Friday Notes: An unoriginal Winter Classic

by Chris Burton on May 28, 2010 6:15 AM EDT

The 2011 NHL Winter Classic is set to be announced, and its no surprise - the Washington Capitals will face the Pittsburgh Penguins at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. [WaPo]
Did the NHL mess this one up? At face value, I'd agree, but for cursory entertainment and marketing it doesn't get much better than Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin. [303]
Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Frolov have reportedly received offers from the KHL. [Pro Hockey Talk]
Have the Preds signed highly touted defensive prospect Roman Josi? Apparently, but we'll wait until the press release to say for sure. [Slapshot.ch via Google Translate]
Predators radio voice Tom Callahan is a little tired of all the talk - just drop the puck, OK? [Preds Prowl]
Rachel checks in with part 2 of her player reviews, starring Shea Weber, Kevin Klein, Marcel Goc, and Martin Erat. [WTP]
Chris Pronger and Joel Quenneville: once friends, now enemies. [From the Rink]
Are the Blackhawks the Penguins of the West? SBN hockey overlord Travis Hughes has a look. [Broad Street Hockey]
Playing with fire, or legitimately funny? [Twitpic]

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i’m actually surprised by the announcement. certainly ovie vs sid will be good for ratings. but this is the 2nd time in what, 4 years that the pens will be playing? also, the steelers will still be playing football. that field is always crap anyway. at least the titans play them early.

TN Sports fan in Hoosier Country....

by Evanbio on May 28, 2010 7:05 AM EDT reply actions

Honestly, I think most of the complaining about a return appearance by the Penguins at the Winter Classic is childish. It’s a marketing event, an opportunity to draw in the casual viewer who’s not familiar with the NHL. To do that, you use the biggest names and teams. There’s no obligation (or benefit) to rotating it through the various teams in the league.

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on May 28, 2010 7:34 AM EDT reply actions

You’re right, and most of the people we’ll hear complaining about this are diehard fans like you or me. At the end of the day, more people will watch Sid v. AO in the snow than they will North Stars/Wild (which I would’ve loved) or Rangers/Devils. Sure, it doesn’t ‘seem’ fair to put Pittsburgh in the game a 2nd time, but they’re the cash cow of the league right now. The only real complaint I have with this choice is that maybe it should be in Washington; but the lack of a good venue and the iffy weather probably sealed that deal.

I’m not entirely sure I buy that this draws in ‘new’ or casual fans (weren’t the OLY supposed to do that?). You’ve got college football games all freaking day on New Year’s, and the majority of the United States would rather watch Georgia v. Michigan in Orlando than the NHL. This thing’s all about money, and these two teams will make the most. Its pretty simple.

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by Chris Burton on May 28, 2010 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions

The only real complaint I have with this choice is that maybe it should be in Washington; but the lack of a good venue and the iffy weather probably sealed that deal

There’s good reasons to put it in Pittsburgh (you mentioned two) and if anything “unfair” would be 2 road WC games for Pens fans. The city deserves to host it, has the perfect venue, backdrop, etc.

Pensburgh.com

by Hooks Orpik on May 28, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

You sum up my opinion too Dirk.

There’s any number of matchups that would be awesome, like a game in Denver or Minnesota or NY. But the best possible matchup to draw in the casual sports viewer is definitely Sid v. Ovechkin.

And all this game really boils down to is a big exhibition to showcase the game. Why not use the best possible matchup?

Pensburgh.com

by Hooks Orpik on May 28, 2010 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Definitely a good matchup

but why not use one team from the West and one team from the East? Wouldn’t that bring in viewers too?

I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.
- Rodney Dangerfield

by stacie7 on May 28, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

As someone who despises the entire Sid V Ovi show, I’m excited but annoyed at the same time. It didn’t have to be against the penguins, it’ll bring in viewers, but meh.

I definitely plan on going though! And buying the swag.

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by Ovechwin on May 28, 2010 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

Why Not NY vs LA?

You want ratings? Try putting the teams from the two largest markets in the NHL in the Winter Classic. Both teams have star players on their teams, and it would be good for casual fans to see a hockey team other than Pittsburgh once in awhile.

by Predaceous on May 28, 2010 11:12 AM EDT reply actions