The Winter Classic

[KB in Kelowna]

So by all accounts the New Year's Day game was TV ratings and marketing success for the NHL. This has created talk in some circles that an outdoor game will become a regular if not annual event for the NHL. Thoughts?

Much talk has said the Denver (Invesco Field at Mile High), New York ( Giants Stadium or Yankee Stadium) Boston ( Fenway Park) and of course Toronto ( a roof open Rogers Center or BMO Park the soccer satium owned by MLSE) are all mentioned. Knowing the NHL and its desire for US TV exposure any western Canada venue such as CanadInns Stadium, Mosaic Stadium at Tayloe Feild, as well as McMahon and Commonwealth Stadium are prpbaly not in the cards. Too bad in my opinion,

[AtLossForWords]

I think an outdoor game in Winnipeg is exactly where the Winter Classic should go just to see if the town is really willing to support an NHL team. I'm sure Badcock would like to see one there.

[rustybadcock]

I think an outdoor game in Winnipeg is exactly where the Winter Classic should go just to see if the town is really willing to support an NHL team. I'm sure Badcock would like to see one there.

How does one game prove whether or not we'd support a team? :conspire: We had a team for 25 years - that didn't seem to prove anything to the NHL er Bettman.

Personally, I think the idea of having one here is fine, however I think they should really keep it somewhere else until a state of desperation sets in and places like Winnipeg, Quebec City, Hamilton and Halifax all start looking like viable options to the NHL. For now, why not find some magic ice and have on in Atlanta or maybe Florida...:rolleyes: :thumb:

Honestly, I think you might see one in Minnesota in the near future. Just makes sense. But if they really want exposure I'd do a Rangers game in Yankee stadium or even Central Park.

RB

[gordphish]

How does one game prove whether or not we'd support a team? :conspire: We had a team for 25 years - that didn't seem to prove anything to the NHL er Bettman.

Personally, I think the idea of having one here is fine, however I think they should really keep it somewhere else until a state of desperation sets in and places like Winnipeg, Quebec City, Hamilton and Halifax all start looking like viable options to the NHL. For now, why not find some magic ice and have on in Atlanta or maybe Florida...:rolleyes: :thumb:

Honestly, I think you might see one in Minnesota in the near future. Just makes sense. But if they really want exposure I'd do a Rangers game in Yankee stadium or even Central Park.

RB

Apparently Yankee Stadium is out since it's about to be replaced.

I wouldn't mind seeing this become an annual event for the NHL. At first, I was in support of making it the All-Star game, but a few concerns have changed my mind about that.

First, it would limit having the All-Star game to climates that could support it. I'm all for having the All-Star game in non-NHL cities, but limiting the game to near-Arctic climates may prove too limiting.

Secondly, if the league is going to get that type of exposure on US television, you want people exposed to the actual game, not the non-contact shinny that passes for our All-Star game.

So probably the best way to go would be to have it as the 'New Year's Day' classic, and for at least the short-term, involve at least one American team. And I agree with Rusty B in that next year's version should involve the New York Rangers. I'd like to see the other be the Montreal Canadiens, as I believe they celebrate their centennial next season.

[AtLossForWords]

All I know is that it should be important to have this in non-NHL cities to expose the game more, games in Hartford, Halifax, Milwaukee, and Seattle would be ideal. I'm not saying it should exclusively be in non-NHL cities, but it would be a good idea to move the sport around.

[Madferret]

I still don't see how staging this game in a state where the NHL is actually popular, with two teams that are fairly popular / well supported / well rooted / stable US teams, actually 'exposes' anything to the US.

When this thing was announced <last season> Buffalo was the NHL's team du jour, and Pittsburgh well Pittsburgh is the NHL's team du Crosby....looks more like du le cash grab to me.

du ferret

[AtLossForWords]

If you want to showcase your sport, you have to showcase the best it has to offer, and a matchup between interesting teams in a setting that's interested in the competition shows that there's interest to join with.

Have you seen any sports league go out and hold games between BS teams promote their sport in a place that wants nothing to do with it.

I think Sidney Crosby's Penguins and the last season's President's Trophy winners the Buffalo Sabres show the sport in a better light than an exhibition between the Florida Panthers and Phoenix Coyotes with players who make very little impact in the sport.

[igotregistered]

The "winter Classic" was nothing but a joke to drum up support with poster boy Sydney Crosby
Leading the way. It was a nice "one time" event but the NHL should stick to figuring out how
to keep fans in enthused with the game rather than create the one time "shows" to draw a small crowd.

[gordphish]

The "winter Classic" was nothing but a joke to drum up support with poster boy Sydney Crosby
Leading the way. It was a nice "one time" event but the NHL should stick to figuring out how
to keep fans in enthused with the game rather than create the one time "shows" to draw a small crowd.

You mean like shoot-outs, 4 on 4 overtime and OTL points?

Give me an event that celebrates the history of the league over any of those dumbass gimicks any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

[igotregistered]

The "winter Classic" was nothing but a joke to drum up support with poster boy Sydney Crosby
Leading the way. It was a nice "one time" event but the NHL should stick to figuring out how
to keep fans in enthused with the game rather than create the one time "shows" to draw a small crowd.

You mean like shoot-outs, 4 on 4 overtime and OTL points?

Give me an event that celebrates the history of the league over any of those dumbass gimicks any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

That is precisely what I mean. Throw back uni's next season would be nice. No stupid half moon in front of the goal. Close the gap behind the net again. Go back to the basics, and yes remove the god awful overtime garbage.