Comments on: Report: Red Wings trying to call dibs on hosting next Winter Classic

By: blkeskimo1785

blkeskimo1785 — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:25:34 +0000

Avs fan voting for the Winter Classic in Detroit next year.

By: devilsfan3332

devilsfan3332 — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:43:09 +0000

What you all seem to forget is that Ann Arbor is not Detroit and from my understanding if you host the Winter Classic,it has to be in the city in which the team plays.If my understanding is correct that eliminates Michigan Stadium and leaves only Comerica.Here is an list of some of the past Winter Classic
host cities

Citizens Bank Park,Philadelphia, Heinz Field,Pittsburgh,Fenway Park,Boston Wrigley Field Chicago, Ralph Wilson Stadium,Buffalo

The one thread that binds all the Winter Classic venues together,and something Mike Ilitch seems to forget,is that all previous Winter Classic venues are in the cities that the team play in

By: quizguy66

quizguy66 — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:30:47 +0000

Give it to Columbus or Nashville since Detroit’s whining led to the realignment that is less than the ideal for these teams

-QG

By: comeonnowguys

comeonnowguys — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:45:01 +0000

Gee. What a surprise. Detroit campaigning for something.

By: whipplesan

whipplesan — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:44:44 +0000

I LOVE this idea. This gives a pleasant mental image. However farfetched, considering the environmental issues surrounding the lake these days.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:02:16 +0000

Actually no, I did not. Still unconvinced they would draw enough for a Winter Classic.

Maybe they’ll get a chance to prove me wrong…. which I’ll be the first to admit.

By: docktorellis

docktorellis — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:31:03 +0000

That’s because the vikings are terrible. You do realize that the Wild have enjoyed a sellout streak that ranks among the top in the nhl in recent years, right?

By: docktorellis

docktorellis — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:29:20 +0000

I’m all for the classic in Detroit, but Chris I couldn’t disagree more with your assessment of the Wild. All of jrmehle’s points about the fanbase and venues are accurate, not to mention that the Wild’s region is not simply Minnesota, but MN, Iowa, and the Dakotas (and much of Wisconsin, though I think some of that fanbase turned their attention to other NHL teams (Detroit) or to Badgers hockey during the long dark unmentionable years between the North Stars and the Wild’s arrival. A Winter Classic in either TCF or Target Field would be incredible.

By: nhlbruins90

nhlbruins90 — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:41:58 +0000

They tell the teams to ‘think out of the box’ with their proposals (apparently), so that’s not crazy. Probably won’t happen, but it’s not crazy.

By: cliverush

cliverush — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:31:01 +0000

Here is an off the wall idea. Give the west coast fans a chance at this venue by having a game between the Ducks and the Sharks. The site could be around the Lake Tahoe area. I suggest they play on the natural ice surface of the lake. Build temporary stands on a slope overlooking the lake. I know it sounds crazy but the Casinos could help with the construction and logistics.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:29:34 +0000

No draw for warm weather teams. Most can’t even fill their own stadiums for home games.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:28:14 +0000

And right now… who wants to watch the Avs anymore… even on TV?

Fix the coaching and team first. THEN try the big stage.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:26:34 +0000

Minnesota can’t even sell out a Vikings game…or even enough tickets to avoid being blacked out.

Why do you think they would do justice to a Winter Classic hockey game?

By: habssux69

habssux69 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:23:55 +0000

The NHL has already said they want to keep the winter classic an American hockey tradition, Canada already has their out door game, so any Canadian Hockey in the winter classic doesn’t sound like its going to happen for a while

By: whipplesan

whipplesan — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:26:00 +0000

Going with the comment earlier, no DET fan would give a rats-anus about the Blue Jackets coming to town – they already do 4 times a year.

Detroit vs. SJ would be awesome, or Detroit/Vancouver

By: whipplesan

whipplesan — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:23:39 +0000

Although it would be great, I think the weather’s far too variably warm in Denver to host.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:00:00 +0000

As a Detroit fan I would be so ticked off if I had to watch another Detroit vs Columbus game….give me a real opponent please

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:57:50 +0000

Sorry to burst your bubble but no one gives a crap about the Wild. Maybe you do and that’s fine, but the purpose of the Winter Ice Classic is to showcase the league on a national level. This is why you see a lot of the same teams getting it, while others have no shot.

I am all for the Classic coming to the D, I am just across the water in Canada and would love to attend this event!

By: danphipps01

danphipps01 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:57:57 +0000

Also a good plan. California hockey’s actually grown into a fairly productive business. The Kings are one of the more productive teams financially. Why not A) reward them for it, and B) potentially draw more revenue for your trouble? Good idea, that is. Plus, B’s/Kings would be a pretty sweet matchup.

By: danphipps01

danphipps01 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:54:37 +0000

Oh man, where do I sign? That would be awesome.

By: greynraney

greynraney — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:54:24 +0000

As a Stars fan I would love to see them play a WC and playing the Wild makes perfect sense, but the NHL would never go for it. Which Stars sweater has a “big staff in the middle?”

By: nhlbruins90

nhlbruins90 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:52:58 +0000

Detroit is fine. It’s plenty cold and if you can break that attendance record, so much the better. It’ll be a fun event. And I agree, a Minny Classic would not be a bad idea.

But I say it’s time to get the LA Kings into the mix. And since the Classic is all about getting the best ratings (the cold, hard facts folks), let’s get the B’s back for another go at it. I see a Boston LA match-up at Gillette Stadium. Of course, the Patriots might be playing a game that week, so it all has to be hashed out, but … that’s the best way to get a west coast team in it and still produce some ratings.

By: hystoracle

hystoracle — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:45:48 +0000

Playing in the Big House would be awesome.. they could couple it up with a Univ of Michigan college hockey game. Maybe Michigan v. Wisconsin or Minnesota.. Can’t have too much hockey!

By: brucewaynewins

brucewaynewins — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:25:15 +0000

If you want to fill the Big House you either need the Blue Jackets to try and play off the OSU Michigan rivalry or find the team who provides the next best traveling fan base and most US tv ratings after Detroit.

I’m guessing the traveling fan base is Toronto, Montreal, or Boston?

I’m guessing tv ratings is probably Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Boston?

So the only one of those six in both categories if I’m right and I didn’t fact check so I may be wrong, is Boston.

That said I’d rather see Detroit vs LA, Detroit vs Anaheim, or Detroit vs San Jose.

By: govtminion

govtminion — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:14:25 +0000

Oh come on, what do the Lightning have to do to get some attention for hosting this thing? This thing is rigged!

I’d LOVE to see the game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, but I’m kind of a homer like that. I really would, above humor aside, like to see some of these warmer-weather teams like Tampa, Phoenix, San Jose, etc. start getting a chance to be in this too though- if they can’t host it (obviously), send them up to places like Minnesota, Vancouver, Detroit, etc. that CAN, and share the love a little. So far we haven’t had a warm-weather team take part at all.

By: itsallniceonice

itsallniceonice — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:00:52 +0000

While 24/7 is still going strong they really need Bos vs. Mtl. The biggest and baddest NHL rivalry needs to be shown!

By: abrienza428

abrienza428 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:47:30 +0000

Yeah, this is simple. Detroit vs. Toronto in Ann Arbor would fill up easily. Do it.

By: illbringdabeers

illbringdabeers — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:39:52 +0000

I would like to see the next Winter Classic be in Denver and Mile High. Avs. vs. The Canucks or Kings or another Western Team. The East has had it to much and I think Mile High would be an ideal location

By: mrwaffles116

mrwaffles116 — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:23:32 +0000

If it’s Detroit, put it in Ann Arbor and play the Blue Jackets! It would be part 2 of the UM- OSU rivalry, and I’m sure it could draw a crowd!

By: polegojim

polegojim — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:18:30 +0000

Always cater to Detroit??? Not. You’re missing the point and facts.

They listen to Detroit, because Detroit produces maximum revenues and draws fans and viewers like no other team in the NHL right now, save maybe Pit and Chicago.

The game is not about ‘fairness’ and taking turns on a kiddie merry-go-round…it’s about financial success and viewers. Detroit gives them that.

Dallas fans watching a ‘winter classic’? NOT, that would be a bust. It’s a financially failing franchise.
Minnesota and Edmonton are no where near the market of a Detroit, Montreal, NY, Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Vancouver, Toronto.

Red Wings v Bruins or Pens or BHawks, or Habs would be top billing. Rangers are in it this year, and Toronto… well… keep getting better boys.