Red Wings, Blackhawks To Face Of In Wrigley Field Winter Classic

NHL This Week To Announce That Wrigley Field Will Host Next Winter Classic Game

NHLPA Exec Dir Paul Kelly yesterday said that the NHL this week will announce that the next Winter Classic outdoor game will be played on January 1, 2009, and will feature Red Wings-Blackhawks at Wrigley Field, according to Tim Wharnsby (GLOBE & MAIL, 7/8). In Detroit, Ted Kulfan reports NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman last week reportedly met with Blackhawks and Cubs officials and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to "finalize details" for the league's third outdoor game. An announcement will "likely come next weekend during the Blackhawks fan convention" (DETROIT NEWS, 7/8).Washington Post reporter Jason La Canfora said, “Having two North American-based teams in it (last January in Buffalo) really generated some heat, for lack of a better word, for the league, and Gary Bettman and the sponsors obviously see that and hopefully, it’s something they can keep doing year after year” (“Washington Post Live,” CSN, 7/7).

THE 2010 SPOT? In N.Y., John Dellapina reports Bettman, Yankees COO Lonn Trost and N.Y. Mayor Mike Bloomberg recently met to discuss the Rangers hosting a Winter Classic at the new Yankee Stadium, and they "concluded their discussions ... with each pledging their interest" in the event. The game could be held at the new ballpark as early as January 1, 2010 (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/8).