Outdoor Games of the future

[clonzfan]

So I did a little research on outdoor games and found out the following. Eight teams have not participated in an outdoor game: Arizona, Carolina, Columbus, Dallas, Florida, Nashville, Tampa Bay and Vegas. Here is a list of teams that have participated and how many games they played. This included the rest of the games this year and the two games scheduled for next year.
Blackhawks-6
Penguins-5
Canadiens-4
Red Wings-4
Flyers-4
Rangers-4
Bruins-3
Capitals-3
Maple Leafs-3
Oilers-2
Sabres-2
Kings-2
Senators-2
Flames-1
Ducks-1
Devils-1
Islanders-1
Canucks-1
Sharks-1
Wild-1
Avalanche-1
Jets-1
Blues-1
I have three questions:
1) How are these games picked and do teams need to take the lead and request to host them?
2) Are the host teams required to take care of the logistics (the ice surface, leasing the facility, game prep. etc.)
3) What games would you like to see in the future?

My pick for a future game would be for the Columbus Blue Jackets to host at Ohio Stadium. As far as I can tell there has never been an outdoor game in the horseshoe, but games have been played at other large college football fields. As far as an opponent, the Penguins, Blackhawks, or Red Wings would be regional choice, but they all already have several games. I think a great choice would be Nashville, they are not too far from Columbus and also have never been in an outdoor game.

 

[geschrocks33]

Not that I'm complaining of the Sabres being in the Winter Classic again this year, but I think a slam dunk outdoor game would be Sabres/Leafs in Buffalo. The atmosphere for Leafs games here is already crazy with Canada/US diversity in the crowd and it would be insane to put that on a bigger level like a 70,000 fan attendance.

USA/Canada in the World Juniors here should be fun though next week.

 

[sprague11]

I still have nightmares about that game in Buffalo. I like the concept, but I'm more than happy watching them from home from now on. once was enough.

And to the OP - I think Colombus/Nashville at Ohio Stadium would be a lot of fun on the ice. I don't think the NHL really sees either team as much more than a regional draw even with recent successes (though a cup win be either team would change that somewhat).

 

[RGM81]

Interesting stuff. Thanks for posting the numbers!

On the questions...

1) How are these games picked and do teams need to take the lead and request to host them?

Who can make the most money and what's the easiest ones to market? Teams I think can put in the request but it's ultimately up to the NHL to decide.

2) Are the host teams required to take care of the logistics (the ice surface, leasing the facility, game prep. etc.)

NHL takes the lead on that one. It's "their" event, after all.

3) What games would you like to see in the future?

How they haven't done Montreal/Toronto or a Battle of Alberta yet escapes me.

 

[Avalanchefan21]

Panthers vs Lightning Would have to play the game on inline skates... would be cool to see though

 

[Leafsfan1967]

I may be in the minority here, but in my opinion, these outdoor games were cool the first couple times, but I have no interest in them, and I feel they've run their course. Never, in a million years would I attend one, for the obvious reasons that the actual rink itself is too far away from the seats, and two, I wouldn't enjoy freezing my arse off for 3 hours.

Having said that, I understand that there are a lot of people who still enjoy these, but not me. I watched the one a week ago, and there was very little scoring, or enjoyment in it for me. I've had way enough of these, but it is a corporate butt-kissing fest, and cash cow for the NHL, so I guess they will continue to happen, like it, or not?

 

[weasel-king]

I may be in the minority here, but in my opinion, these outdoor games were cool the first couple times, but I have no interest in them, and I feel they've run their course. Never, in a million years would I attend one, for the obvious reasons that the actual rink itself is too far away from the seats, and two, I wouldn't enjoy freezing my arse off for 3 hours.

A little late to the thread, but I feel the layout of these games is, well, silly. They clearly added the lanes and faux-cabs to make the space look bigger (unless it was a play on NYC traffic, which did not work). I had the game on at home and even my wife said "good lord, you would need binoculars no matter where you sat!"

I would love to travel up north to see one of these in person, but until they add seats closer to the ice (I'm in North Carolina), it will be an unfulfilled fantasy. I wonder how expensive the "good" seats are...