"No longer allowed to be a Leafs fan": NHL fans accuse Paul Bissonnette of bandwagoning after his all-Montreal Canadiens photo

Former NHL player and analyst Paul Bissonnette stirred up controversy among fans with his social media post.

Bissonnette posted a photo on X/Twitter along with the caption,

"Me getting ready for the upcoming season after the Arber Xhekaj interview."

He was referring to his interview on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast with the Montreal Canadiens rookie defenseman Arber Xhekaj on Tuesday.

The photo showed Bissonnette sporting a Canadiens t-shirt, pants, and sippy cup all bearing the Habs logo and colors. This prompted accusations from fans that he was bandwagoning and abandoning his longtime fandom of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Comments on social media were quick to call out Bissonnette for apparently switching allegiances. One fan wrote,

"No longer allowed to be a leafs fan after posting this, ***ing treason.."

Others accused him of bandwagoning and abandoning his team.

"Haha your annual band wagon jinx I like it haha."

Another fan wrote,

"Hop on the wagon Biz and come down to the bell Center. I know that you’re already familiar with our amazing city, I remember seeing you at Globe on saint Lauren back in the day in shorts sending it" on X.

Here are some fan reactions:

"I never knew Dollarama sold toilet seat jerseys your credit has dropped significantly that's the only thing you can afford now Biz" one fan wrote on X.

"You change team so often, you should be forced to turn in your Leafs’ Ambassador jacket…" another fan wrote.

"JMJ that’s going to far! You can love the kid but you still gotta hate the team!" a user commented.

Paul Bissonnette's thoughts on Arber Xhekaj's interview

Paul Bissonnette was very impressed by Arber Xhekaj's candid interview. He felt Xhekaj's openness about his journey to the NHL was refreshing and could provide inspiration to other young, undrafted players.

"I think a lot of young players can take a lot away from this. Like ones who haven't been drafted about his approach and how he took it upon his own hands to get to where he is now. All the work and effort he put in along with a lot of sacrifice from his parents, which he shares"

Paul Bissonnette highlighted Xhekaj's incredible story about how his first contract came together, but didn't want to spoil the details so fans would listen to the full interview.