Let's Go Blues

The NHL is finalizing discussions to bring an outdoor hockey game to Busch Stadium in 2017, multiple sources have told the Post-Dispatch.

The plan is not yet complete, but the league is strongly considering the city to host the "Winter Classic," in which the Blues' opponent could be the Chicago Blackhawks. There is also the option of the team playing in a "Stadium Series" game, but according to sources, the Cardinals are expecting to host a hockey game at Busch on Jan. 2, which is a potential date for next year's Winter Classic.

On Saturday, an NHL executive declined comment "at this point." The Blues also declined comment.

An announcement on the NHL's ninth Winter Classic venue and participating teams could come within the next week. The league is about two weeks behind the date that it unveiled Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., as the host of the 2016 Winter Classic. That game, which featured Boston and Montreal, was announced on Jan. 24, 2015 and played on Jan. 1, 2016.

The selection of St. Louis would be a strong feather in the city's cap considering the 2016-17 season will simultaneously mark the NHL's 100th anniversary and the Blues' 50th anniversary.

The Blues are already planning several marquee events to commemorate a half-century since they were one of six teams brought into the league as an expansion franchise in 1967-68. An outdoor game at Busch Stadium, which could attract nearly 50,000 fans, would be the crown jewel for the organization.

The Blues and Cardinals already share a strong bond, which was underscored when Blues owner Tom Stillman and Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III dropped a ceremonial puck together before a game at Scottrade Center Jan. 15. DeWitt, a close friend of Stillman's and a hockey enthusiast, has long been a proponent of hosting an outdoor game.

The city has patiently waited while 10 NHL teams have participated in the Winter Classic, including six who have made two appearances each. The concept of the league playing outdoors became so popular that it introduced the Stadium Series in 2014, leading to five more games in the last two years. In all, 15 of the 30 clubs have played in an outdoor game, and two more will be added when Minnesota and Colorado each host Stadium Series games later this month.

The Blues' first appearance is expected to come in a year when the NHL is using its premier events to showcase several of the expansion clubs celebrating anniversaries.

The LA Kings, one of those six clubs, were awarded the 2017 All-Star Game last week. The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins, two others, are also expected to play in an outdoor game in 2017, ESPN.com recently reported.

It remains a possibility that Philadelphia and Pittsburgh could be chosen as next year's Winter Classic matchup, leaving the Blues to play in a Stadium Series game. But the uncertain availability of the football stadiums in those cities, which could be leading to the delay in the NHL's announcement, may work in the Blues' favor.

The traditional date for the Winter Classic is Jan. 1, but that falls on a Sunday next year, the final day of the NFL regular season. The NHL would like to play the game on Jan. 2 to avoid going head-to-head with the NFL, but if neither field is available, then the Blues and Busch might be the next best option.

Toronto, where the Maple Leafs will be celebrating their centennial year in 2017, is also an option for the Winter Classic. But according to ESPN.com, the league could be concerned about oversaturating the market in a city that will host the World Cup of Hockey in September and the World Junior Championships in December.

Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch staff contributed information to this story.

Kerfuffle wrote:I was searching on this and cannot find any official announcement. Is this a done deal or just strong rumor at this point?

Kerfuffle wrote:If it's true then then I can only see an opponent being the Blackhawks or Detroit. You've got to have an original 6 in there to bring the television revenue that Bettman wants. Let's be realistic guys - you're not getting Nashville or Dallas - no one would watch.

Kerfuffle wrote:I'm also curious as to how the NHL will deal with Budweiser thing of Busch stadium since it is not an official NHL brew at games. Will they sell both brews or just not name the stadium? Should be interesting.

cprice12 wrote: Pittsburgh and St. Louis got the top two local tv ratings spots last year. Neither one an original 6 team. Granted these aren't national numbers, but it still says a lot.

Kerfuffle wrote:You've got to have an original 6 in there to bring the television revenue that Bettman wants.

ecbm wrote:

Kerfuffle wrote:You've got to have an original 6 in there to bring the television revenue that Bettman wants.

Objection, irrelevant.

And as I've pointed out countless times here: every single MLB stadium is festooned with Budweiser ads, as that's the league's beer sponsor. I have no idea where people get the idea that this is a problem.

Kerfuffle wrote:I was searching on this and cannot find any official announcement. Is this a done deal or just strong rumor at this point?

Kerfuffle wrote:

cprice12 wrote: Pittsburgh and St. Louis got the top two local tv ratings spots last year. Neither one an original 6 team. Granted these aren't national numbers, but it still says a lot. If St. Louis played Nashville in the Winter Classic both of those 2 cities would have the highest ratings in the nation.

I don't agree - I believe it just means the LOCAL numbers are strong which is a given for that city.

Kerfuffle wrote:But the fact is would the rest of the nation care or tune in? Unlikely. Hence you have to pair the Blues with a rival and most of those are original 6 teams. Since Chicago and Detroit are the closest proximity wise those are your 2 top rivals.

cprice12 wrote: No. Detroit is in no way shape or form a top 2 rival of ours anymore. Yes, they are hated...but not a top rival anymore.
And you don't think the Predators are a rival of ours? They are a pretty big one actually. Much more so than Detroit is anymore. Our biggest rivals right now only include one original six team and that is Chicago.
I'd say, Chicago, Nashville, Minnesota & LA are our biggest rivals..and Dallas could be soon.

And the first Winter Classic in 2008 was Pittsburgh at Buffalo. Neither is an original 6 team.
In 2011 it was Washington vs. Pittsburgh. Neither is an original six team.
The other six have had original six teams.
While an original six team in the Winter Classic is a common thing, the NHL has proven in the past that it isn't some sort of unwritten rule that one of them has to be in there as the NHL has had two Winter Classics without an original six team participating.

cardsfan04 wrote:I don't think he's arguing against why the Blackhawks are the likely team. It's more that he's sick of seeing them in an outdoor game every single year. That's a common sentiment that I too hold. I mean, I kinda want it to be the blackhawks, but I'm sick of seeing them in that game and think Nashville would be a really cool opponent too.

Why the same teams get chosen a lot isn't lost on us. But, understanding why the NHL/NBC choose teams doens't mean we have to like it.

Kerfuffle wrote:I'm also curious as to how the NHL will deal with Budweiser thing of Busch stadium since it is not an official NHL brew at games. Will they sell both brews or just not name the stadium? Should be interesting.