Wild Owner Says Team Has Held Winter Classic Talks With NHL

Leipold Says Wild Have Pitched Winter Classic Location To NHL

Wild Owner Craig Leipold said the team has had "conversations with the league" about hosting the Winter Classic, according to Michael Russo of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Leipold: "We think we have a very compelling presentation to the league about why we would be a great market to have it. They're highly interested." Leipold said the Wild "have a location that we have pitched to them," and Russo noted "all indications are it's TCF Bank Stadium." Leipold said, "I think we're compelling because pond hockey is where Minnesota hockey's roots are." Leipold: "To play outdoors and have other outdoor games (statewide) is a storyline that we want to present to the league." Meanwhile, Leipold said the Wild have "made a formal presentation" to host the '11 NHL Draft. Leipold: "We believe there's a very high possibility that we will get it. If we don't get that, we'll go for the '12 draft." Leipold also said the league is "interested in" the Wild opening their season in Europe next year. Leipold: "We have indicated an interest of going overseas." But Leipold added, "We haven't had any really strong, direct dialogue with them about this. It raises the big question: Is it good for the team?" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/14).

ALL GOOD THINGS MUST END: The STAR TRIBUNE's Russo noted "thanks to the downtrodden economy, the Wild missing the playoffs last year, not advancing past the first round since 2003 and the slow start" this season, the team is "finding challenges selling tickets for the first time." The Wild have "sold out the first 10 home games, including the preseason, and still has its league-high 375-game sellout streak intact." But Leipold said there are "some games coming up, like Phoenix on Wednesday, that give us a lot of concern." Leipold: "You know what, we've had over 360 consecutive sellouts. We know this thing is going to end. And when it does, we're going to miss it by probably 300 to 400. And then we're going to have more sellouts immediately afterward" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/15).