The Caps to play the Pens in the 2011 Winter Classic

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Capitals-vs-Penguins-Winter-Classic-set-for-Hei?urn=nhl,244222

I know it's the NHL's attempt to lure the casual fan, but, Jesus, the Pens & the Caps? Bubba will think there are only four teams in the entire league.

Up here, the Habs will play the Flames outside at McMahon Stadium in February.

Lord, it could be like the first outdoor game in Edmonton---minus 35.

 

http://www.weatherbyday.com/pennsylvania/pittsburgh/january-pittsburgh-weather.html

Not giving themselves much room for error.

 

So I"m guessing PNC Park as opposed to Heinz, Yes?

 

Not if the headline says anything about that...

Capitals vs. Penguins Winter Classic set for Heinz Field 2011

 

No way PNC Park would allow it

 

Someone tell the NHL there's 30 teams and their marketing efforts don't have to settle around Crosby and Ovechkin exclusively. If you look, I think there's some other damned good and personable young guys in the final this week (albeit they've also played in a Winter Classic) who are good reps.

Spread these special games around, there's no need for the Pens and Habs to be playing again. How about Dallas-Minnesota somewhere in Minnesota? How about Vancouver with Calgary, or Toronto... especially given the Leafs and Flames' trade history? There are many possibilities... Washington, Ottawa, for example, following the patriotism of the Olympics.

These matchups they picked don't show any creativity.

 

They don't show creativity, but they are safe choices. Crosby and Ovechkin are known big names and will get a good rating.

 

Next: The Sharks against the Thrashers....

 

Yep. The people complaining about the Penguins getting a second Winter Classic before everyone else -- Thrashers-Blue Jackets on New Year's Day! -- aren't the ones the NHL is catering to with this event. Hockey fans will watch regardless. Casual fans are the target.

Non-playoff teams won't do the trick, so right there, knock out 14 teams.

Canadian teams are a non-starter for NBC, too, so knock out three more (three Canadian teams missed the playoffs and were counted in the previous 14).

So now we're down to 13 teams, six of whom already played in the Winter Classic (Pens, Sabres, Blackhawks, Red Wings, Flyers, Bruins). So if you don't want the Penguins in the Winter Classic again because you view them as a retread, there are seven real options ...

Washington
New Jersey
Nashville
Colorado
San Jose
Phoenix
L.A. Kings

... And really, Washington-San Jose is probably the one matchup among those teams that might work for the Winter Classic, that might attract the casual fan. Maybe the Devils, but the way they play might bore casual fans. Maybe Colorado for the venue, but we're still talking about a No. 8 seed there.

 

They might be able to play an outdoor game in Calgary right now.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2010/05/27/calgary-snow-storm-may-rain.html

Although, given Calgary's weather, it'd be a blizzard at the opening face-off and 70 degrees by the time Coach's Corner comes on.

 

And I think RedCanuck's Minnesota-Dallas idea is a great one.