The NHL this season played three outdoor games -- the Winter Classic in Boston and Stadium Series games in Minneapolis and Denver -- and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly thinks that the league has "hit a comfort zone" with that number, according to Scott Burnside of ESPN.com. Daly said, "I don't think you want to do too many of these games. ... First of all, our events staff can't do too many of these games. It's going to almost physically kill them if we do any more than we're doing now. But I think we're at the right number. A couple of outdoor games a year and I think particularly in the middle of our schedule it creates event points for people to embrace the game" (ESPN.com, 2/27). In Detroit, Ted Kulfan noted there "have been reports" that the Red Wings, in addition to Sunday's game against the Avalanche at Coors Field, would play in another outdoor game against the Maple Leafs on Jan. 1, 2017. The game "would take place at BMO Field." Daly said, "Obviously it's something that's been raised but not something where we're in a position to make any announcements." It is doubtful the Red Wings-Maple Leafs game would be the NHL's Winter Classic, but "rather a game recognizing the NHL's and Maple Leafs' 100th anniversary season." The Blues are "rumored to be hosting the actual Winter Classic" on Jan. 2 against the Blackhawks -- on a Monday, since the NHL "would rather not go head-to-head on Sunday against the NFL" (DETROIT NEWS, 2/28).
COOL RUNNINGS: The DETROIT NEWS' Kulfan noted a sellout crowd of 50,095 attended Saturday's Red Wings-Avalanche Stadium Series game, a "successful and entertaining event all the way around, including almost ideal weather up until the wind began to strengthen beginning in the second period." In the third period, "huge gusts made the fake snow blow all around Coors Field and momentarily stopped the game." The teams "switched ends at the 10-minute mark of the third period because of the wind" (DETROIT NEWS, 2/28). In Denver, Mike Chambers noted temperatures were near 65 degrees at faceoff, making Coors Field the "all-time warmest venue" to host an NHL outdoor game. Avalanche C Nathan MacKinnon said, "It was awesome -- an awesome experience. The NHL did a great job; 50,000 people was really cool. A special game, for sure" (DENVER POST, 2/28).
SKEPTICISM SIDED: Daly said that he "was impressed with Denver's reception for the events." Daly: "This has been a remarkable success in terms of fan engagement in Denver and getting the people really enthused about the NHL and its products." He said Friday's alumni game was played in "a really special environment in how the fans reacted to the game and the players and the event" (DENVER POST, 2/28). ESPN.com's Scott Burnside wrote he "was a bit skeptical that Denver could pull off the whole outdoor thing." But starting with Friday's alumni game, the weekend "was a monster success." However, it "was a bit shocking to see that the announced crowd was 43,319 for Friday night's tilt." That is a "big number, and the game hit all the right notes in terms of nostalgia and emotion." That "set up the uncomfortable possibility that the real game on Saturday might not meet those numbers." Saturday's crowd "bore out" Daly's assessment that the Red Wings travel well (ESPN.com, 2/27).
