As for "recycling teams," there will have been four years between the Wings` two WC appearances, and 2013 will mark the first time that a Canadian team has partaken in it.
That's just spin. I'm not really focusing on the Wings, just the constant appearance of the same teams over the past few years.
In each game after the first two, there has been one new team and one team that has been recycled.
Also, note that the nature of the event is such that small-market teams are disqualified. The Winter Classic is a prestige event for the NHL, and it's meant to draw a lot of viewers. The number of people who care about such teams as Dallas, Phoenix, Florida, Carolina etc. is vastly smaller than the group that will turn out to watch New York, Detroit, Boston etc. on TV. It is also necessary that the teams participating have been at least moderately successful over the prior seasons.
I am well aware of that. And it makes sense. I've made that comment before.
The Blues do have a decent following and traditionally get very good ratings when on national television.
The success part has alluded them in previous seasons, but it seems they have the ship righted...finally. This was supposed to happen last year, but better late than never.
That said, I know that your rant reflects two things: one, your wish that the Blues would get the opportunity to participate in a WC; and two, your inferiority complex with respect to the Red Wings, established over the last 15 years of watching the Red Wings be vastly more successful and vastly more touted than your team.
First, I do not have an inferiority complex towards the Wings. It's simply a sports rivalry-hatred kind of thing. Don't read too much into it. And that has nothing to do with my rant on the Winter Classic. It's all about recycling teams so quickly. Obviously Detroit deserves to be in it...I was surprised they didn't get in the first one, but whatever. But being in it twice in four years? Come on. It's annoying.
Second... I don't have a second.
If the Blues manage to take their success thus far this season and continue it for a couple more seasons, and if they manage to do well in the playoffs, then perhaps you'll see them get one.
My thoughts exactly.
Fans of southwestern and pacific teams will likely never see a Winter Classic, for obvious reasons.
I wouldn't say that. I can easily see San Jose or LA getting in.
