Outdoor Game in St. Loo...Warm, Rainy, and likely postponed

[N-E-B]

Outdoor games are old now.

[puffnstuff]

Maybe its been covered, but dont the teams have to agree to be scheduled to play in an outdoor game? Or does the NHL just say 'youre scheduled to play in an outdoor game and thats it'.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

Maybe its been covered, but dont the teams have to agree to be scheduled to play in an outdoor game? Or does the NHL just say 'youre scheduled to play in an outdoor game and thats it'.

I think every team jumps at the chance because they make money off of them. The merch alone could be enough incentive.

[Karl]

I will never stop liking outdoor hockey games. NHL or otherwise.

[thefoss1957]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

What makes it a gimmick, other than you don't like it?

The fact that it is outdoors, with random conditions, that often adversely affect play.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by thefoss1957

The fact that it is outdoors, with random conditions...

The way it was played in your (many of our) youth.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by MattyC

The way it was played in your youth.

Not in Missourah!

[thefoss1957]

Originally Posted by MattyC

The way it was played in your (many of our) youth.

In the part of Chicago, where I was raised, a lot of street hockey was played...the nearest frozen surface, aside from the occasional flooded tiny yard, was at city parks. If there weren't too many figure skaters, you might get enough unimpeded space to pass a puck around, even then, from where I lived, it was a couple of miles to the ice, and getting enough players to lug their gear, with just the hope, of getting enough ice space to play, wasn't a guarantee. So, no, not a lot of pond hockey was played in my youth. And I think, except for perhaps, Minnesotans, this was typical for US born kids. Outdoor hockey seems more a Canadian tradition, that tradition being marketed as novelty for US markets.

[FireGilbert]

The fans seem to enjoy these outdoor games but I agree with foss a bit that it is a gimick to have larger crowds and sell new jerseys.

Growing up in Calgary I played a ton of outdoor hockey but every organised meaningful game was played indoors.

[Strange Brew]

I just don't see playing outdoors as a gimmick. Yeah the NHL is over saturating the market with this product but hockey is truly an outdoor game. So there are reasons to be tired of the winter classic for sure, but outdoor hockey is not one of them IMO.

One of my favorite parts of coming home in the winter is getting on an ODR.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by thefoss1957

In the part of Chicago, where I was raised, a lot of street hockey was played...the nearest frozen surface, aside from the occasional flooded tiny yard, was at city parks. If there weren't too many figure skaters, you might get enough unimpeded space to pass a puck around, even then, from where I lived, it was a couple of miles to the ice, and getting enough players to lug their gear, with just the hope, of getting enough ice space to play, wasn't a guarantee. So, no, not a lot of pond hockey was played in my youth. And I think, except for perhaps, Minnesotans, this was typical for US born kids. Outdoor hockey seems more a Canadian tradition, that tradition being marketed as novelty for US markets.

Fair enough.

Are you opposed to the idea overall, or just tired of the over-exposure combined with your team always seemingly participating?

I personally think both of those things need to be rectified. One game on New Years Day every year. Bring teams from the south to play the north.

It's the "storied rivalries" they get too wrapped up in. While it's nice to have teams playing each other with history, it simply won't always be that way if you want this to be a long term tradition. Which I think it can and should be. They're just WAYY overdoing it.

I wouldn't mind them saving it for the All-Star game either, but I do like the idea that there are stakes. And the games tend to be great. Both games this year were fantastic to watch, and the players seem to love it.

[t0rrent98]

IMO these outdoor games would be a lot better if they didn't always use the same teams to host the these winter outdoor games.
Sure the original 6 teams have a lot of history but each team is running out of designs to showcase each time they get picked for a winter classic.

[thefoss1957]

Matty...I guess the cynic in me sees these outdoor games as a mere cash grab. I would prefer, if the NHL desires continuance of these, it be the ALL-Star game. This is an exhibition, anyway.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by thefoss1957

Matty...I guess the cynic in me sees these outdoor games as a mere cash grab. I would prefer, if the NHL desires continuance of these, it be the ALL-Star game. This is an exhibition, anyway.

I guess, but just because it makes cash doesn't make it a pure cash grab (as an idea anyways)

The multiple games stuff is what wreaks cash grab to me. But having it once a year I think is good.

Even if some (most) of the areas where the pro teams are don't have the tradition of the ODR, it is where the game came from. It's where a lot of the players come from. I think trying to bring that type of tradition to fans who may not have grown up with it is a good thing. But again, in small doses.

And lets not forget that hockey is a very international game. No idea what the international numbers are for these games, but the ODR is tradition in places like Sweden, Russia, Finland, etc.., and many northern parts of the US as well.

The selling of everything from the name to the alternate jerseys, cash grabs for sure, but I'll deal with that to get the game personally. Again, ONCE.

My thoughts: Make it once, bring back HBO to do the series and market the s*** out of it.

To me, the growth of the NHL should be done through small instances of huge exposure of some of the highest quality competition (Olympics, Winter Classic, and yes, All-Star Game). Not by blowing their load over everyone possible all at once, multiple times.

You can't deny the hockey is fun to watch (although I know your crew lost today).

[jlh2640]

As I agree the novelty has worn off, I still like outdoor games.

[GreenLantern2814]

If an outdoor game is in your city, you're going to be excited about it. If it isn't, you probably don't care. The sightlines are weird on TV, and I can only imagine they're weird in person too.

Just like the All-Star game. If it was being held at the Saddledome, I'm sure we'd Jihad to get three or four guys in the starting lineup. Since it's not here, the ability for the casual fan to care is limited.

But that's true about any non-playoff hockey game. It's a regional game. The people of St Louis probably think the idea of playing an outdoor game is neat.