In Chicago, Hine & Greenstein cite sources as saying that the NHL and Notre Dame have "discussed hosting an outdoor game at Notre Dame Stadium featuring the Blackhawks and an opponent to be determined." A source said that there is a "'good' chance of the Blackhawks playing in South Bend" either next season or in future seasons "with the opponent potentially being another Original Six franchise." The game "could be the NHL's Winter Classic ... or as part of the league's Stadium Series." Hine & Greenstein note Notre Dame "recently completed" its $400M Campus Crossroads Project around Notre Dame Stadium with the "design of hosting events other than football games." The Blackhawks have played in five outdoor games, the "most of any NHL team" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/4).
GATE TROUBLES: In Ottawa, Ken Warren reports the Senators are in "serious danger of not selling out their season opener" against the Capitals tomorrow night. There are also "scores of tickets remaining" for Saturday's game against the Red Wings. As much as Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk "blamed a home-heavy schedule for the low early-season crowds a year ago, he faces the same problem this time." From now until Nov. 18, excluding a two-game trek to Sweden, the Senators "will play 12 games at Canadian Tire Centre and only four elsewhere" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 10/4). Meanwhile, the Senators will "honour the memory" of longtime coach and exec Bryan Murray this season with a sticker "on the back of their helmets with Murray's initials 'BM' along with the words 'family man, friend, coach and mentor.'" Murray died on Aug. 12 after a "three-year battle with colon cancer" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 10/4).
JUDGMENT DAY: In Boston, Steve Conroy writes it would have been "unfair to judge the job" Bruins GM Don Sweeney has done to this point, but with his third season in the role beginning tomorrow, it is "fair to start to judge away." The "future is now" with "two rookies set to star the season in the top six forwards and a rookie and second-year player among the top four defensemen." Conroy: "It's great to have youth, but it has to be the right youth. And the Sweeney era will be defined by whether the Bruins have it now or not" (BOSTON HERALD, 10/4).
