Limiting the Number of Outdoor NHL Games
The Rate of Outdoor NHL Games is Too High. Here is Why:
The biggest game for the entire NHL is usually the Winter Classic, played during the day of New Years. But now the NHL has outdoor games under three different names: Winter Classic, Stadium Series, and Heritage Classic. Yes, it gives more teams a chance to play outdoors where most of those players want to play. But it is taking away from the excitement of the outdoor games. I remember
growing up and always watching the Winter Classic with my family, and wanting to be at the baseball field or football field because the environment was insane. People were so excited to be there, cheering for their team and coming together as a community.
If there will be more outdoor games:
If the NHL is just going to keep having more outdoor games, personally, the NHL should change something. One key thing is the teams that play in these games. In the last 8 years, Chicago has played in 5 different outdoor games. This is unfair to some teams who have not had a chance to play in a winter classic. Yes, you read that right. 8 teams have not played in any outdoor game (Arizona, Carolina, Columbus, Dallas, Florida, Nashville, Tampa Bay and Las Vegas (New team coming to the 2017-2018 season. Las Vegas has hosted before but never had a team in Las Vegas host or play in one.)) Years’ past will say that some of the teams were not so strong but majority of these teams are doing very well these past couple of years. Let them play in an outdoor game. Warmer weather makes it hard to host but at least give these teams something to look forward during the season.
If there will be fewer outdoor games:
Fewer outdoor games will bring more excitement to each outdoor game that will be played in the future. The NHL could also pick a neutral spot that has a field to play on and play there. Just imagine playing in Wisconsin or North Dakota, maybe in Canada in a place like Nova Scotia, or even go overseas where some players come from. There is so many options the NHL has but they are not putting their mind to it. If the NHL is trying to increase its popularity and make more money, then they need to expand to different regions. If the NHL reduces outdoor games, and they are worried about the money, then hold the outdoor game at a football stadium like in 2014 at Michigan Stadium where they had over 100,000 people in attendance.
Personal Opinion:
I love NHL games being played outdoors because it does bring some memories back from when people were younger playing on ponds but this is starting to be too much. The NHL needs to realize this because the Winter Classic is something special to some people. Something needs to happen with the outdoor games though. Whether it be different teams play in an outdoor game, a neutral location or bigger stadium, something needs to happen or else the excitement of an outdoor game will disappear.