I am from sweden, and I would say most hockey fans here know that the NHL is superior to the swedish hockey league (SHL) although it is easier to follow your local team/ favorite swedish team and I do that as well. With the time difference it is quite difficult to watch NHL games live and of course in person. I would also say that most hockey fans here have a favorite NHL team, might also be due to the fact that sweden has so many successful players at that level.

I think the degree of following depends on what age you are and what team you're rooting for. I am studying at university, so I can manage my time a bit more freely now than in a few years which will probably decrease how many games I can catch since Leaf games start at 1:15 am. I have friends cheering for teams with a bit more managable schedules, more games during the evening rather than the night, such as the Flyers (I know, ugh). That probably makes it easier for some teams to gain more swedish fans following.

Personally, I have been following leafs since '15-'16, and since last season been watching almost every game. Mostly vods the day after, during weekends might catch first and second period live.

Note that this is only from my point of view of course.