NHL COO John Collins and Senior VP/Events & Entertainment Don Renzulli were in L.A. last week "to talk with Kings executives about possibly staging an outdoor game in the city next year," according to Helene Elliott of the L.A. TIMES. The league's "portable rink and refrigeration equipment can be set up in a warm climate," but Commissioner Gary Bettman has "rejected the idea because he prefers an atmosphere of wintry charm." Other NHL execs are "open to the idea of playing amid palm trees, believing the novelty would ignite interest for the teams, the area and grass-roots growth." Dodger Stadium is the "likely site," but the Rose Bowl and L.A. Memorial Coliseum "could figure in." The game would be played "just before the NHL breaks for the Winter Olympics, assuming NHL players will participate" (L.A. TIMES, 3/11). Meanwhile, in Winnipeg, Kirk Penton reported NHL Jets Owner True North Sports & Entertainment is "in talks with the NHL to host an outdoor game" featuring the team in '16. There have been "rumblings about Winnipeg hosting an outdoor game" since the Thrashers moved there in '11 (WINNIPEG SUN, 3/10).
