NHL Today Could Cancel Winter Classic Set For Michigan Stadium

The NHL is "leaning towards canceling" Michigan Stadium's Winter Classic today, although Day 47 of the lockout passed yesterday with NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and NHLPA Special Counsel Steve Fehr "continuing their renewed dialogue." A $3M contract with the Univ. of Michigan calls for "an NHL payment of $250,000" today, but the contract was "worded so that the NHL will owe only $100,000 if the outdoor game is canceled" by today or before (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 11/2).

In Ann Arbor, "thoughts are already turning to staging the game on New Years Day 2014, with the same teams." While "nothing has been discussed," both the Red Wings and Maple Leafs "would be willing to return" (TORONTO SUN, 11/2).