3. Ryan Getzlaf
He’s the captain of the Anaheim Ducks team which makes him a focal point of opposing fans hate. If that was the only reason, Getzlaf wouldn’t be on the list. He has built up his own reputation around the league. Some would say well earned.
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The general impression of Ryan Getzlaf is that he’s a dirty player. While he had less self-control when he was younger, it seems more like guilt by association. For better or worse, he’ll be tied to CP10, who has an even worse reputation. He plays the game hard, but clean.
Getzlaf is despised for another reason. Opposing fans see him as a whiner. He hasn’t reached Sydney Crosby status among NHL fans, but Getzlaf still annoys them. It’s clear he’s not intimidated by the referees and isn’t shy about sharing his opinion about calls or non-calls. This is a good example from December 11, 2011, it comes from “On the Forecheck,” a Nashville Predators blog. That day their blog was titled Captain Crybaby and it led with:
“As sure as night follows day, sunshine follows rain and spring follows winter, the league-wide portion of our hockey notes begin with Anaheim captain Ryan Getzlaf complaining after last night’s 3-2 Predators win… “
Here is another one from 2011, courtesy of Bleacher Report:
“There is just something about Ryan Getzlaf’s swagger and sneer that drives me nuts. He’s an incredibly talented player that I’d take on my team in a heartbeat. But opposing him?”
Other examples that opposing fans saw as whining include him calling the league to task over some players (ie Connor McDavid) getting preferential calls during games. The homophobic slur he made during last year’s playoffs and his resulting weak apology added wood to the fire.
Next: Mid-Summer Review: Are the Ducks better?
Stick around over the next week for numbers one and two on the O.C.’s Most Wanted list.