The '18 NHL Winter Classic "won't be coming to Buffalo" despite efforts to coincide it with a World Junior Hockey Championship game at Ralph Wilson Stadium, according to John Wawrow of the AP. A source said that the Sabres "have dropped their interest in hosting" the Winter Classic due to "logistics and scheduling issues." The Sabres hosted the first Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium in '08. As part of their bid to USA Hockey to host the world juniors, the Sabres' plans "include playing the tournament's first outdoor game." It would be a "preliminary matchup" between the U.S. and Canada and played at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Meanwhile, the Sabres are "in talks with the NHL" to continue hosting the league's rookie combine. NHL Central Scouting Dir Dan Marr on Friday said that negotiations are "ongoing and supports the Sabres' bid because of the facilities Buffalo has to offer." The combine is "being held this week at the Buffalo's downtown HarborCenter." This is the "second of Buffalo's two-year agreement to host the event." One issue in "extending the current deal with the Sabres is other NHL teams" -- including the Penguins -- have "expressed interest in hosting the combine." The Penguins "have their own practice complex but, unlike the Sabres, it is outside of the city" (AP, 6/3).
