, and people love the game. I mean its not being followed as much as I would like too, but more people are going out to see the Jr. B, OHL, WHL, AHL, and college game's because of no hockey.
The people who want the NHL back are the one's who follow the NHL and watch every damn game in the season, that they listen to Bob McKenzie, the guys from Sportsnet etc... that every detail is important.
For the past three years, I couldn't care about 80 per cent of the regular season, since it was meaningless, and never had a certain flair towards it. There was no rivalries anymore, there is no loyalty towards the teams. When you put on a Red Wings, Maple Leafs, Canadiens jersey, there was pride, and honour wearing their colours, because of the legacy behind them. You played and worked harder than before, because of the history, and the local media critizes every thing you do. Now its almost a spit in the faces of the people who brought those teams to the elite, and wear that jersey for a season or two, because you want more money to play elsewhere.