Let me take you back in time to January 1, 2008 to the first Winter Classic taken place in Ralph Wilson Stadium in Bufallo.
The whole game was just a crazy spectacle as the hockey world watched, mouth agape, as two teams battled it out on the slushy ice. And of course who could forget the way it ended, a moment so incredible, even a Philadelphia fan gets goosebumps from it.
This moment was essentially the epitome of what the Winter Classic represented. One game where we can all watch and appreciate where hockey came from and the continuously growing league that we have. The NHL's premiere star, Sidney Crosby, was the centre of attention at the biggest moment. Although it was just the beginning, Sidney Crosby would have many more memories of outdoor games to come (or...maybe he might have some trouble remembering them)
The Winter Classics in the following years showcased different cool matchups and nice storylines. The games continued to give us cool venues for a hockey game and created a lot of buzz for hockey every year around New Years time. It was a time when hockey was as close to the centre of attention as it would be every year.
Last year was the first year where the views dropped down a bit. I broke it down here but essentially contributed it to the fact that it could be getting old. With a Winter Classic every year, now with the Heritage Classic also, we had a cool rivalry but the game lacked a cool storyline or good gameplay.
Well everyone, it's time to purchase a new winter coat and invest in some new ski caps. The NHL just announced there will be 6 outdoor games this coming year.
And I hate them for it.
Maple Leafs at Red Wings at The Big House, Jan. 1
Ducks vs. Kings at Dodger Stadium, Jan. 25
Rangers at Devils at Yankee Stadium, Jan. 26
Islanders vs. Rangers at Yankee Stadium, Jan 29
Penguins at Blackhawks, Soldier Field, March 1
Senators at Canucks, BC Place, March 2
For the sake of making it easier for the reader to follow, let me list why this is an awful idea.
So without further ado, here are the 8 reasons why I find this idea disastrous.
1) Novelty is Wearing Off
Much like the shootout, the Winter Classic is starting to lose it's shine. As we saw with the last Winter Classic, views are already beginning to decline. It almost seems like the glow surrounding the event is slowly becoming dull. We've seen snow, we've seen overtime finishes, and we've seen shootouts. We've seen close games and we've seen blowouts. It's almost like there's not much more fans want to see. Adding another 6 games to the list will only soften the jovial and exciting atmosphere that annually surrounds the event.
Imagine the Winter Classic is like a visit to Grandma's house. You show up, she gives you hugs, kisses, and money. You leave and you think to yourself, "Wow! Grandma's house is the best!"
Now imagine staying at your Grandma's house for a week. You can't ruin the carpet, you get chastised for coming back late, and you can no longer take her elderly kisses. You'll want to get the hell out of there pretty fast.
That's what the NHL is doing. We're going to be seeing a lot of things about the Winter Classic we wish didn't exist.
2) Toronto vs. Detroit?
With all these other games taking place, nobody is realizing the fact that original Winter Classic is still taking place. This game was highly anticipated but now it is being overshadowed by all the other matchups taking place and will most likely avoid the spotlight now, although it's still technically the "Winter Classic"
3) What do we do With 24/7?
Now that there are 6 games, which teams do the cameras follow? The hit TV show might roll along with the two Winter Classic opponents as anticipated but who would watch a show about the leadup to this seemingly meaningless outdoor game now that there are other games that are going to be more interesting?
4) We Can Only Take So Many Weeks of Stories About Ice Conditions
Yes, a tradition as strong as the Winter Classic itself. It seems the weeks leading up to the Winter Classic always bring in stories about the weather for the big game and if the ice will hold up or not. Every year I just shake my head about this unnecessary news items.
Now imagine those articles times 6.
5) There Will Be Bad Ice Conditions Anyway
With all the weeks of speculation and updated weather scanners, the ice is crappy no matter what. The made-famous-by-the-Winter-Classic ice guru, Dan Craig, cannot possibly work his magic to perfection on 6 outdoor rinks, including the one they're planning in LA. He's going to have his work cut out for him but it almost seems that the ice surface will suffer due to the high demand this year.
6) The Games Will Be Sloppy
It's simple math. If the ice is in crappy conditions, the gameplay will be in crappy conditions (am I right, Rangers fans?). We saw it in the first Winter Classic in Bufallo when it was snowing. NHL hockey and bad weather conditions and poor ice quality does not equate to good hockey. It may be a spectacle but it won't be good hockey.
7) There are Still Two Points on the Line
In perhaps the most cliche' and overused Winter Classic quote, these are still regular season games that count toward the playoffs. So imagine losing two points because of bad ice conditions and a different form of game. This was a manageable issue if there was just to be one loser but now that there are going to be several teams losing points from these games it seems unfair.
8) Who Cares About Hockey During Super Bowl Time?
The NFL playoffs wind down and turn into the Super Bowl in the midst of this outdoor NHL tour. So do you think ESPN will truthfully cover these games while there are more important stuff to talk about? There's no way the NHL will be able to compete with that.
9) New York Rangers Are Playing Two Games
Yes, if two of the three (Devils, Rangers, Islanders) New York area teams played against each other, we'd obviously infuriate the third. Well I don't quite see how the solution is giving the Rangers two games. They've already had the spotlight in last year's game yet they're still given two more this coming season. (Just as a side note, it's a sin there isn't going to be a Rangers-Bruins game in Yankee Stadium). It's ironic that the Ranger fans claimed that the sole reason for the penalty shot call in last year's WC was because NHL was desperate for big views and drama yet that's the only reason they're being in 2 more a year later. Also, why would the NHL have New York host TWO games during Super Bowl week when the Super Bowl is right next door in New Jersey??? It seems crazy that they're going to possibly try to compete with that. The attention in that area will be nowhere near hockey as the East Coast will finally be hosting a Super Bowl
10) The Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers Lead the League
Yes, I just let out my frustration in the Rangers double appearance this year but this is pointing out that the NHL isn't doing such a good job at hiding the fact that they're playing favourites. The Penguins have the starpower to bring in the views while the Rangers play in the centre of the sporting world. But that doesn't mean they are allowed to force them into every outdoor game available. I'm not saying the NYR-NYI, NYR-NJ, and PIT-CHI games will be dazzling. I'm just saying it's overkill and it's time to spread the wealth.
11) Let's Get Others Involved
The NHL stated that one of the reasons that they are doing this is to get more teams involved in outdoor games. Every team wants the attention and spotlight for a game and several markets have been upset getting snubbed year after year. So if the NHL wants to get more teams involved, why are there only going to be two out of the six outdoor games next season in which neither team has had an outdoor game yet? Teams like Minnesota, St. Louis, and Colorado have shown a desire to host games in the winter yet they are being shunned five times over this year.
So once again, the NHL goes out and shows the world that they're just trying to figure this thing out as they go along, something that's almost evident since 2006.
The whole game was just a crazy spectacle as the hockey world watched, mouth agape, as two teams battled it out on the slushy ice. And of course who could forget the way it ended, a moment so incredible, even a Philadelphia fan gets goosebumps from it.
The Winter Classics in the following years showcased different cool matchups and nice storylines. The games continued to give us cool venues for a hockey game and created a lot of buzz for hockey every year around New Years time. It was a time when hockey was as close to the centre of attention as it would be every year.
Last year was the first year where the views dropped down a bit. I broke it down here but essentially contributed it to the fact that it could be getting old. With a Winter Classic every year, now with the Heritage Classic also, we had a cool rivalry but the game lacked a cool storyline or good gameplay.
Well everyone, it's time to purchase a new winter coat and invest in some new ski caps. The NHL just announced there will be 6 outdoor games this coming year.
And I hate them for it.
Maple Leafs at Red Wings at The Big House, Jan. 1
Ducks vs. Kings at Dodger Stadium, Jan. 25
Rangers at Devils at Yankee Stadium, Jan. 26
Islanders vs. Rangers at Yankee Stadium, Jan 29
Penguins at Blackhawks, Soldier Field, March 1
Senators at Canucks, BC Place, March 2
For the sake of making it easier for the reader to follow, let me list why this is an awful idea.
So without further ado, here are the 8 reasons why I find this idea disastrous.
1) Novelty is Wearing Off
Much like the shootout, the Winter Classic is starting to lose it's shine. As we saw with the last Winter Classic, views are already beginning to decline. It almost seems like the glow surrounding the event is slowly becoming dull. We've seen snow, we've seen overtime finishes, and we've seen shootouts. We've seen close games and we've seen blowouts. It's almost like there's not much more fans want to see. Adding another 6 games to the list will only soften the jovial and exciting atmosphere that annually surrounds the event.
Imagine the Winter Classic is like a visit to Grandma's house. You show up, she gives you hugs, kisses, and money. You leave and you think to yourself, "Wow! Grandma's house is the best!"
Now imagine staying at your Grandma's house for a week. You can't ruin the carpet, you get chastised for coming back late, and you can no longer take her elderly kisses. You'll want to get the hell out of there pretty fast.
That's what the NHL is doing. We're going to be seeing a lot of things about the Winter Classic we wish didn't exist.
2) Toronto vs. Detroit?
With all these other games taking place, nobody is realizing the fact that original Winter Classic is still taking place. This game was highly anticipated but now it is being overshadowed by all the other matchups taking place and will most likely avoid the spotlight now, although it's still technically the "Winter Classic"
3) What do we do With 24/7?
Now that there are 6 games, which teams do the cameras follow? The hit TV show might roll along with the two Winter Classic opponents as anticipated but who would watch a show about the leadup to this seemingly meaningless outdoor game now that there are other games that are going to be more interesting?
4) We Can Only Take So Many Weeks of Stories About Ice Conditions
Yes, a tradition as strong as the Winter Classic itself. It seems the weeks leading up to the Winter Classic always bring in stories about the weather for the big game and if the ice will hold up or not. Every year I just shake my head about this unnecessary news items.
Now imagine those articles times 6.
5) There Will Be Bad Ice Conditions Anyway
With all the weeks of speculation and updated weather scanners, the ice is crappy no matter what. The made-famous-by-the-Winter-Classic ice guru, Dan Craig, cannot possibly work his magic to perfection on 6 outdoor rinks, including the one they're planning in LA. He's going to have his work cut out for him but it almost seems that the ice surface will suffer due to the high demand this year.
6) The Games Will Be Sloppy
It's simple math. If the ice is in crappy conditions, the gameplay will be in crappy conditions (am I right, Rangers fans?). We saw it in the first Winter Classic in Bufallo when it was snowing. NHL hockey and bad weather conditions and poor ice quality does not equate to good hockey. It may be a spectacle but it won't be good hockey.
7) There are Still Two Points on the Line
In perhaps the most cliche' and overused Winter Classic quote, these are still regular season games that count toward the playoffs. So imagine losing two points because of bad ice conditions and a different form of game. This was a manageable issue if there was just to be one loser but now that there are going to be several teams losing points from these games it seems unfair.
8) Who Cares About Hockey During Super Bowl Time?
The NFL playoffs wind down and turn into the Super Bowl in the midst of this outdoor NHL tour. So do you think ESPN will truthfully cover these games while there are more important stuff to talk about? There's no way the NHL will be able to compete with that.
9) New York Rangers Are Playing Two Games
Yes, if two of the three (Devils, Rangers, Islanders) New York area teams played against each other, we'd obviously infuriate the third. Well I don't quite see how the solution is giving the Rangers two games. They've already had the spotlight in last year's game yet they're still given two more this coming season. (Just as a side note, it's a sin there isn't going to be a Rangers-Bruins game in Yankee Stadium). It's ironic that the Ranger fans claimed that the sole reason for the penalty shot call in last year's WC was because NHL was desperate for big views and drama yet that's the only reason they're being in 2 more a year later. Also, why would the NHL have New York host TWO games during Super Bowl week when the Super Bowl is right next door in New Jersey??? It seems crazy that they're going to possibly try to compete with that. The attention in that area will be nowhere near hockey as the East Coast will finally be hosting a Super Bowl
10) The Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers Lead the League
Yes, I just let out my frustration in the Rangers double appearance this year but this is pointing out that the NHL isn't doing such a good job at hiding the fact that they're playing favourites. The Penguins have the starpower to bring in the views while the Rangers play in the centre of the sporting world. But that doesn't mean they are allowed to force them into every outdoor game available. I'm not saying the NYR-NYI, NYR-NJ, and PIT-CHI games will be dazzling. I'm just saying it's overkill and it's time to spread the wealth.
11) Let's Get Others Involved
The NHL stated that one of the reasons that they are doing this is to get more teams involved in outdoor games. Every team wants the attention and spotlight for a game and several markets have been upset getting snubbed year after year. So if the NHL wants to get more teams involved, why are there only going to be two out of the six outdoor games next season in which neither team has had an outdoor game yet? Teams like Minnesota, St. Louis, and Colorado have shown a desire to host games in the winter yet they are being shunned five times over this year.
So once again, the NHL goes out and shows the world that they're just trying to figure this thing out as they go along, something that's almost evident since 2006.
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