Happy new year, everyone.
The Winter Classic’s been moved back to 8 PM tonight, in case anyone’s unaware.
Crosby has a nine-point lead on Stamkos for the Art Ross, and a one-goal lead on him for the Rocket Richard. Patrick Sharp is next up, but ten goals back of Stamkos.
They could play in good weather tomorrow but I guess they are afraid of losing viewers to the NFL.
And sully the long, proud, and grand tradition of the Winters classic on New years?
Playing in snow is not a big deal, playing in rain is not good at all, the ice surface could be horrible if it’s wet.
In the winter classic, why don’t they move seats closer to the ice? I would have to pay for front row seats and be 200 feet away. There doesn’t seem to be anything going on there, so why not put up temporary seats?
I think the baseball stadiums work better. I love the idea of this game, but I’m glad I’m watching it for free at home.
Winter Classic: more east coast bias.
2008: Buffalo, Pittsburgh in Buffalo
2009: They stretched west all the way to…Chicago, who played Detroit.
2010: Philadelphia at Boston
This year: Washington at Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh again; 2 times in four years).
I realize it’s romantic to play the Winter Classic in the cold, possibly snowy weather, not in Anaheim’s tropical paradise, but can they at least include some west coast road teams in the event, or at least give more east coast teams a shot before scheduling Pittsburgh again?
I heard that Pittsburgh will play themselves in next year’s Winter Classic.
I’m trying to think of some Western cities that would have appropriate climate. Probably Denver or the Twin Cities are the best choices (unless you count Detroit or Columbus as “Western”)
Not unlike the Super Bowl with it’s South Coast bias.
mmm
The issue is the teams, not necessarily the location. I indicated that it would be impractical to play an outdoor hockey game in Southern California, but that shouldn’t preclude its teams from participation.
Okay, then who’s a good team in a warm-weather area that could go to a cold city to play? I assume the NHL doesn’t want a neutral site. This is a serious question, as I don’t know the standings off the top of my head.
But everyone plays indoors in the NHL. Cold weather teams do not have “climate conditioning” advantages over warm weather teams like they might in football. Probably the best “warm weather” team right now, at least talent-wise, is San Jose (point-wise, Vancouver, Dallas, LA). Those teams are just as capable of playing outdoors as Pittsburgh.
I know that everyone plays indoors in the NHL. My point was that if you’re going to play an outdoor game, you’re not going to be doing it in Anaheim or Tampa. My question was twofold:
Is the NHL willing to play a regular-season game at a neutral site and bring in two teams that will give a good matchup?
Assuming the NHL doesn’t want to play their marquee outdoor game at a neutral site, what warm-weather team could go on the road and play a good game? In addition, what cold-weather city could play a good game as the home team?
I mean, there’s a reason that you’re going to see a Patriots-Colts game or an NFC East game on in primetime. Perceived (or real) interest and ratings. I’d expect the same with the thinking here. I’m not a huge hockey fan, but I know Crosby and Ovechkin.
The streak’s in danger!
And is over!
You hit the nail right on the head.
That is the reason it will always be east coast team vs east coast team. Yes, I’ll throw Chicago and Detroit into the “East Coast” for purposes of hockey.
I enjoy watching the Winter Classic, but I know the game will never have the Colorado Avalanche vs the Calgary Flames.
Has anyone heard any speculation on the site or teams for the 2012 Winter Classic?
I know the Penguins were in it in 2008, and hosted this year, but I can’t really blame the NHL. They have two big stars in Crosby and Ovechkin, and want to market them on the biggest stage. The biggest stage that the league controls anyway, since they can’t hand pick the Finals opponents (this isn’t the NBA), and the Caps and Pens are in the same conference anyway.
Before the Pinstripe Bowl was created, Yankee Stadium seemed like the go to location for this year’s Classic. Now with the bowl game, that means Yankee Stadium is more or less off the table for the next 2-3 years, I believe. All because of a third-tier bowl game.
For west coast teams that could participate (probably not host, even though it’s possible) I’ll echo the question of which team? The teams need to have star power. The Sharks have talent, and big names. For casual viewers, I don’t think any west coast teams (other than the Sharks) have the amount of star power as the top teams in the league.
The Flyers and Bruins didn’t have a lot of star power last year, but the venue of Fenway Park was the draw. The Avalanche are a possibility for a “western” team, with the Rocky Mountains shots. Minnesota might be selected, since rain seems unlikely, but Minnesota doesn’t have any big names.
I think there is some sort of broadcasting rule regarding Canadian teams and NBC. For that reason, we’re unlikely to see Canadian teams in the Winter Classic, and that’s why the Heritage Classic is going to continue.
jtgain, the “good” seats (and more expensive seats) at the Winter Classic are actually the ones that are higher up, so you can get a full view of the ice. Even if you’re sitting next to the glass at a hockey game, when the action moves to the other end, it can be hard to see, because of the angles.
My early guess for next will be the New York Rangers vs the Philadelphia Flyers. I think they’ll use the Mets ballpark.