Not a bandwagon Rangers, fan but not a "real" fan who watches every game and follows the team all year either.
I'm from New York and I've always supported the Rangers, because they're my home team. Hell, I even have some Rangers apparel at home that I wear around the apartment. I guess I could be considered a bandwagon fan since I'm excited that they're in the finals, but i have no shame rooting for my home team.
I agree with the people that said having these bandwagon fans is good for the NHL. Hockey needs all the fans they can get. It's pretty damn exciting watching a hockey game
I'm in a similar position. Maybe if I lived in NY, I'd be able to follow the Rangers more often.. but I definitely make an effort to watch as many playoff games as I can.
My feelings in general with "bandwagon" fans is so long as you don't pretend like you've been there for years.. through the bad and the good.. then it's okay. If through some miracle the Knicks ever win, I know it'll be a little annoying if fans pop up and claims they've been there for a decade but it's the way it goes. OKB pointed out how it usually works, it's nothing new.
A championship run can always bring new fans to the sport or to the team and to me that's always good.
Plus, as long as you're not an ******* about it.
There's a couple younger kids at the office who were messing with this ~ 50's Islanders fan. Guy asked him to name a couple players off the 94 team and they really couldn't outside of I think Mike and Messier...guy starts name dropping the Roland Melason and Ken Morrow names of those old NYI Cup winners and they had to walk away