I have been a lurker for a long time. Rarely post as i perfer to read ppl getting flamed rather then flame and get flamed.

Anyway ESPN.com / NHL mainpage has stated that there is a possibility of the 08-09' outdoor game be held at Wrigley Field in Chicago. I would love for the game to be in Chicago vs. Detroit (or an other orig. 6 team)! The only change I would make is to have the game held at Soldier Field as you can have a higher number of spectators. Anyone else find this news interesting?

Sorry, my immediate reaction.

I heard about this yesterday, sounds like a great team and city to build the event around, and I agree that Soldiers Field would be a better place than Wrigley. I'm sure Dave is already trying to figure out who he has to beat down for a pair of tickets.

Starship Troopers. Love me some Denise Richards.

I will be at this game if it even happens. Tickets will be impossible if it goes Chi vs. Det. any other game won't be as bad as hockey has really gone downhill in Chi. for several years; 01-02'. With new mgmt it looks to already be on the rise again.

I think outdoor professional Hockey is a great idea. Not for every game, but a few times of the year it would be fun. Soldiers field would be a better place than Wrigley. Also I agree with Detroit vs Chicago unless they can bring back the late 80's Northstars vs Blackhawks.

All I know is that if Buffalo gets invited to the game in Chicago, there's absolutely no way I'm not going, I don't care if I have to spend $500 a ticket on Ebay.

FCP barrage on the outdoor game! Believe me what an event it would be. If they do the original six idea I would like for them to wear throw-back jearseys from the original starting days. Buffalo would be a good match too. Would almost have to be a divisional game to attract a larger audience or no?

Buffalo - Pittsburgh this year, and the last one was Edmonton - Montreal.

Nothings written in stone, the NHL will make the year's second biggest event the best game they can get.

Very good point. I guess Chi. needs to improve their young team just a bit (atleast make the playoffs) to have a true chance of this opportunity. If not... hell I will go root against the Wings.

I believe the talk is not too have this as annual event...Maybe every 2 or 5 years...If you do it every year the concept becomes very "gimmicky"..I like the idea of an outdoor game, but not every year.

If it was an annual event in the same place with the same teams, it would get gimmicky, but I think it would be awesome if this was a traveling event (throughout the North, obv, can't see much good coming out of a Tampa Bay vs Florida game outdoors). Get all the teams involved, have a Northern team host it every year, it would be awesome.

It would be like the hockey equivalent of the Super Bowl, we Northerners never get to host those unless you live in a city with a dome (usually not even then).

I like the idea of Wrigley Field over Soldier Field. They have had some concerts in Wrigley which have been a success. McDonough is the new Prez this year and he used to be the Prez of the Cubs, so he has good contacts with some of the people still there. Chicago was trying to get an outdoor game at Soldier Field a couple years ago, but couldn't come to an agreement with the Chicago Park District. I think hockey wants a new look to the next outdoor game, meaning they don't want one in another football stadium. It would be hard for Chicago to win out over the Rangers playing in Yankee Stadium before it's gone, but if they do I'll be there. The question of who I would want to see the Hawks play in the outdoor game is hard for me to answer. The obvious answer is Detroit, but I'd rather see an O-6 matchup against Boston, Monteal, Rangers, or Toronto first. Then it would be really special. Have Boston and Chicago wear old school sweaters, actual sweaters, would be awesome. Have all the greats from both teams be there, maybe have a legends game.

I was hoping for a Ranger game to be played at Yankee stadium before they tear it down. Doubt it is going to happen athis point

Big fan of your work sir.

One outdoor game a season is a good idea and especially if it's two different teams for as long as possible.

Great read TheDaveyG. I agree with O-6 for sure. Wrigley just doesn't do it for me... Sure it is a great atmosphere but maybe it is just the fact I live a mile away and hate the cubs hahaha. Gotta have the sweaters on, Legeends Game would be sickening!! I really got excited thinking about all this. the CPD is horrible imo.

The last time the Rags played outside it didn't go so good, remember?

I mean, yeah, they beat the Mystery team and all, but they sure looked like a bunch of pansies running back and forth from the locker room to warm up.

I would go if it was Detroit but I will assume the Blackhawks would have to lose in such a game so maybe they will choose the Kings? /trashtalk for the fun of it.

It should be Canada's turn.


Toronto vs Montreal in Quebec City, Iam sure as soon as the outdoor game gets tiresome or old they will play this matchup.

They could play Toronto vs Montreal in the middle of the desert in Timbuktu, and it will still draw record breaking crowds...

I don't think Timbuktu has a decently sized stadium though!

if you build it they will come.

I always wondered how timbuktu was spelled. Always heard the word never read it though.

Everything you ever wanted to know about Timbuktu and were afraid to ask...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbuktu

I like the part about how Timbuktu's total population is less than half the attendance figure at the Winter Classic.

I think the game would bring millions of dollars to this empoverished town..I think we are on to something...The leafs will have a whole new region to scout hockey players from..

Email to Bettman sent...

10 Hottest Cities in the World:

Average Temperature

(deg.F) (deg.C)

1. Timbuktu, Mali 84.7 29.3

1. Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India 84.7 29.3

3. Khartoum, Sudan 84.6 29.2

3. Omdurman, Sudan 84.6 29.2

5. Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India 84.0 28.9

5. Niamey, Niger 84.0 28.9

7. Aden, Southern Yemen 83.9 28.8

8. Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India 83.8 28.8

9. Madras, Tamil Nadu, India 83.5 28.6

10. Ouagadougou, Upper Volta 83.5 28.6

That might cause a bit of an issue with an outdoor game. But I am not that bright.

Steve,

YOu have to think outside the box...

Hope it is cold outside that box!

Have the game at night - it must be colder then!

Floodlights as well of course