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2010 Winter Classic At Fenway Park


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Source: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=274409

Fenway Park will host the 2010 NHL Winter Classic, so the Bruins will definately be involved. However, from what I've heard from Sportsnet, there won't be a Canadian team involved. The reason? NBC doesn't want a Canadian team to play, I assume because they're worried about ratings. How in god's sake would a Bruins-Habs WC hurt ratings???

This might change in the future, but if this is true, what a disappointment. At least it won't be too bad if they put a local team like the Rangers or Flyers in there, but knowing the NHL, don't be surprised if it's Boston vs. Tampa Bay.

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Source: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=274409

Fenway Park will host the 2010 NHL Winter Classic, so the Bruins will definately be involved. However, from what I've heard from Sportsnet, there won't be a Canadian team involved. The reason? NBC doesn't want a Canadian team to play, I assume because they're worried about ratings. How in god's sake would a Bruins-Habs WC hurt ratings???

This might change in the future, but if this is true, what a disappointment. At least it won't be too bad if they put a local team like the Rangers or Flyers in there, but knowing the NHL, don't be surprised if it's Boston vs. Tampa Bay.

Seeing as NBC is an American broadcasting network, what appeal to people outside of the Northeastern region does the Habs do?

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It looks like it's already basically confirmed to happen...

Well it also depends when in 2010, usually they love to do this in January, maybe they're thinking about doing it in December of 2010 and to let the canadiens do something for December/January 09 or 10.

Who knows, but with Gary Bettman i wouldn't be surprised for a bit if he denied the canadiens to do something like that.

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Well it also depends when in 2010, usually they love to do this in January, maybe they're thinking about doing it in December of 2010 and to let the canadiens do something for December/January 09 or 10.

Who knows, but with Gary Bettman i wouldn't be surprised for a bit if he denied the canadiens to do something like that.

The game is on New Years day.

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I doubt this is going to happen in 2010.

I'm pretty sure the canadiens are gonna do everything that they can to host the game at the Big O to celebrate their 100 years properly.

The Winter Classic is an American Creation to broaden the American Market so as I have said many times before I doubt we'll see the game in canada until every american team has been used at least once and even then I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't come north of the border.

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The Winter Classic is an American Creation to broaden the American Market so as I have said many times before I doubt we'll see the game in canada until every american team has been used at least once and even then I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't come north of the border.

Canada just doesn't have the sexy venues the US does. Wrigley and Fenway? So awesome.

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As stupid as this may sound, I had always hoped they would make an even bigger deal about this event by having the team that wins the previous year, return to play again (thus, defending their "championship") the next year for another Winter Classic. Kind of making the event a mini-championship in the middle of the season. Something small to get excited about being the winner of beyond the 2 points.

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As stupid as this may sound, I had always hoped they would make an even bigger deal about this event by having the team that wins the previous year, return to play again (thus, defending their "championship") the next year for another Winter Classic. Kind of making the event a mini-championship in the middle of the season. Something small to get excited about being the winner of beyond the 2 points.

Doesn't sound so stupid.

You may have something there :P

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  • 2 weeks later...
As stupid as this may sound, I had always hoped they would make an even bigger deal about this event by having the team that wins the previous year, return to play again (thus, defending their "championship") the next year for another Winter Classic. Kind of making the event a mini-championship in the middle of the season. Something small to get excited about being the winner of beyond the 2 points.

I like the idea a lot, but from a marketing viewpoint it really limits the venues and teams that can be involved.

For those complaining the Habs aren't getting an outdoor game, we played in the first ever outdoor NHL game in Edmonton, and for the Centennial we got the draft and the All-Star game. Not too shabby.

The NHL FINALLY has something that sells nationally in the States. Clearly a Habs-Bruins game would be enormous, but only in those two cities. Do you tune in to watch many Battles of Ontarios just because its a big rivalry? This league is finally building momentum - last years Cup was great, the Winter Classics, a boatload of young talent, revived markets in Boston and Chicago, Sid vs. Ovechkin in the playoffs, etc. You can't ignore the American market, it's simply too big. With several teams in serious financial trouble, and a number of others that might make a bit of money here and there, there is really no choice but to fix the problem in the States, specifically the South. Part of that means getting buzz and getting on TV. There's not enough big cities in Canada to move all the troubled franchises to, and no one will back contraction, so part of the solution is to grow the game in the States.

Long term how is that a bad thing? If we are going with a thirty team league (or God forbid, 30+) we're going to need a lot more talent to keep the league exciting. Canada's potential is pretty much maxed out, but America could produce many more great players which would only make the game better. That's what I'm concerned about, turning on the TV, or heading to a game, and watching good hockey, whether its NHL, World Juniors, Olympics, World Cup, whatever. Canada will remain a great hockey country, and the home of the game - a game that belongs to Canada but should be shared and enjoyed with the world.

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I like the idea a lot, but from a marketing viewpoint it really limits the venues and teams that can be involved.

For those complaining the Habs aren't getting an outdoor game, we played in the first ever outdoor NHL game in Edmonton, and for the Centennial we got the draft and the All-Star game. Not too shabby.

The NHL FINALLY has something that sells nationally in the States. Clearly a Habs-Bruins game would be enormous, but only in those two cities. Do you tune in to watch many Battles of Ontarios just because its a big rivalry? This league is finally building momentum - last years Cup was great, the Winter Classics, a boatload of young talent, revived markets in Boston and Chicago, Sid vs. Ovechkin in the playoffs, etc. You can't ignore the American market, it's simply too big. With several teams in serious financial trouble, and a number of others that might make a bit of money here and there, there is really no choice but to fix the problem in the States, specifically the South. Part of that means getting buzz and getting on TV. There's not enough big cities in Canada to move all the troubled franchises to, and no one will back contraction, so part of the solution is to grow the game in the States.

Long term how is that a bad thing? If we are going with a thirty team league (or God forbid, 30+) we're going to need a lot more talent to keep the league exciting. Canada's potential is pretty much maxed out, but America could produce many more great players which would only make the game better. That's what I'm concerned about, turning on the TV, or heading to a game, and watching good hockey, whether its NHL, World Juniors, Olympics, World Cup, whatever. Canada will remain a great hockey country, and the home of the game - a game that belongs to Canada but should be shared and enjoyed with the world.

Excellent post.

I think the game is growing in the States. Actually on ESPN this morning NHL playoff is the lead story, over the NBA playoffs. That's just one example but people from the States I know say ESPN dedicates a lot more time to NHL highlights and talking hockey so things aren't as bleak and people want to try and imply.

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Seeing as NBC is an American broadcasting network, what appeal to people outside of the Northeastern region does the Habs do?

To be honest, I would not be surprised if that is the case. I know as a habs fan in florida, I get asked quite often how I can be a habs fan. And not just by locals, but by Canadian Hab fans. Any other team wouldnt warrant much attention, but for some reason its odd to not be from Quebec and still be a Montreal fan in people's eyes. So I can see why in the US, they would only do US teams. They might do Toronto or maybe Vancouver, but unless the game was in Canada, I wouldnt expect to see Montreal or even Ottawa in the game.

But I wonder who would be a good Boston opponent? Buffalo did one the other year, and again the other teams are Canadian's. So if it is a US team, would they go for the Rangers? Does the NY/Boston rivalry go beyond the Yanks and Red Sox? I cant picture Philly in it. But thats because I hate Philly. New Jersey would actually be my best bet. Gotta get Brodeur in one. Second bet would be Washington to get Ovie in it.

Beyond that, I dont know who they would put there to put butts in the seats.

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But I wonder who would be a good Boston opponent? Buffalo did one the other year, and again the other teams are Canadian's. So if it is a US team, would they go for the Rangers? Does the NY/Boston rivalry go beyond the Yanks and Red Sox? I cant picture Philly in it. But thats because I hate Philly. New Jersey would actually be my best bet. Gotta get Brodeur in one. Second bet would be Washington to get Ovie in it.

Beyond that, I dont know who they would put there to put butts in the seats.

I think a game in Fenway, combined with the Bruins hot season and the emergence of Kessel and Lucic should sell the game no problem, as far as butts in the seats goes. For TV ratings I think Ovechkin and the Caps are the best bet. Keep selling Ovechkin hard, he's a huge talent. I think the NHL has learned that as great as Crosby can be there should be a lot more faces that people know. You don't want to end up like the PGA and have no one watching if Tiger's not playing.

I'm only a six hour drive from Boston in Saint John! I'd seriously think of going.

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