Oh, for crying out loud...

are you kidding me??

http://www.sportsnet.ca/thewire/hockey/2008/05/29/report_blackhawks_to/

THAT might be the worst idea.

like.
just wow.


anyone have a better matchup?

Ottawa-Montreal?

Yeah lets all watch the Western Conference Champions, steamroll a rebuilding team that didn't even make the playoffs.

What about a winter classic between the two conference finalists that didn't make it? Dallas-Philadelphia

What about a winter classic between the two conference finalists that didn't make it? Dallas-Philadelphia

i like that one.

Yeah lets all watch the Western Conference Champions, steamroll a rebuilding team that didn't even make the playoffs.

What about a winter classic between the two conference finalists that didn't make it? Dallas-Philadelphia

Is every response here a joke, or am I in some twilight zone. The same Blackhawks team that went 5-3 and won the season series is going to get steamrolled?

Also, one of the most popular stadiums in pro sports, coupled with a traditional rivalry is bad? I guess im missing something here.

I was hoping for the Flyers vs. Pitt at Penn state but Detroit and Chicago will be interesting alot of young talent on the Hawks.

I was hoping for the Flyers vs. Pitt at Penn state but Detroit and Chicago will be interesting alot of young talent on the Hawks.

I'd be furious if Pittsburgh got in back to back Winter Classics. I'm fine with this match up, just hoping it comes to Canada 09/10 season.

What's the issue? Makes sense with Chicago, since the NHL wants to pimp Kane as America's Crosby. Even though they aren't on the same level, though what american would be ;)

are you kidding me??

http://www.sportsnet.ca/thewire/hockey/2008/05/29/report_blackhawks_to/

THAT might be the worst idea.


- Two original six teams
- The best team in the league VS an emerging young team
- Historic stadium

What's not to like?

Is every response here a joke, or am I in some twilight zone. The same Blackhawks team that went 5-3 and won the season series is going to get steamrolled?

Also, one of the most popular stadiums in pro sports, coupled with a traditional rivalry is bad? I guess im missing something here.

Agree... I think it's a good idea. Plus, Chicago could use help with the fanbase. Yes, the team is terrible, but this could ignite something. It's just not about the best teams playing

And for cryin' out loud, it's an outdoor arena. It's not like it's going to be a walk in the park for anyone

Well at least it's whining about something not named Spezza, Heatley, Emery or Gerber.

Yeah lets all watch the Western Conference Champions, steamroll a rebuilding team that didn't even make the playoffs.

What about a winter classic between the two conference finalists that didn't make it? Dallas-Philadelphia

Well this year's Winter Classic featured the Pittsburgh Penguins (2008 Eastern Conference Champions) against the Buffalo Sabres (a rebuilding team that didn't even make the playoffs).

I think the games was a success. And while I would love to see Canadian teams play in this sort of game, it only makes sense to try and sell a game that would be of interest in the States. Plain and simple.

Well at least it's whining about something not named Spezza, Heatley, Emery or Gerber.

Gerber sucks ****.

Well at least it's whining about something not named Spezza, Heatley, Emery or Gerber.

If some people have their way, half of those players will be playing for the Hawks next season. ;)

Gerber sucks ****.

you suck ****. :p:

If some people have their way, half of those players will be playing for the Hawks next season. ;)

Spezza + Gerber + Emery
for
Keith + Khabibulin + 2nd?

It's one of the best rivalries in NHL history. Iconic matchup at an iconic venue.

Chicago won this year's season series, 5-3.

The league as a whole will benefit the faster Chicago rebounds as a vibrant NHL market.

For television, you leverage two of the larger NHL markets, by population. Detroit has a league-wide following.

There's really no downside to this one.

I agree that it is a good match up. Chicago also really needs to rebuild their image now that their previous owner has passed away, and they are able to market themselves to a wider audience.

The goal of these games is to boost viewership in the United States. I'm not sure a Canadian team will be invited to one of these games anytime soon. If a Canadian team does go, you can bet it will be the Leafs because of their huge fan base.

And consider for years Blackhawks games were not aired locally they really need to build up their fan base all over again. I like this play by the NHL...it's a competitive game with two major markets and because it's outdoors it'll carry plenty of interest in Canada.

I think this is awesome! I can't wait to see it, in fact.

Chicago's turnaround is going to get a huge boost from this event. After all the crappy teams they've had for the last 15 years, they deserve it.

- Two original six teams
- The best team in the league VS an emerging young team
- Historic stadium

What's not to like?

That my team ain't in it... but I'll survive.

Can we not make this a trade Spezza thread... He's 1/3 of the best line in hockey, like we're trading him...:shakehead:shakehead:shakehead:shakehead

Trade Spezza to the NHL for rights to play in the next Winter Classic Game.

NHL gets Spezza, and his goofy giggles will hopefully make Bettman, Cambell and the rest of the group more personable.

Ottawa gets to play in the next Winter Classic to quiet the people complaining about the teams picked in this one.

Ottawa will not play in one of these games because they have a solid fan base and the NHL is trying to promote the game in the US. They need to reach the non-traditional markets, and having a game between Ottawa and Calgary won't do the trick.

If they're going to do this every year, they should make it the ECF/WCF losers who play each other - (ie, this year, philly vs. dallas). That would be neat....

...of course it would be difficult to find a 'home' rink to play in if it were, say, tampa versus anaheim, lolz.

That my team ain't in it... but I'll survive.

Can we not make this a trade Spezza thread... He's 1/3 of the best line in hockey, like we're trading him...:shakehead:shakehead:shakehead:shakehead

I wasn't aware that Spezza played with Zetterberg or Hossa...we had the best line two years ago, not anymore.

As for the Winter Classic, it'll be great to be sure. Two Original Six rivals, nice rivalry, great young team in Chicago.

:handclap:

Is every response here a joke, or am I in some twilight zone. The same Blackhawks team that went 5-3 and won the season series is going to get steamrolled?

Also, one of the most popular stadiums in pro sports, coupled with a traditional rivalry is bad? I guess im missing something here.
I agree, what's not to like? The history, a great team versus an up-and-coming team whose turnaround is probably the best feel-good story in the league, the venue ... I'm far more interested in this one than I was in Pittsburgh/Buffalo.

Is every response here a joke, or am I in some twilight zone. The same Blackhawks team that went 5-3 and won the season series is going to get steamrolled?

Also, one of the most popular stadiums in pro sports, coupled with a traditional rivalry is bad? I guess im missing something here.

Ha ha thank you

I really like this matchup a lot. Chicago is an emerging team and will be a playoff contender next year. Such a great historic building to play in, as has been mentioned. Also this will do a lot to put the Blackhawks back on the radar as Wirtz did his best to kill the franchise before he died.

Ottawa will not play in one of these games because they have a solid fan base and the NHL is trying to promote the game in the US. They need to reach the non-traditional markets, and having a game between Ottawa and Calgary won't do the trick.

Exactly - it's a made for US TV event, and we won't see one of these in Canada anytime soon. Even when we do see a Canadian team involved, Ottawa won't be it.

Agree... I think it's a good idea. Plus, Chicago could use help with the fanbase. Yes, the team is terrible, but this could ignite something. It's just not about the best teams playing

And for cryin' out loud, it's an outdoor arena. It's not like it's going to be a walk in the park for anyone

The team is Terrible?????

The Hawks were 40-34-8 and finished 3 pts out of the playoffs! We were good this year. And over the last 2 months Hawks had many 20k+ crowds at UC!

Seems like a good original six match up to me, in a historic U.S. stadium no less. It is pretty much what the NHL wants to promote hockey in the states.