re: NHL Winter Classic next year... At the Big House in Michigan

Why? The Winter Classic is American TV event. Can't imagine why the networks want American teams. It's not like we haven't had the Heritage Classic last year, which was awesome. Seriously, the Flames jerseys were sweet.

It's a way to market the game to Americans, and Canadians get the knickers in a twist that they aren't included. Who cares? It's a marketing push to attract casual American sports fans. The Habs mean nothing to a casual sports fan in middle America. Suck them in with New York and Chicago, then get them into the history and Canadian teams.

It's not what the game is about.

It's unfortunate that the CBJ completely blow so it can't be Jackets-Wings from the Big House. Hopefully, within the next five years or so, we can at least play at a playoff level so it can be Jackets-Wings in the Shoe.

And I pointed out that this is an American event. I have no problem with Toronto being in it. In fact, I'm glad. I even suggested having the Habs play in Yankee Stadium, so I'm clearly not opposed to it.

but Canadian fans have been extraordinarily bitchy about being shut out of the Winter Classic, when it is incredibly obvious why it is so. It's not a big deal that there hasn't been a Canadian team. I also think Canada should continue things like the Heritage Classic, which was awesome.

And nothing could make me pull for the Rangers - not even a US-Canada matchup.

Says NBC. It's a made for American TV event to compete with American college football bowls on January 1. It's a non-traditional setting for hockey, which the NHL and NBC use to sell hockey to casual sports fan. For many Americans, this will be the only hockey game they watch all year.

This would be like American teams bitching that they aren't on Hockey Night in Canada enough.

I'd love to see the Leafs in the Heritage Classic, and it's a shame that there isn't one this year. A Toronto-Ottawa outdoor game would be suh-weet.

And I am happy the Leafs are playing the game. I said so. I'll certainly root for the Leafs against the Wings and I hope they wear the old school white-and-blue striped unis with the old school leaf. That would be awesome. I'm just saying, I don't think its a big deal that there haven't been any Canadian teams in the WC, and I hope this shuts up Canadian fans whining about it.

BTW - there's never been an American team in the Heritage Classic, for obvious reasons.

I could see a "winter classic" played in Jerry World.

Very cool, and glad to see the Wings playing the Leafs too

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Very cool, and glad to see the Wings playing the Leafs too

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I can't wait for this. this actually takes my mind off of LSU for the first time since Monday...

Mmmmh I think the fan base does have to do with the selection of the teams, Greater Toronto has a population base of about 6.5 million. Toronto's economy is great, and there are literally no impediments to Leafs fans filling the Big House in Ann Arbor...

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You serious, Clark?

Original 6 team with a huge fan base that's also within driving distance.

If you couldn't do the math on that, I feel sorry for you.

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I understand it from that stand point I just think it would be a more interesting game if it was a team that's a contender like the Philly or Vancouver..

and I was just kidding about the Ohio of Hockey thing

They should have gone with an American team unless they plan on the build up for the event being America vs Canada but that just doesnt make sense.

Much too big of a marketing event for hockey in the US to use a canadian team. This is realistically the only game out of the year that can achieve a nation-wide audience within the US and to promote hockey in general. Lost opportunity.

And yes the game will sell out and toronto fans will show up in droves.