Report: NHL to have 5 outdoor games in 2014-15.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

My thoughts nearly too. It's absolute S*** that they keep recycling the same teams. They could have had the Lightning and marketed it as Stamkos/Ovechkin but no. They've gone with the Hawks who have no rivalry or any intrigue with the Caps. Not even in the same damn conference!

I'm sure NBC can do one of their "famous" rivalry nights and create another fake rivalry between Ovechkin/Kane/Toews.

But like others have said this event has so run it's course it's not even funny and they certainly won't top last year. What the hell have the caps done to deserve another one and seriously the Blackhawks again? How about the Bolts versus Avs Stamkos versus MacKinnon, Duchene would have been an interesting one and the Bolts deserve to be in there.

If the league wants to create something thrilling and exciting again they should have gone with Boston -- Montreal or Montreal - Toronto.

Edited June 20, 2014 by frankgrimes

[turbowhistle86 155]

As long as Ovie goes "Shea Weber" on Kane's face, I don't care what happens in this year's WC......and neither will anyone else.

[Wings4Life19 150]

I still like the idea to stop selecting a hand full of teams to play in these outdoor games and just make the All-Star game the only one.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

I still like the idea to stop selecting a hand full of teams to play in these outdoor games and just make the All-Star game the only one.

What the NHL should be doing is really simple: unite the ASG with the WC and choose different cities. The event itself clearly has run it's course and from reading the Blackhawks forum even they aren't that thrilled about it but yet the NHL doesn't get it.

[Echolalia 2,961]

People seem to have a misconception that the Commissioner's only job is just to make a crapload of money for ownership. It's not. It's also to protect the integrity of the game and uphold public confidence in the league.

By that measure Bettman has done a terrible job.

I would disagree with this. As long as the owners are happy, then Bettman is doing his job. Oftentimes the good of the game leads to better sales and more profit, so typically the integrity of the game etc etc is correlated with cash flow, and for those instances Bettman has done well (ie marketing, partnering with NBC instead of ESPN, etc). But if integrity of the game and upholding the public view or whatever else comes in conflict with extra $$$, the owners are leaning on the side of $$$, and it would behoove Bettman to follow suit. That's why we will continue to see a push into non traditional markets to try to reach out to an untapped fanbase, and more outdoor games even if it means whoring off what it really means to play hockey outside.

And the end of the day, I don't think anyone who has any real power is handing out checks to him (or even cares) for protecting the integrity of the game or upholding the public confidence in the league, so long as money is flowing.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Now NBC knows when to start their coverage.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

From NHL:

Outdoor hockey is returning to California for a second straight season, the National Hockey League announced Wednesday. This season's game features two teams that have become quite familiar with each other in recent years.

The San Jose Sharks will be the home team against the Los Angeles Kings at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 21, 2015 at 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET) as part of the 2015 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series. The game will be broadcast by NBCSN and Hockey Night in Canada.

No two teams in the NHL have played against each other more than the Sharks and Kings have since the start of the 2010-11 season. They have played 41 games, including the Stanley Cup Playoffs, in the past three seasons, highlighted by seven-game series in each of the past two postseasons.

Aw sum.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

From NHL:

Aw sum.

Break out the beach balls!!

[puckloo39 5,686]

Outdoor games have jumped the shark. Literally.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

The funny thing is I don#t even care about the WC anymore and now they are continuing their stadium series...

I guess ballhockey during NHL season is their cashcow now...

[rrasco 1,312]

Yeah, pretty much run its course. I went to the WC last year, because it was the Wings and I said if there was ever one in Michigan I'd go, but if they had another I don't think I'd consider going.

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

Now that I've been to a WC (SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY), I can officially declare that I couldn't possibly care less about their stoopid outdoor games.

[number9 3,297]

NHL sold out on this one a long time ago

[Guest DeGraa55]

I think it's a great idea and obviously fans of these teams do to. They deserve to get to experience it as well.

[number9 3,297]

I think it's a great idea and obviously fans of these teams do to. They deserve to get to experience it as well.

The fact that we were scheduled to have 2 WC's within 5 years of each other makes it lose its luster for me. When they first started I was like whoa best idea ever, so happy to be in one. Then it was like YEAH one in Michigan! Then, before the later even happened, it was like so every team is gonna do this every couple years and it's not special. It's cool yeah but I'd rather it be something special and exclusive that teams do every 30 years. Something like 1 WC each year and no dumb stadium stupids.

[Guest DeGraa55]

The fact that we were scheduled to have 2 WC's within 5 years of each other makes it lose its luster for me. When they first started I was like whoa best idea ever, so happy to be in one. Then it was like YEAH one in Michigan! Then, before the later even happened, it was like so every team is gonna do this every couple years and it's not special. It's cool yeah but I'd rather it be something special and exclusive that teams do every 30 years. Something like 1 WC each year and no dumb stadium stupids.

That's fine but from an business standpoint if they're making money. By having them in NBC and selling out the stadium. Why would the NHL not do it? At the end of the day it helps the teams and it helps the league. Now do they overdue it? Sure I agree with that. But while they continue to make money on them it's a terrible decision to stop having them.

[number9 3,297]

That's fine but from an business standpoint if they're making money. By having them in NBC and selling out the stadium. Why would the NHL not do it? At the end of the day it helps the teams and it helps the league. Now do they overdue it? Sure I agree with that. But while they continue to make money on them it's a terrible decision to stop having them.

I think in the short term they are, yes, going to make a lot of money. But they're destroying the novelty of the whole shabang by having so many so often, which is what made it cool and special to me. They managed to make the scheme dull for a lot of fans within an 8 year period. Whereas if they had show some restraint they probably could have kept me interested for decades.

[vladdy16 2,154]

I think in the short term they are, yes, going to make a lot of money. But they're destroying the novelty of the whole shabang by having so many so often, which is what made it cool and special to me. They managed to make the scheme dull for a lot of fans within an 8 year period. Whereas if they had show some restraint they probably could have kept me interested for decades.

This is it for me as well. It's nothing but a money grab right now, which is fine for right now, but I think they're losing money in the long run by overdoing it. LA and Sharks elicits a big yawn from me for an outdoor game at this point.

[wings4thecup06 504]

This is it for me as well. It's nothing but a money grab right now, which is fine for right now, but I think they're losing money in the long run by overdoing it. LA and Sharks elicits a big yawn from me for an outdoor game at this point.

I've got to say that I agree also. The stadium series last year was just a money grabbing gimmick that completely destroyed the legitimacy of the winter classic.

But even now the WC is getting devalued itself I feel by the constant rotation of only a few teams. Look at this years game. Chicago vs Washington. That isn't a rivalry whatsoever. They're not even in the same conference. WTF? It's about time they started having WC games in new venues with new teams. See Minnesota.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

This is it for me as well. It's nothing but a money grab right now, which is fine for right now, but I think they're losing money in the long run by overdoing it. LA and Sharks elicits a big yawn from me for an outdoor game at this point.

Exactly the NHL had something unique and nice going and in typical manner they've destroyed it in 8 ! years. This thing could have gone on for decades unbelievable. LA and the Hawks have been involved last year, not even their fans are excited for this. Washington versus Chicago ? That's not even a rivalry it's nothing .

I thought the NHL wouldn't be stupid enough to ruin the WC after they've ruined the Allstar game should have known better...sad because a few years ago I've loved the event.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

Face it, it's all about the money.

[Guest DeGraa55]

I wih they'd set something up like KHL all stars verse NHL all stars for the all star game.

Or khl all stars or champion verse the nhl champion.

[number9 3,297]

I wih they'd set something up like KHL all stars verse NHL all stars for the all star game.

Or khl all stars or champion verse the nhl champion.

That would be cool

I just doubt the KHL would agree to it because we would embarrass their league. Russia generally produces lackluster D-men and goalies.

[Guest DeGraa55]

That would be cool

I just doubt the KHL would agree to it because we would embarrass their league. Russia generally produces lackluster D-men and goalies.

Ya it might be more fair to have khl all stars verse nhl champion.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

pfft

What the hell do you know Harold?

Don't ya know?......Moar is bettah!!!

Friend of mine who isn't into hockey asked me about the differences between the Winter Classic and Stadium series I told her one is a cash grab and the Stadium Series is a smaller cash grab, her response was so it's basically like euro and worldcups in soccer. Loved that response because it fits perfectly.

Are the players required to do the 24/7 or can they deny access to their homes ?

Edited August 13, 2014 by frankgrimes