HockeyReal Winter Classic fun begins, plus 30 thoughts

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According to The New York Times, the game was expected to generate $8 million US in ticket sales. NBC is expected to make $3 million in ad revenue, “Triple the total of two years ago.”

When something is that successful, everybody wants a piece. Now, the NHL really must decide what this game is about.

• Should it be a “true” Winter Classic, played only in places (New York, Minnesota) that actually have winter weather?
• New York is an obvious target, but Yankee Stadium (the number one choice) is compromised by an NCAA Bowl game. The new Giants Stadium opens next NFL season, while the Mets have offered Citi Field. (However, the NHL apparently doesn’t consider that venue “sexy” enough.)
• Should a city like Dallas be considered, simply because of the huge revenue possibilities and “buzz factor” of playing at Texas Stadium? (Same with Los Angeles and a place like The Rose Bowl.) The Stars/Cowboys have requested a game. Jerry Jones is being aggressive with his new facility, going after huge events like the aborted Floyd Mayweather/Manny Pacquaio fight. He wants everything he can get his hands on. There won’t be snow (unless it’s trucked in), but it would be a fantastic spectacle. Aside from the city in question, is there any difference between playing at Texas Stadium and The Big O?
• Should the league target some different, but interesting venues? Twitter follower Mike Gunn suggested Camden Yards, a terrific idea. Maybe Lambeau Field? Could you even do the ground Tiger Stadium once stood on? (Last I saw, some of it remained. Just spitballing that one.)
• Canada? A “Heritage Classic” (as Edmonton christened it in 2003) will be back as soon as next season.

It’s going to be interesting. The Capitals want to be involved, and the NHL is sympathetic, because they were initially promised the game this season. Concerns over the team’s national TV ratings led to their removal and Philadelphia’s insertion. There is some sentiment for Pittsburgh to host Washington at Heinz Field, a Crosby/Ovechkin spotlight on New Year’s Day. Other teams will grumble, though, wanting their chance at this cash cow. The Penguins have already played in it once.

The NHL will continue this for the same reason the IIHF is basically ceding the world junior tournament to Canada – there’s too much money to be made. Glenn Healy reported in the Hotstove that executives from CBS and ESPN were at Fenway. Could Gary Bettman parlay this event into a bigger US network TV deal? That’s another storyline to follow.

ONE CLARIFICATION

Mentioned on the i-Desk the other night that RJ Umberger received a call from Paul Holmgren indicating that he’d be an injury-replacement consideration for Team USA. Someone watching (a pretty smart guy, too) thought I’d made it sound like he was on the team in case of injury. Not necessarily. He is one of about five or six who received calls.

30 THOUGHTS

1. During Pat Quinn’s Maple Leaf era, I never saw him look or sound as defeated as he did following Edmonton’s 4-1 loss in San Jose Saturday night. (The clip is edited for length on the Oilers’ website, so the full effect is lost.) Quinn was almost always defiant during the tough times in Toronto; always an “I’ll show you!” response to any doubt, one of the intriguing things about covering him. It was really jarring to see him like that.

2. Another player who got an injury-replacement call from the U.S.: Rob Scuderi. Scuderi and Brian Gionta were the two surprising omissions for me from Team USA.

3. Penguins players said Scuderi has the most ridiculous pain threshold of anyone they’d ever seen.

4. Miro Satan’s agent – Allan Walsh – took offence to my critique of his client’s work ethic this week. (The suggestion I should go back to “Hockey Scouting 101” was pretty funny.) It is true that he showed an excellent attitude as a cap casualty in Pittsburgh last season, having to go to the minors. Maybe he’s matured as an older player, but there’s no doubt he wasn’t an “every night guy” for much of his career.

5. It’s pretty simple in Boston: If he competes, he’ll play. If not, he’ll sit. (So might Michael Ryder and Blake Wheeler.) The Bruins feel they pushed Phil Kessel into becoming a 36-goal scorer, and will give Satan a shot at those chances.

6. This number in honour of Claude Giroux, who went minus-6 against Ottawa on Sunday.

7. Dennis Wideman on Patrice Bergeron: Two years ago, when things were really bad with Bergeron’s concussion, Wideman showed up for treatment on an off-day. The room was dark, and conversation was held at a whisper. Bergeron couldn’t handle light or loud noises.

8. Another teammate on Bergeron: “He’s one of the few who’s shown up for every game.” The Bruins feel they’ve gotten better because the group’s work ethic is back to where it was.

9. If the Flyers do save their season, the turning point would be Dec. 21. Philly lost 4-1 at home to Florida that night. But, after it was over, Paul Holmgren told his players, “There will be no trades. This is our group and we believe in it.” Players said it was like a world being lifted off their shoulders.

10. Simon Gagne’s return was obviously huge for Philly, but, very quietly, Darroll Powe and Blair Betts play important roles for that team.

11. After the New Year’s Eve world junior meltdown, one Canadian-born, U.S.-based hockey guy said, “The Americans’ problem is: Canada cares about winning the tournament. The U.S. cares about beating Canada.” At least the Americans get a shot at both Tuesday night.

12. Looking at the players the Swedes have sent to the world juniors, it’s unbelievable they haven’t won gold in 29 years.

13. One AHL coach on Davis Payne’s biggest challenge with the Blues: won’t be the young players. Will Keith Tkachuk and Paul Kariya buy in? Both are injured now, but have huge influence in the room. Payne is 39, Tkachuk 37 and Kariya 35.

14. Then again, will they agree to go to contenders – should there be interest? Both will be UFAs. Kariya has a no-move, Tkachuk a no-trade. Boston thought it was getting Tkachuk last year, but the paperwork did not get done in time.

15. A major reason Andy Murray was fired? It’s so hard to make trades. Both Dave Checketts and Larry Pleau tried to rile up the players, but that didn’t work. Easiest move is the coach.

16. Gord Stellick always says, “If you’re going to stink, stink on the road.” Murray made St. Louis care about hockey again, but franchises are frightened about taking a step back and losing those fans.

17. Class move by Murray to leave a handwritten note of encouragement for Payne. When Pat Burns was fired in Toronto, he wrote, “Good luck, Nick” on the chalkboard of the dressing room for Nick Beverley. That’s how players found out there was a coaching change.

18. It’s interesting to talk to other coaches when one gets fired. Often, they’ll discuss whether or not the guy really deserved it. The one that irritated them the most? Joel Quenneville in Colorado.

19. Pierre LeBrun reported in the Hotstove that Chicago might be interested in Ilya Kovalchuk. It makes sense. As one GM once told me, “It’s so hard to win. You have a responsibility to go for it when you have the chance.” Chicago definitely has a chance.

20. Curious to see what Mathieu Schneider’s future will be. One of Chris Chelios’ friends says that Chelios refused to go out as a healthy scratch, as he was last year in Detroit. By playing hard for the Chicago Wolves, he’s enjoying the game again while creating demand for his services. Can Schneider do the same?

21. Cam Janssen complained he never knew where he stood with Andy Murray. Maybe he should play for Alain Vigneault. Never any doubt with him.

22. Absolutely loved Tuukka Rask’s special Winter Classic mask – a bear chewing up a Yankees jersey. Tim Thomas had a nice tribute to late Bruin broadcaster Fred Cusick.

23. After the 2005 world junior tournament, Mike Babcock raved about Dion Phaneuf, calling him the most impressive of all on a loaded Canadian team. I don’t know if it’s all the Flames coaching changes or his own stubbornness or something else, but he just hasn’t developed into the player so many predicted he would be.

24. Phaneuf angered the Kings with his hit on Anze Kopitar, and several opponents will tell you he is among the most reckless players in the NHL. They don’t think he intentionally goes out to hurt guys, but doesn’t consider the consequences.

25. Phoenix announced a sellout Saturday night against Detroit. The team deserves some positive attention; it’s played very well. But I can’t help but wonder: how much does this actually mean in ticket revenue?

26. Remember: the Coyotes have had a shot at the playoffs in each of the past two years, but faded badly. Will the lessons of those collapses pay off this time? If so, Dave Tippett should finish first, second and third in the Jack Adams voting.

27. Adam Foote was booed every time he touched the puck Saturday night in Columbus. Down 2-1 after two, he told his teammates, “It’s going to be that much sweeter when we win this game.” Colorado rallied to win it.

28. Weirdest Winter Classic sight: Lou Franceschetti took his brother to the game, but showed up in a New York Yankees tuque and sweatshirt. He probably needed the experience of those 747 career PIMs to save himself from the Boston and Philly fans.

29. So, let me get this straight: The restaurant owner claiming the Oilers stiffed him started demanding $1,000 for an interview? As usual, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

30. I rarely, if ever, get nervous anymore, but certainly was to interview Bobby Orr live for the first time ever. I called him “Mr. Orr.” He looked at me and said, “It’s Bobby.” We are coming up to the 40th anniversary of his famous 1970 Cup-winner. Geez, I’m getting old.

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