We are one day removed from the 2016 Winter Classic, which means that it’s the perfect time to talk about who will host next year’s marquee event. Multiple sources have reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs are the front-runners for the next Classic, but they aren’t the only Canadian team looking for an outdoor game.
The Winnipeg Jets are also in the mix apparently, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman spoke about that during the second intermission of yesterday’s Winter Classic. Scott Oake of Sportsnet asked the question, while David Minuk of IllegalCurve.com transcribed Bettman’s response:
“We haven’t settled on a date that we are ready to announce. We do owe Winnipeg a game. And we would have been there last year but for the Grey Cup and some complications.”
Minuk notes that Bettman then turned the conversation towards outdoor games in general, but the admission that Winnipeg is “owed” a game is noteworthy. It’s unclear at this point just who will host the 2017 Winter Classic, but it sounds like we can expect to see an outdoor contest at IG Field in the near future.
What are your thoughts on this, NHL fans? How would you feel about an outdoor game in Winnipeg? If it’s between Winnipeg and Toronto, which city would you prefer to see play the host? Sound off in the comments down below and let us know what you think.
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