the one in buffalo was the very first one. plus crosby.

its not a novelty anymore
- Crimsoninja

love when you shame posters

HaHa nope 2nd one
- mr.peanut

habs/oilers was heritage classic

habs/oilers was heritage classic
- Crimsoninja

see above

Who said it had to be two small market teams? Here's an idea: make it teams that are decent. Have it be a rematch from the Stanley Cup Finals. Or pick a historic rivalry from two playoff teams.

People don't want to see teams a third time when over 70% of the league hasn't been in it once. The NHL just wants it to be the large market east coast teams classic, fine. Just don't expect people to keep tuning in.
- Antilles

Dallas, Florida, Special one in Atlanta, San Jose, Phoenix, Minnesota and Tampa to each get before St. Louis, because you know population.

habs/oilers was heritage classic
- Crimsoninja

Oh sorry different word in front of classic no wonder you never heard of it.

Looks like the last we've seen of Crims in these parts.

They should have one on a real pond, somewhere in northern Ontario.

No live crowd.

No TV.

No gentlemen in vertical stripes.

Maybe a couple of reporters so we can find out who won.

Back to basics.
- StLBravesFan

Sweet business model

Eklund: Sources: Next Winter Classic: Flyers To Visit Capitals
- Eklund

Who said it had to be two small market teams? Here's an idea: make it teams that are decent. Have it be a rematch from the Stanley Cup Finals. Or pick a historic rivalry from two playoff teams.

People don't want to see teams a third time when over 70% of the league hasn't been in it once. The NHL just wants it to be the large market east coast teams classic, fine. Just don't expect people to keep tuning in.
- Antilles

Yes, exactly.

Just please, no more games at Fenway.

Absolutely no view of the play for 90% of people in the crowd.

I paid $150 a pop for me and my then girlfriend to watch the jumbotron in center.
- tyanderson

im sorry for your loss

Oh sorry different word in front of classic no wonder you never heard of it.
- mr.peanut

I accept your apology

I'm with you, but I doubt it's got that much to do with the Flyers being owned by NBC's parent company.

If they didn't pull good ratings, they wouldn't be involved. I'm just happy theyre not in one of the outdoor games this year. I'd rather see something like St Louis-Colorado myself
- Jsaquella

I think that was part of his point. They DO get good ratings and that's why they keep going back to them so that they are guaranteed the ratings they want.

Hell Vegas had an outdoor game 20+ years ago. In the parking lot of Caesar's. in 95 degree heat.
- Jsaquella

It was silly then, and it's silly now! This whole notion of tyring to host outdoor games in warm climates is assinine at best. With the exception of the first Classsic, they've had ice trouble in every single game, and I'm talking winter climate venues.

This is nothing more than a novelty idea aimed at getting ratings. Nothing more, after the first one or two, the idea will die because people will no longer be interested in or enamored by the idea of an outdoor NHL game in a warm weather climate.

There stands to be a good reason they haven't attempted it again for the last 20+years...

It was silly then, and it's silly now! This whole notion of tyring to host outdoor games in warm climates is assinine at best. With the exception of the first Classsic, they've had ice trouble in every single game, and I'm talking winter climate venues.

This is nothing more than a novelty idea aimed at getting ratings. Nothing more, after the first one or two, the idea will die because people will no longer be interested in or enamored by the idea of an outdoor NHL game in a warm weather climate.

There stands to be a good reason they haven't attempted it again for the last 20+years...
- MnGump

cant remember who it was, but someone who played in that game was on TSN for Off the Record and he said the ice was ok in that vegas game, the issue was the crickets and bugs who flocked towards the white surface bc its bright and would freeze to the ice. Most of the game they were skating over frozen grasshoppers

I think that was part of his point. They DO get good ratings and that's why they keep going back to them so that they are guaranteed the ratings they want.
- MnGump

I thought the point of the WC was to reach and bring in new fans to the NHL who otherwise wouldn't be watching hockey. What's the point if they keep regurgitating two teams from supposedly mature NHL markets? And Eastern Conference also-rans at that.

Craptastic!

I thought the point of the WC was to reach and bring in new fans to the NHL who otherwise wouldn't be watching hockey. What's the point if they keep regurgitating two teams from supposedly mature NHL markets? And Eastern Conference also-rans at that.

Craptastic!
- MartiniMan

Hard to disagree with you. Big names and big markets seem to be the trend driving these choices... Then there's that whole East coast bias thing, even though the majority of better teams are in the Western conference...

Bettmans afraid that if they take a chance on allowing a Western team to host his little cash cow that the ratings will tank and he'll be fired. That's why they're experimenting with these "other" outdoor games to see how well they do. I'm guessing it's strictly a litmus test to see how they fare. If the ratings are bad, say bye bye to any possibility of a Winter Classic outside of the East half of the US.

Hard to disagree with you. Big names and big markets seem to be the trend driving these choices... Then there's that whole East coast bias thing, even though the majority of better teams are in the Western conference...

Bettmans afraid that if they take a chance on allowing a Western team to host his little cash cow that the ratings will tank and he'll be fired. That's why they're experimenting with these "other" outdoor games to see how well they do. I'm guessing it's strictly a litmus test to see how they fare. If the ratings are bad, say bye bye to any possibility of a Winter Classic outside of the East half of the US.
- MnGump

Bettman is never under threat of being fired. The other outdoor games are a way to get more owners, especially the ones in smaller markets, to cash in on this. Higher prices+more seats= more $$$$$.

And Colorado has a huge fan base?. Where the hell is Colorado and does anyone really care???.
- isitin

The avalanche have the greatest rise in attendance this season. Just watch. Once football is over, the avs fans will come flocking.

Yeah!!!!......the flyers again

Bettman is never under threat of being fired. The other outdoor games are a way to get more owners, especially the ones in smaller markets, to cash in on this. Higher prices+more seats= more $$$$$.
- rmdevil313

Yeah, my comment on Bettman was sort of half cocked, but I still believe that these other outdoor games will be a flash in the pan if they don't help boost ratings and revenue league wide. Personally, IMO I think they will detract from the popularity of the Winter Classic and if anything will hinder future ratings and revenues because the novelty will wear off and the WC will be just another outdoor game...

Yeah, my comment on Bettman was sort of half cocked, but I still believe that these other outdoor games will be a flash in the pan if they don't help boost ratings and revenue league wide. Personally, IMO I think they will detract from the popularity of the Winter Classic and if anything will hinder future ratings and revenues because the novelty will wear off and the WC will be just another outdoor game...
- MnGump

I initially thought this as well, but I think the other games are there to stay. Even if they don't get great ratings they will still bring in a lot of revenue for teams, especially ones that otherwise would not get a WC (The nhl is still very gate driven). It will also bring more local attention to teams. THe WC will still be the big show. The NHL wants New Years Day to be their big event and so they will still have 24/7 leading up to the game, they will still use the same recycled teams, and they will most likely still draw great ratings. For hardcore fans like me and you the WC has nothing special to it anymore, but I don't think that's its purpose.

I initially thought this as well, but I think the other games are there to stay. Even if they don't get great ratings they will still bring in a lot of revenue for teams, especially ones that otherwise would not get a WC (The nhl is still very gate driven). It will also bring more local attention to teams. THe WC will still be the big show. The NHL wants New Years Day to be their big event and so they will still have 24/7 leading up to the game, they will still use the same recycled teams, and they will most likely still draw great ratings. For hardcore fans like me and you the WC has nothing special to it anymore, but I don't think that's its purpose.
- rmdevil313

Good points. It's got to be a bit aggrivating to you as a NJ fan that a storied franchise like the Devils are continually overlooked for the big WC?!! I know the Wild have only been around for little better than a decade, but I wouldn't mind them getting an invite to one either. And that's another thing that bugs me a bit about these other outdoor games, I'm sure the Wild and the Devils will eventually host one of them, though the games will most likely feel like a consolation prize.

Probably no big network or national coverage, no 24/7 or big build up to the game.

Good points. It's got to be a bit aggrivating to you as a NJ fan that a storied franchise like the Devils are continually overlooked for the big WC?!! I know the Wild have only been around for little better than a decade, but I wouldn't mind them getting an invite to one either. And that's another thing that bugs me a bit about these other outdoor games, I'm sure the Wild and the Devils will eventually host one of them, though the games will most likely feel like a consolation prize.

Probably no big network or national coverage, no 24/7 or big build up to the game.
- MnGump

I'll settle for the outdoor game we got and at least players like Marty and Elias will get one before they retire. It was wishful thinking of me to think NBC would really let smaller market teams into the WC. At this point I think its cool that more teams will experience the outdoor games but in reality I will watch the Devils-Rangers, and then maybe Islanders-Rangers and Pitt-Chicago. I'll let 24/7 cover the winter classic for me from here on out.

I'd love to see some incentive for the WC. Maybe presidents trophy winners vs the stanley cup winners. Only problem with that is it seems you need a lot of time to book these things.

honestly who gives a poop about the WC anymore now that there are 242552 outdoor games per season?
- Crimsoninja

The 125,000 that will be on hand to watch the game in Michigan, that's who.

The 125,000 that will be on hand to watch the game in Michigan, that's who.
- isitin

heard this might be moved to January 3rd