There remains "no definitive plan for when Washington will host the Winter Classic or where it will be held in the region," according to Katie Carrera of the WASHINGTON POST. Capitals Owner Ted Leonsis yesterday on his blog noted that the event "is indeed bound for Washington eventually; it just won’t be in 2013." Leonsis wrote, "I have been told that the Winter Classic will NOT be coming to DC next year. ... I have also been assured that because of the size of our fan base -- and the beauty of our city -- that a Winter Classic would come to Washington DC; at some point in the future. And that is good enough for me. Also -- the idea of a game being played on the [National Mall] has been floated around for many years -- it is NOT feasible; there aren’t enough common areas to build out seats" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 1/3). In DC, Stephen Whyno notes the Capitals' future in the Winter Classic "is expected to be 2014 or 2015, a result of the Caps' agreement with the NHL to visit the Pittsburgh Penguins last season." Detroit's Comerica Park "is considered the top choice for next year's event, with a chance that it happens at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor." NHL COO John Collins "brought up Detroit and New York as future sites, but commissioner Gary Bettman wouldn't speculate on talk about going west with the Winter Classic soon." Reports have indicated that the NHL's "promise to the Caps was a Winter Classic by 2014, though that is not official." It would seem to fit into the timeline, though, with a city such as Minneapolis or Denver getting a chance to host the event before New York City, which could have the game at Yankee Stadium once the contract for the Pinstripe Bowl runs out" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 1/4).
RUMOR HAS IT: The CBC's Elliotte Friedman noted it is "widely believed Detroit will be next year's" Winter Classic host. But it will be "curious to see if Toronto is the opponent," as "lots of politics surround that decision." The Capitals "were promised a home event after playing in Pittsburgh last year and are in position to follow Detroit." In '15, Yankee Stadium "frees up and, even though the NHL has looked at other New York-area locations, the Yankees want the NHL and the league wants it there." Friedman: "Consider these cities the American favourites" (CBC.ca, 1/3).
