The NHL hit home runs with its Winter Classics at Wrigley Field and
Fenway Park. And the Penguins' shootout win in the Buffalo snow was
pretty amazing as well. But now what? We have a few ideas on where
the NHL should play next year's Classic — some more serious
than others.
New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils, Meadowlands
Stadium. It's time for the NHL to go back to football
stadiums, and what better place to start than the new Meadowlands
Stadium in Jersey? And unlike the old baseball parks the NHL has
favored the past two years, this place will be shiny and new ...
aside from whatever damage the New York Giants and Jets fans
inflict on it.
Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars, Target Field.
Speaking of new stadiums, the Twins' new home may be the perfect
place for Minnesota fans to cheer on the Wild — and take out
their anger on the Stars, who left them in 1993 for Texas.
Washington Capitals vs. TBD, FedEX Field. We don't
care who plays the Capitals. We just want to see Alex Ovechkin in a
Winter Classic. Sid the Kid had his moment to shine in the first
Classic, and it's time for Alex the Great to get his chance.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens, Rogers
Centre. Most hockey players in the NHL are Canadian. Most
of them started out playing on the frozen ponds and lakes of
Canada. So why not take the Winter Classic back to where it all
started? Sure, the television ratings in the U.S. won't be that
great, but who cares? It's time to get at least one Canadian team
in the Winter Classic.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles
Coliseum. While the Rose Bowl hosts one of the biggest
college bowl games across town, Gary Bettman can prove hockey can
survive in warm climates by hosting the Winter Classic in
California. Of course, he'll also have to prove an outdoor ice rink
can survive in sunny Southern California. But if the NHL ice guys
can make it work, the league can pack L.A.'s Coliseum.
Atlanta Thrashers vs. Nashville Predators, Georgia
Dome. And if the NHL's ice guys can make a rink work in
California, they can make it work in Georgia, too. To actually make
it interesting for the casual fan, the loser gets kicked out of the
NHL.
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Colorado Avalanche, Canad Inns
Stadium. The former Winnipeg Jets and the former Quebec
Nordiques would be the perfect match for a game at the home of the
CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In order to make up for the league's
sending teams south of the border, the loser has to stay in Canada
and become Winnipeg's new NHL organization.
