2012 Winter Classic to Change Dates?
samober | Jan 04, 2010 | Comments 25
I love the Winter Classic. There is just something about outdoor hockey that is 10 times better then the indoor version. Going into this year’s game I was kind of expecting a letdown after last year. The old baseball stadium thing had been done before and I really had no rooting interest in the game, after having my favorite team in last year’s. But you know what, this years was better and the best since the 2003 Heritage Classic because for me the first will always be the best, especially when you consider the old-timers game was played too.
In three years the NHL has established itself a foothold on New Year’s Day, what was once thought to be a one sport day. However, the NHL will have a decision to make coming up with the 2012 Winter Classic. You see January 1, 2012 falls on a Sunday and when New Years Day falls on a Sunday college football moves its bowl games to Monday, January 2nd so it does not have to compete against the NFL. So the question is should the NHL follow college football and move the Winter Classic to January 2nd or keep it on New Year’s Day and go head to head against the NFL?
The bowl games move to Monday because college football would not want to lose viewers to the NFL plus the bowl games and the NFL share some of the same TV networks. NBC does not carry any afternoon NFL games so they could still air the Winter Classic and their primetime NFL game. But would NBC want to go up against their partners in the NFL? Or would the NFL put any pressure on NBC not to have the game on New Year’s Day?
If I were in charge on the NHL I would keep the game on New Year’s Day. That is the day people expect it and I think there are plenty of people who are not NFL fans out there who would be looking for something else to watch on New Year’s Day. People said that the NHL was stupid to go up against college football and they did that, so why not take on the NFL for one Sunday. Also, I suspect that the CBC would want to keep the game on New Year’s Day, although in recent history the NHL has not seem to care as much about what CBC wants instead giving in to NBC.
Not having college football to go up against in 2012 would also give the NHL an opportunity to play the Winter Classic in a Big Ten football stadium where the schools and the NHL would not have to risk a chance of that school’s football team playing at the same time. The Big Ten plays two bowl games that currently overlap with the Winter Classic.
So what would you like the NHL to in 2012, move the game to the 2nd or keep it on the 1st?
Filed Under: NHL
Not sure they should take on the NFL. Why not move to Saturday afternoon (New Year’s Eve)…would be a decent alternative IMHO. Big fan of the Classic (attended the 08 Bflo game) but a lot of the NFL/NHL cities would most likely have teams playing at 1pm (with potential playoff possibilities, ie. Bflo, Chi, NE, Det, Pitt, Philly, NYJ/NYG, Car, Wash etc). Enjoyed the post.
I say leave it on New Year’s day. This could be a good challenge to see how far along the Classic and Hockey in general has come along. Most of the 1:00 pm football games are irrelelvant anyways. If it doesn’t draw going against the “Big Boys”, hockey can make the changes when this challenge comes around again.
Keep on the 1st
I believe that weekend would be the last weekend of the regular season. If I recall correctly, the NFL only has afternoon games on the last day of the season, meaning that the NHL could simply move the Winter Classic to a 7pm EST start to avoid any conflict with any NFL games. Perhaps they could even move it a little further out west in 2012 so it could still be an afternoon game (4pm Pacific). How about the Sharks and Kings at either PacBell or Candlestick?
If you go west you have to avoid the coast. The winter classic needs to have a feel of winter. I would say Denver. The Avs are not there yet but may be with 13 million they have in their cap space they could be a true contender next year. Love to see a renewed ravially with the Wings.
The NFL does play on Sunday night the last weekend of the season (this year it was Seattle vs Rams for lousy NFC West title) So no go (especially since it’s the same network in US…NBC)
Why not have it at “THE BIG HOUSE”. University of Michigan football stadium.. Detroit Redwings against either the blackhawks, Toronto, Montreal, or Columbus.
THE BIG HOUSE that’s the ticket I’d fly across the country for. Red Wings and da Hawks. The Hawks have the personalities to build a promo campain around, I’m not sure if they could put up the fight with the Wings. The mismanagement of the cap has devastated the champs. I’d still buy the ticket to freeze my #%^¥ off.
maybe they should play at the twins new stadium wild v. stars. no baseball in January
Just went to the game in PA, was amazing. Up there with the Super Bowl, Trip to Lambeau and World Series games i have done. Everything i hear from NHL people I work with and know is that they really want NYR to play this year. Which sucks, since the morons at Yankee stadium signed up for that crappy Pinstrip bowl. Red Wings Rangers Orig 6 matchup in the Big House is my dream scenario, would be absolutely unreal.
Leave it on the 1st, and let the Avs host it against the Blackhawks at Invesco Field @ Mile High
Leave on the 1st in the afternoon. The Rangers visit the Red Wings at University of Michigan stadium! It will work I’m sure.
I say that they keep it the same day but put it at night so they only have one game to compete with and I also believe thats why there was more viewers this year, because it was at night
Flyers v. I don’t care at the Link!
I vote for Phoenix @ Wild at Target Field.
Phoenix in Winnepeg Jets uniforms, Wild in North Stars uniforms (if that’s legal).
Or any WHA uniform vs NHL uniform would be cool…
Avalanche (Nordiques), Hurricanes (Whalers), Oilers etc.
I think that would be cool!
The Avs & Canucks have built a rivalry between themselves and it is always a good game, that’d be cool to see them play at invesco field @ mile high for the winter classic, with the avs wearing the nordiques jersey. [ or col vs det ]
Also the Rangers ( wearing the statue of liberty jersey ) and the Islanders would be a great game for the classic, battle of the 2 NY teams, to be played at whatever football/baseball stadium is available.
For sure on the 1st. Why not a blues vs. blackhawks at busch stadium
The feel of the Winter Classic is a good point, but let’s not forget the first outdoor game was the Rangers/Kings preseason game in Las Vegas. I think the NHL shouldn’t repeat teams too often. There are three dilemmas regarding the Classic:
-How to introduce the game to the not traditional markets? They’ve done it well, but can do better.
-Can they get a Canadian team involved (like the Maple Leafs) and still get good ratings in the US? I’m excited for a potential Rangers/Leafs match up, but I’m a hockey fan.
-All the participants have been East/Central teams? When can they go west? I agree that seeing the coast may affect the “feel of the Classic”, but San Jose isn’t LA. It can get cold up there.
One minor thoughts:
Can they do one of these games in an indoor stadium (like Cowboy Stadium)?
I’d love to see the Rangers in the Classic, but versus who? The Pens have played in two games already and the Flyers in one. The Devils have collapsed as a competitive team and the Islanders… well…
I’d leave it on the first, since most week 17 games aren’t rated well. Or if the playoffs are under way (which is possible), move it to 8 PM. Not going against the BCS (like this year) will benefit the NHL, going against meaningless bowl games (like the Gator Bowl) is how this idea became a success to begin with. This was a very telling year about the Winter Classic, but every critic has loved the 24/7 series. Now, duplicate it.
I think a good host could be in New Jersey. If the Rangers and the Islanders go at it, it be called a civil war. I also liked about colorado. If the teams in coastal and warm client areas could just play in Colorado or New York????? Also maybe columbus and LA??? The Paul Brown stadium would work. Where do the Minnesota twins play?????
I know this will not go over very well with most fans, however the game of the ages would be Flyers and Pens at Beaver Stadium in Penn State. This was suggested a few years ago. This game would be huge. Of course people would complain about the Flyers and Pens in the Classic again, but Oh Well.
Rumor is Wings-Leafs at the Big House. One of hockey’s greatest rivalries in one of the country’s best stadiums!
stay on the 1st who cares what the NFL says keep the traditon w/ the 1st
Do it at the Big House,more fans.The Big Chill was awesome and the Big House if perfect,the field is below ground which makes great sight lines.and GO BLUE
Leave it on 1st,real fans will watch and or go.
I like it! You migh also wanna try car wash at your workplace. Car Wash Lavacar.ca is a company that comes directly to your business and cleans your car. It is a car wash but at your business, its pretty cool.I like your post a lot!