Winter Classic Jan. 1, 2008

[Hank 0]

The top 10 markets to tune:

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/02/...-sacramento-re/

Top Ten Metered Markets:

1. Buffalo 38.2/58

2. Pittsburgh 17.7/30

3. Minneapolis 5.1/11

4. Denver 3.7/7

T5. Providence 3.5/7

T5. Las Vegas 3.5/6

7. St. Louis 3.3/5

8. Boston 3.2/6

9. Sacramento 2.9/6

T10. Richmond 2.8/5

T10. Hartford 2.8/5

Detroit is nowhere to be found. I know that Michigan was playing in a bowl game, but I don't see how that should be an excuse when Sacremento and freaking VEGAS beat us out.

Thoughts?

[vangvace 12]

The top 10 markets to tune:

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/02/...-sacramento-re/

Detroit is nowhere to be found. I know that Michigan was playing in a bowl game, but I don't see how that should be an excuse when Sacremento and freaking VEGAS beat us out.

Thoughts?

Because Detroit's no longer a hockeytown, duh Sacremento and Vegas in the next round of expansion! Or maybe bring back the Whale! Sheesh talk about your non-hockey markets. You must be out of your mind.

OK done channeling Bettman

In related rumors: the two NY teams are looking into playing a game in old Yankee Stadium

Edited January 3, 2008 by vangvace

[union drone 0]

i still think the Wings need to play either Chicago or Toronto @ the Big House in Ann Arbor and have 110,000+ fans watch!

I agree that if it's in Detriot, it should be against either Chicago or Toronto. We need to play someone who is close enough for visiting team fans to show up, and someone good enough (or rival enough) to be of interest. TO and Chi-town are the only good options, IMHO.

I am not so keen on playing in Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is not Detroit. They should play in Comerica Park.

[Hank 0]

I agree that if it's in Detriot, it should be against either Chicago or Toronto. We need to play someone who is close enough for visiting team fans to show up, and someone good enough (or rival enough) to be of interest. TO and Chi-town are the only good options, IMHO.

I am not so keen on playing in Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is not Detroit. They should play in Comerica Park.

Toronto fans would account for 60,000 of those fans. There's a huge section of Leaf Nation in southwestern Ontario. From Windsor to London, there's at least 500,000 fans that would scrounge for tickets.

[JayUp88 1]

Toronto fans would account for 60,000 of those fans. There's a huge section of Leaf Nation in southwestern Ontario. From Windsor to London, there's at least 500,000 fans that would scrounge for tickets.

Very true

[betterREDthandead 58]

The top 10 markets to tune:

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/02/...-sacramento-re/

Detroit is nowhere to be found. I know that Michigan was playing in a bowl game, but I don't see how that should be an excuse when Sacremento and freaking VEGAS beat us out.

Thoughts?

All the reason you need right there.

They really should do this Winter Classic every year. The NHL need not be worried that it's going to get old and stale if they rotate it. Off the top of my head I can think of 12 workable locations. Maybe 14.

[BlakChamber 8]

I am not so keen on playing in Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is not Detroit. They should play in Comerica Park.

The Red Wings explored the possibility of hosting an outdoor game at Comerica Park a few years ago but came to the conclusion that it would be too costly and that the stadium's seating configuration wouldn't be optimal for fans. An outdoor game would have to be held at Michigan Stadium or Spartan Stadium, which hosted the 2001 "Cold War" between Michigan and Michigan State.

I would think that the only real place to do an outdoor game would be Michigan Stadium. Spartan Stadium has gone from astroturf (which they had at the time of the Cold War) to natural grass.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

How about an outdooor game in Florida each year between the Lightning and Panthers. They could have girls roller skating around the rink in bikinis during the time it takes to attend to the ice. Knowing Bettman's incredible marketing skills, I'm sure he could sell the idea.

[auxlepli 17]

According to the overnight ESPN show yesterday morning Hrdek said the NHL went to Boston and New York to host an outdoor game this year, but neither was feasible. Fenway because work is done on the field in winter, and Yankee Stadium because of a poor infrastructure.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

The top 10 markets to tune:

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/02/...-sacramento-re/

Detroit is nowhere to be found. I know that Michigan was playing in a bowl game, but I don't see how that should be an excuse when Sacremento and freaking VEGAS beat us out.

Thoughts?

Michigan bowl game on the same day hurts the rating a little bit. However this doesn't take anything away from Detroit and Michigan being a major hockey market, so this is nothing to cry over spilled milk about.

But if markets that are probably perceived to not be as well-known in Sacramento and Las Vegas yielding high ratings, there's nothing wrong with that at all, means it might get more people interested in the game.

[RedFX 48]

According to the overnight ESPN show yesterday morning Hrdek said the NHL went to Boston and New York to host an outdoor game this year, but neither was feasible. Fenway because work is done on the field in winter, and Yankee Stadium because of a poor infrastructure.

I would personally love to see an all original six matchup. The classic is supposed to be about hockey going back to its roots, so put up an old-time NHL rivalry on the main-stage. I'd love to see us play either Chicago or Toronto.

The problem with hosting a game in Detroit is where to play. The Lions play indoors and Tiger Stadium is getting torn down. Maybe Comerica, but MLB teams are very sensitive about activities in their stadium, as they have concerns about field damage and maintainance (probably why Boston couldn't get it done), plus lack seating might be a concern. I'd love to see a hockey game at the Big House, but getting it straightened out between the NHL and the University might be tricky. And Like someone said, Ann Arbor is not Detroit.

[RedFX 48]

Michigan bowl game on the same day hurts the rating a little bit. However this doesn't take anything away from Detroit and Michigan being a major hockey market, so this is nothing to cry over spilled milk about.

But if markets that are probably perceived to not be as well-known in Sacramento and Las Vegas yielding high ratings, there's nothing wrong with that at all, means it might get more people interested in the game.

Yeah, I can't wait to here SI start talking about how the Wings should move to Vegas because 'its a better market for hockey'.

Bottom line, UM hurt the Detroit ratings. But on a whole, hockey fan should be happy at how this turned out. Highest US-rated TV game since the 2001 finals and highest rated regular season game since 1996. Events like these really raise awareness for the sport and hopefully this will attract in a new generation of fans.

[union drone 0]

Toronto fans would account for 60,000 of those fans. There's a huge section of Leaf Nation in southwestern Ontario. From Windsor to London, there's at least 500,000 fans that would scrounge for tickets.

...which is exactly why Toronto would be an excellent choice. Imagine either UofM stadium or Comerica filled to capacity (and then some) with a 50/50 mix of screaming fans of rival teams. Obviously the goal of the outdoor classic is to be a major ticket sales event and big ratings success. If the NHL is smart, they will use geography and rivalry to full advantage.

...not that we can count on the NHL to be smart.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

I used to HATE Emrick and I've only started to "tolerate" him a little recently. He's not even half as good as many of the local teams (Daniels/Redmond included), and I liked both of ESPN's teams (Thorne/Clement and Dave Strader) better back when they were doing games.

Emrick's knowledge of the game seems alright, but his timing is terrible and he is prone to those nonsensical rants you were referring to. He gets caught up in a conversation and then notices a goal has been scored 2-4 seconds after you see it on TV, and then he tries to cover with a "Whoooooaaaa! Scores!"

Exactly! Your goal example is dead on. He'll be ranting about something a player did as a kid or whatnot, like for example:

"Dan Cleary used to skate on the pond near his house for 4 hours every day, (*unacknowledged 2 on 1 rush*) his dad credits this (*puck goes in net*) for his skating abil...ITS IN! SCOOOOOOOOOORES!!!!!!!!!!"

Edited January 5, 2008 by Lou_Siffer

[auxlepli 17]

Awesome article by Bruce MacLeod about the Winter Classic.

"But don't you think it was stupid of the NHL to play on New Year's Day?" I asked. "Wouldn't it have been better on Monday or Wednesday?"

"It wasn't about that. NBC lost the Gator Bowl. They wanted this for New Year's Day and New Year's Day only. They weren't going to show this game any other day. It was NBC, not the NHL."