[News] Heritage Classic October 2016: Winnipeg vs. Edmonton

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

But really, I couldn't care less about outdoor games. There should be one per year, max. They have lost their novelty, at least for me.

It's already lost its novelty, and the NHL knows this and doesn't care. It's now all about making the money.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

But really, I couldn't care less about outdoor games. There should be one per year, max. They have lost their novelty, at least for me.

Considering that "novelty" is about all any Oilers fan has going for them year after year, this must really suck for you.

[burn_this_city]

This is all about showcasing McDavid.

[Roof-Daddy]

It'll be McDavid vs Matthews after the Jets win the draft lottery.

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

Selanne never played for the Thrashers/Second Jets franchise.

I wonder if Scott Melanby is in shape to play the alumni game?

Doesn't matter. Selanne is playing

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Seriously they shouldn't allow two really bad teams to be in a showcase game.

This is literally going to be a outdoor toilet bowl, it shouldn't be allowed to happen.

I tend to think that the outdoor games should be a rematch of the Stanley Cup finals on neutral ground.

But then won't Chicago start to get sick of playing those games? Oh wait...

[Lil Pedro]

Not sure why everyone gets so bent out of shape regarding these outdoor games; they've proven to be big deals in the cities that host them and are big revenue generators for the league. Expect many more in the years to come and every city in the league to host at least one.

[FireGilbert]

^Agreed, I don't care about Edmonton/Winnipeg in a Heritage Classic but the Jets fans sure will and that is the point.

In fact it will likely be the most exciting thing to ever happen in the history of Winnipeg!

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

It'll be McDavid vs Matthews after the Jets win the draft lottery.

Maybe McDavid and Matthews against the Jets.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Maybe McDavid and Matthews against the Jets.

They should've waited one more year so Nolan Patrick could be there too. That Matthews-McDavid-Patrick line is going to be sick, I think this is a missed opportunity by the NHL.

[Jordan!]

Any Thrashers players playing in the alumni game?

[McG]

the good news is that it will be played in October so the ice will still be soft enough that all of the divers on oiler alumni and McDiver can play their games and will not be hurt.

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

Any Thrashers players playing in the alumni game?

I saw Hnat Domenichelli at swiss chalet the other day and he was saying he would play.

[JD]

Petr Buzek.

Ruslan Zainullin.

That franchise has a storied history.

But actually, even if they allowed the Coyotes/old Jets alumni, is the history really that much more impressive? Winnipeg's teams pretty much topped out at mediocre.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by JD

Petr Buzek.

Ruslan Zainullin.

That franchise has a storied history.

But actually, even if they allowed the Coyotes/old Jets alumni, is the history really that much more impressive? Winnipeg's teams pretty much topped out at mediocre.

ya man, Dale Hawerchuk, Teemu Selanne, Bobby Essesnsa, Teppo Numminem, Keith Tkachuk, Alexei Zhamnov.

Just a laundry list of nobodies (and I'm forgetting all sorts of players its early)

Winnipeg had very high calibre teams in the 80's that kept being stonewalled by the Oilers, the greatest dynasty in the league history. If you dont believe me just google some 80's playoff results. Just dont look at 84/85 86/87.

[Resolute 14]

Well, the Jets had a great regular season in 84-85. Other than that, they were pretty much mediocrity defined. Though, as you admit, the entire Smythe Division was routinely cockblocked by the Oilers (and Flames) in the regular season.

As far as the quality of this game itself goes, the Jets are in the same position the Flames are now, and that the Islanders were a couple years ago - two steps forward followed by one back. They will be hoping to step forward again next season. They should be motivated.

[pseudoreality]

If Winnipeg managed to squeak out a cup like Calgary did in the 80s I think they would get a lot more respect. Both Calgary and Winnipeg had good teams, it's just Edmonton was that much better.

[Resolute 14]

Not really. The Smythe had a very well defined pecking order in the 80s. The mid part of the decade was the Oilers, then the Flames, then everyone else fighting for scraps. The late 80s reversed Calgary and Edmonton. The Jets are notable though for having one season where they managed to break into that top-two dominance. The only other team to push either Calgary or Edmonton out of one of those positions in that time frame were the Kings in 1988-89.

       Edm  Cgy  Wpg
82-83  106   78   74
83-84  119   82   73
84-85  109   94   96
85-86  119   89   59
86-87  106   95   88
87-88   99  105   77
88-89   84  117   64
89-90   90   99   85

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Seriously they shouldn't allow two really bad teams to be in a showcase game.

This is literally going to be a outdoor toilet bowl, it shouldn't be allowed to happen.

I tend to think that the outdoor games should be a rematch of the Stanley Cup finals on neutral ground.

You don't have to watch.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by pseudoreality

If Winnipeg managed to squeak out a cup like Calgary did in the 80s I think they would get a lot more respect. Both Calgary and Winnipeg had good teams, it's just Edmonton was that much better.

"pseudoreality" indeed. A NHL team does not simply "squeak out a cup." Of course Winnipeg would get some respect if they had ever won something of note. BUT THEY DIDN'T. The Jets had never come even remotely close.

It is ridiculous of you to compare the sad sack Winnipeg Jets to the storied history of the Calgary Flames.