Jump to content
The Official Site of the Montréal Canadiens
Canadiens de Montreal

Top Winter Classic Candidates Revealed


Recommended Posts

The Las Vegas Strip, Yankee Stadium and the Rose Bowl are on the list of leading potential sites for the NHL's annual outdoor game, NHL chief operating officer John Collins said Wednesday.

Also included on the radar are venues in Washington, Detroit and Boston.

"This is really kind of becoming a destination event for hockey fans, but also sports fans," Collins told Bloomberg News. "We want to open it up to the masses."

The league is already evaluating potential locations of outdoor games after the Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 1 at Wrigley Field drew the highest TV ratings for the NHL in 34 years.

"Of course, New York would be high on the list," Collins said. "But we also think Boston could be a really special market, and Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Denver, Montreal and Toronto. There are so many different places."

Collins added that cities interested in hosting the outdoor game would have to bid for the rights, the same process the NFL uses for the Super Bowl.

---------------------

It would be cool if they had it in New Yankee Stadium, Rangers-Minnesota would a sick game.

Also Rose Bowl would be interesting, and if successful could be a game-changer for the league.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yankee Stadium would be interesting.

But how do you play hockey in Las Vegas? And isnt Pasadena in southern california? How the heck do you play there? If its inside, that totally defeats the purpose of the game in my opinion.

There have been many whispers of some sort of California event, but IMO it would be a promotion instead of the actual game.

They can do magical things with technology these days so you never know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow. To actually consider Las Vegas or California for an outdoor game over any Canadian city is simply absurd. I suggested something on the Laffs forum a few weeks ago. Why not have a day/night Winter Classic doubleheader? Bruins vs NY Rangers at either Yankee or Fenway (the Boston vs New York thing really fits well in a situation like that) at 1pm on NBC (maybe TSN in Canada), and Maple Leafs vs Canadiens at either Olympic Stadium or the Skydome at 7pm on CBC (Versus in the US could show it). Then you please everyone (Canadians, Americans, and all 4 English National Channels. The NHL would no doubt get monster ratings on both sides of the border.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow. To actually consider Las Vegas or California for an outdoor game over any Canadian city is simply absurd. I suggested something on the Laffs forum a few weeks ago. Why not have a day/night Winter Classic doubleheader? Bruins vs NY Rangers at either Yankee or Fenway (the Boston vs New York thing really fits well in a situation like that) at 1pm on NBC (maybe TSN in Canada), and Maple Leafs vs Canadiens at either Olympic Stadium or the Skydome at 7pm on CBC (Versus in the US could show it). Then you please everyone (Canadians, Americans, and all 4 English National Channels. The NHL would no doubt get monster ratings on both sides of the border.
I'm lovin' your plan! Imagine: The other 4 of the original 6 teams! What a draw that would be.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There have been many whispers of some sort of California event, but IMO it would be a promotion instead of the actual game.

They can do magical things with technology these days so you never know.

They showed people skating in San Diego outdoors before the Colts/Chargers playoff game a few weeks ago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With all of the hype of the Winter Classic (attendance, TV, marketing), Bettman will no doubt do all he can to promote hockey in the states. I don't think you will see another Winter Classic in Canada for a few years (unless the teams themselves do it). I would like to see a Winter Classic in, say, Regina? Winnipeg?, or maybe Quebec (but only if those cities have an outdoor facility).

Mark my words, Bettman will do EVERYTHING he can to keep it out of Canada, because he doesn't have to sell it here.

JM2C

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow. To actually consider Las Vegas or California for an outdoor game over any Canadian city is simply absurd. I suggested something on the Laffs forum a few weeks ago. Why not have a day/night Winter Classic doubleheader? Bruins vs NY Rangers at either Yankee or Fenway (the Boston vs New York thing really fits well in a situation like that) at 1pm on NBC (maybe TSN in Canada), and Maple Leafs vs Canadiens at either Olympic Stadium or the Skydome at 7pm on CBC (Versus in the US could show it). Then you please everyone (Canadians, Americans, and all 4 English National Channels. The NHL would no doubt get monster ratings on both sides of the border.

I like it. Every year you have one "outdoor" day, with two big games: one located in the US and one located in Canada. It would be marketing heaven.

They showed people skating in San Diego outdoors before the Colts/Chargers playoff game a few weeks ago.

I'm sure you could make ice, the question is can you keep it good enough quality for an NHL game?

With all of the hype of the Winter Classic (attendance, TV, marketing), Bettman will no doubt do all he can to promote hockey in the states. I don't think you will see another Winter Classic in Canada for a few years (unless the teams themselves do it). I would like to see a Winter Classic in, say, Regina? Winnipeg?, or maybe Quebec (but only if those cities have an outdoor facility).

Mark my words, Bettman will do EVERYTHING he can to keep it out of Canada, because he doesn't have to sell it here.

JM2C

Exactly. It was Canada that came up with the idea but the NHL will never allow another one here again, at least as long as they only have one a season.

As a Canadian NHL fan you really do feel taken advantage of. Your money (tickets, merchandise, etc.) helps prop up the US teams, your the biggest fans, and all that; yet the NHL gives all the attention to the US market. In this case, Edmonton comes up with this really special game, and now I bet the NHL never lets another Canadian team touch it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

But how do you play hockey in Las Vegas? And isnt Pasadena in southern california? How the heck do you play there? If its inside, that totally defeats the purpose of the game in my opinion.
they've already done it in Vegas once already -- the parking lot of Caesar's Palace in September 1991 to be precise and I'm sure ice-making technology has improved since then...
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A California game would be actually really cool. I mean, I would be one of the first to tell you about how silly having franchises in the U.S. states where there is no grass roots level organization of a sport is stupid, but I have always enjoyed the Los Angeles Kings, or the Dallas Stars (Which are both pretty darn far south). If the league could pull it off, a game in California could be absolutely awesome! What a unique experience, right? :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

he's high right?

the las vegas strip?

who's gonna show up, 65 year old millionare gambling addicts who gave a casino so much money that the casino feels guilty and decide to throw him a pair of tickets so he can entertain his 20 something wife whos got more plastic then a mattel toy?

SoCal?

thats even worse, the only market who deserves anything NHL related in Cali is the Sharks, The Kings and Ducks have a sorry excuse for a fan base

i cannot wait to heckle this guy at the draft

Link to comment
Share on other sites

he's high right?

the las vegas strip?

who's gonna show up, 65 year old millionare gambling addicts who gave a casino so much money that the casino feels guilty and decide to throw him a pair of tickets so he can entertain his 20 something wife whos got more plastic then a mattel toy?

SoCal?

thats even worse, the only market who deserves anything NHL related in Cali is the Sharks, The Kings and Ducks have a sorry excuse for a fan base

i cannot wait to heckle this guy at the draft

I'm not sure about Vegas, but Cali definetly has a hockey market and if they can put on a big event there it would be huge for the NHL.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...