Winter Classic 2013 at The Big House!?!?!

[sherbert1421]

we probably won't know anything for sure until late may. that's when the nhl usually announces next year's winter classic

 

[higgyfan4]

we probably won't know anything for sure until late may. that's when the nhl usually announces next year's winter classic

The league is expected to announce the site of the 2013 game before the Jan. 29 All-Star Game.

-quoted in the article I just posted...

 

[jstewismybastardson]

this is from tsn insider trading tonight higgy

Bobmac

"extremely high likelihood"
"nhl's desire is for the Wings to play the Leafs at the big house"
"would be configured for 115000 in terms of attendance"
"by end of month there will be formal announcement"
"NBC and the NHL are just fine and dandy with Toronto versus Detroit at the big house"

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

Awesome.

 

[sherbert1421]

this is from tsn insider trading tonight higgy

Bobmac

"extremely high likelihood"
"nhl's desire is for the Wings to play the Leafs at the big house"
"would be configured for 115000 in terms of attendance"
"by end of month there will be formal announcement"
"NBC and the NHL are just fine and dandy with Toronto versus Detroit at the big house"

Sweet

now we just got through the CBA negotiations and we'll be home free.

 

[rares]

Yeah, Leafs makes most sense economically (big money to be made from shit ton of Leafs fans coming in for New Year's + game) and geographically (duh)...

 

[Vadered]

NHLs COO John Collins: "Absolutely, there should be more Canadian teams in these games". "I think there are a lot of markets that would be fantastic," he said. "I'd like to ultimately see these games not viewed as a regional matchup or a Canada game or a U.S. game, but really kind of a celebration of hockey. If you're a hockey fan — whether you're a Canadian hockey fan or an American hockey fan or a Flyers fan or Flames fan — these games are special and unique and you should be tuning in even if your favourite team isn't playing in the game.

HEY!

 

[BlueandWhiteForever]

Not official yet, but what an honour for the Leafs to play in this game. To think that possibly around thirty thousand Buds fans could be at this game yet be out numbered more than 2 to 1

 

[pixburgher66]

I wanna go to this so badly. I'd rather this one than the Pens last year...still would choose the Buffalo one as the one I'd most enjoy, but this one will be epic. 115K people. So awesome.

 

[higgyfan4]

Not official yet, but what an honour for the Leafs to play in this game. To think that possibly around thirty thousand Buds fans could be at this game yet be out numbered more than 2 to 1

If its anything like a Wings/Leafs game at the Joe, it might be closer to 50 thousand Leaf fans, heh.

I hope I can go. Perfect excuse to come back to Michigan. Wish I never left. :frown:

Just worried that being a Spartan alum that I don't burst into flames or something entering Michigan Stadium.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

lol

Yzerman and Nieuwendyk lean in to take the opening faceoff, then straighten up and announce they've just made a trade. #DETvsTORalumnigame

 

[higgyfan4]

lol

Yzerman and Nieuwendyk lean in to take the opening faceoff, then straighten up and announce they've just made a trade. #DETvsTORalumnigame

DownGoesBrown Down Goes Brown
Current wishlist: Quinn coach, Brophy assistant, Larry Murphy booed, Cheveldae standing ovation, Domi and Kocur go off the opening faceoff.

DownGoesBrown Down Goes Brown
Every single player from the Leafs roster plays the last few minutes for Detroit but nobody ever remembers that. #DETvsTORalumnigame

@blogesalming Bloge Salming
Instead of a fun intermission shootout, members of both teams take turns beating up Cam Russell #DETvsTORalumnigame

@DownGoesBrown Down Goes Brown
Leafs assemble an entire team of Hall of Famers; Mats Sundin still somehow has no wingers to play with. #DETvsTORalumnigame

@DownGoesBrown Down Goes Brown
Glenn Healy starts for the Leafs; every Leafs goalie of the last 10 years crams into broadcast booth to criticize him. #DETvsTORalumnigame

 

[jstewismybastardson]

This slipped under the radar thanks to the sound and fury about the poll that said Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf is overrated and the Mike Cammalleri trade, but it looks like the Leafs will play the Detroit Red Wings in next year’s NHL Winter Classic.

However, the game will not be held in Toronto but in Ann Arbor, Mich., where it is expected a world record for attendance at a hockey game will be set at Michigan Stadium. The stadium already holds the record, as 104,173 fans attended an outdoor game in 2010 between the University of Michigan and Michigan State. The plan is to configure the stadium capacity to 115,000 for the NHL’s outdoor game.

Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, who is also chasing a Winter Classic for Toronto along with the NHL all-star game and the entry draft, said in an e-mail message the Leafs have not received any invitation to the Winter Classic – yet. But the word around the NHL is the league is committed to seeing the Leafs and Wings meet in next year’s outdoor game.

News that plans for this game are well-advanced was first broken by Yahoo! Sports. The website reported talks heated up in the last couple of weeks after Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon decided it would be a good idea to land one of the NHL’s signature events.

While the NHL usually sticks with U.S.-based teams in the Northeast for the Winter Classic, the Leafs are attractive because their large fan-base across Southern Ontario guarantees the game will be a sellout, even in huge venue like Michigan Stadium. A happy by-product is the colourful personalities in the Leafs’ front office mean the HBO documentary series 24/7 that tracks the two teams in the outdoor game will have lots of drama.

Burke has said 24/7 is too intrusive for his taste. But a few days ago, the GM remarked on Twitter that “if the NHL asks, we do it.”

 

[SLY]

This would be pretty friggin epic.

 

[SLY]

Montreal/Boston up in Quebec in the near future? Yes, please.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Montreal v Toronto on the plains of Abraham in Quebec City in a future Heritage Classic

ITS GONNA BE A WAR!!!

 

[elocomotive]

A pretty basic position NBC has maintained is no Canadian teams for the WC. I can't imagine it won't be two American franchises.

(gulp) This is not going to be pleasant...

 

[jstewismybastardson]

(gulp) This is not going to be pleasant...

especially for winged wheel

 

[SLY]

Is NBC not a Canadian channel or something?

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Montreal v Toronto on the plains of Abraham in Quebec City in a future Heritage Classic

ITS GONNA BE A WAR!!!

They should have a series like this every year to decide which will be Canada's number one language for the following year.