Comments on: Bold ideas for next Winter Classic include Colorado, Florida

By: brucewaynewins

brucewaynewins — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:25:22 +0000

If they put it in the Shoe I think the Red Wings have to be the away team to help sell it out. Ohio State vs Michigan would also sell out for a college game.

Miami makes sense in the Marlins stadium. I think the fact its in Florida and the technical feet of it would draw a lot of attention but only for a one time deal. It’d require the opponent be a marque team or and the Panthers would need some star players.

Colorado, LA, and Minnesota would both sell out with no issues I think. They like most of the teams we’re talking about need to play better and get some more marquee players.

I think out of all the teams we’re talking about the easiest ratings just based on one team is LA because its a big market which draws attention whether you want to admit it or not. The second one is Miami because of the pure spectacle.

By: tcclark

tcclark — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:10:12 +0000

How about Detroit v. Minnesota in a neutral ice game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Not only will you get a good hockey game in a classic stadium (known as the frozen tundra), the NHL would also be able to test out the Wisconsin hockey market. It seems odd that there isn’t already a team up there.

By: atwatercrushesokoye

atwatercrushesokoye — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 02:00:21 +0000

You’re right, the NHL created (brought back) the Canadian “Heritage Classic” last year so that Canada could have it’s own outdoor game, and thus not feel left out. They can’t have it every year though because only Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg have outdoor stadiums suitable for the event. Vancouver and Toronto have retractable roof stadiums that don’t quite have the same essence, and then Ottawa and Montreal currently lack stadiums to host the event. Montreal does have a dome stadium (roof doesn’t retract anymore) and a football stadium that’s too small and would have a capacity of less than the Bell Centre.

I also agree Yankee Stadium would be an awesome venue, although they need to wait until the demise of the Pinstripe Bowl, but the Boston v New York thing has been done to death…do something different like Rangers v Chicago or even Rangers v Devils.

By: atwatercrushesokoye

atwatercrushesokoye — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:51:29 +0000

Toronto doesn’t really work because they don’t have an outdoor stadium, and the Skydome has no drainage capabilities on the field, so I’m not sure how it would work getting rid of the ice afterwards. Add to that the Leafs would lose a home game (all outdoor games become NHL events and they take over everything and pay the home team a fee) and I can’t see the Leafs being too excited about it.

The NHL seems to think (whether they’re right or wrong) that they have one marketable star so I would wager that the Penguins are involved again next year, in fact I wouldn’t be shocked if the shortsighted “visionaries” at the NHL try for a Capitals v Penguins game in Washington next year.

By: rainyday56

rainyday56 — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:08:54 +0000

Maybe even get the UFC involved.

By: rainyday56

rainyday56 — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:54:36 +0000

Ducks vs Kings @ the Rose Bowl on roller blades (non league game). Forget the alumni game, dovetail the event with an X-game extravaganza at the same venue. Hold it in the middle of January between the bowl games and Superbowl. Time for the NHL to be creative and reach out to alternative youth cultures who have disposable money.

By: sanjosecupcrazy

sanjosecupcrazy — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:30:31 +0000

AT&T Park — San Francisco. Sharks vs. Canucks.

By: oquintero99

oquintero99 — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:22:42 +0000

Would love Minnesota or Toronto, maybe Ottawa

By: pastabelly

pastabelly — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:16:44 +0000

Canada already has it’s own outdoor game, the Heritage Classic. Agree on Bruins-Rangers at Yankee Stadium or new football stadium. Columbus is not ready for prime time and wouldn’t attract a national tv audience. Get a game in Denver and then get the game back to a city in the northeast.

By: laurely515

laurely515 — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:01:22 +0000

Yeah, that would be cool, but I don’t think NBC would ever let that happen. They probably wouldn’t want one of the two home markets to be Canadian, because people watching in Canada don’t count towards ratings.

Bruins-Rangers in Yankee Stadium could be just as big a draw though.

By: govtminion

govtminion — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:54:03 +0000

It does seem like it defeats the idea. “OK, so we’ll play the only outdoor game of the year… but we’ll do it INDOORS!” It’s the same problem I had with them doing the game at JerryWorld in Dallas. Why bother?

But Colorado? He didn’t need to bring up Tebow, that was dumb- the event sells itself. And I can confirm that it definitely gets cold enough in early January to get the ice ready at Mile High- and then some!

By: chrisjdonohue

chrisjdonohue — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:26:21 +0000

Yankee Stadium for a Rangers v Canadiens/Leafs game. Now that would be a site to see. Original 6? Bring in a Canadian team? Talk abt a draw.

By: gbiscottagecheesefatties

gbiscottagecheesefatties — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:20:42 +0000

Florida… really… that makes no sense. it won’t happen, no one will want to watch that

By: canucks18

canucks18 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:07:32 +0000

Hockey’s answer to the Superbowl?? Hahahahaha that’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard!!! O’Brien you’re quickly losing it

By: laurely515

laurely515 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:58:59 +0000

With the Pittsburgh having played in last year’s game, and Philadelphia playing this year, it’s not likely to happen for a while, especially since there’s no nearby city, but more than anything I would want to see Flyers-Penguins at Beaver Stadium.

By: cannonblast14

cannonblast14 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:57:18 +0000

Detroit at Blue Jackets in the Ohio State shoe. Day before you warm up with the Ohio state Michigan rivalry which is one of, I’d not biggest rivalry. Bring the jackets wings “rivalry” and take it into the Ohio state- Michigan territory by playin in the shoe