NHL Winter Classic: Where Each NHL Team Would Host Its Own Outdoor Game

Outdoor NHL games are always special and exciting. They give the game a classic and unique feel that reminds fans of the past and pond hockey.

The Winter Classic is an event that is produced every year by the NHL. There have been some great venues already, but if each team got a chance to host their own Winter Classic or outdoor event, where would it take place?

Anaheim Ducks

Venue: Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl is an arena with a storied history. The venue has been in existence since 1922 and has hosted as many as 106,869 fans at a time.

If the NHL featured the Anaheim Ducks at the Rose Bowl, it would be a great day for the NHL and hockey.

Boston Bruins

Venue: Fenway Park

If the Bruins were to host another outdoor event, Fenway Park is the only logical venue.

Not only did Fenway host the 2009 Winter Classic, but it annually hosts the Frozen Fenway college hockey tournament. The event is a blast and really benefits the local economy.

Buffalo Sabres

Venue: Ralph Wilson Stadium

The Sabres are another franchise that has already hosted an outdoor event. The home of the Buffalo Bills was a great venue for the original incarnation of the Bridgestone Winter Classic. It can seat so many diehard fans, the atmosphere for hockey is incredible.

Its geographic location also lends itself to produce a true pond hockey-themed climate featuring freezing temperatures and snow.

Calgary Flames

Venue: McMahon Stadium

The Calgary Flames hosted a successful Heritage Classic against the Montreal Canadiens.

McMahon Stadium was an ideal venue for that game and would serve the NHL and the Flames well in any future outdoor hockey event.

Carolina Hurricanes

Venue: Bank of America Stadium

Bank of America Stadium, better known as "The Vault," would be the ideal location if an outdoor event was ever hosted in Carolina. The stadium is the home of the Carolina Panthers of the NFL and seats 73,778. The size and location of the stadium would be two huge selling points if the Hurricanes were ever in position to host an outdoor game.

The only drawback is there is a 169-mile distance between Raleigh, home of the Hurricanes and Charlotte, where "The Vault" is located.

Chicago Blackhawks

Venue: Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field was a great venue for the Winter Classic back in 2009. It is an iconic baseball stadium with a rich history that gave the Winter Classic a nostalgic field.

When the Blackhawks participated in the event it was a great day for Chicagoans, even though their hometown team lost. 

If Chicago holds another outdoor event, Wrigley Field is the most likely site for an event. 

Colorado Avalanche

Venue: Mile High Stadium

Mile High Stadium is the home of the Denver Broncos, but it would be a great place to host an outdoor game. The high-capacity seating, the scenic surroundings and cold weather atmosphere would make a great host for an outdoor event featuring the Colorado Avalanche.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Venue: Ohio Stadium

Ohio Stadium is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Its capacity of 102,329 would make it one of the largest outdoor events in NHL history. It is the most logical event due to the amount of fans it could hold.

While the Blue Jackets are unlikely to be the host of an outdoor event, Ohio Stadium would be the best place to do it.

Dallas Stars

Venue: Cowboys Stadium

If the retractable dome was open at Cowboys Stadium, this would technically be an outdoor event. Cowboys Stadium has hosted many major events so far so it would only be logical for Jerry Jones to sign off on an NHL-oriented event.

The venue is beautiful, it can host a large audience and the large video screens would aid fans even in the most reclusive seats.

Detroit Red Wings

Venue: Michigan Stadium "The Big House"

The 2013 Bridgestone Winter Classic will feature the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. It is going to be the largest Winter Classic to date and will feature an amazing Original Six matchup.

Edmonton Oilers

Venue: Commonwealth Stadium

The 2003 Heritage Classic, known as the original outdoor classic, was held at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It was great for an outdoor event then and would be even better years later.

The stadium underwent a massive renovation in 2010, so the arena would be a great place to watch a hockey game.

Florida Panters

Venue: Sun Life Stadium

Sun Life has hosted many different events in the history of its existence. It has gone by many different names but has hosted the Florida Marlins, the Miami Dolphins and it will host WrestleMania in a few weeks.

Florida may be too warm to hold hockey outdoors, but if there ever was a venue, Sun Life Stadium would make the most sense.

Los Angeles Kings

Venue: Caesars Palace Parking Lot

This is not a random location. Back in 1991, the Rangers and Kings squared off in an exhibition game that took place during 85-degree weather. This location worked back then, so it would work if the Kings decided to host an outdoor event.

Nostalgia alone would make this a memorable event and would bring hockey back to Las Vegas.

Minnesota Wild

Venue: TCF Bank Stadium

TCF Bank Stadium is the home of the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team. It is a great stadium and hosted an NFL game when the Metrodome's roof collapsed after a vicious snow storm.

Minnesota is a great state for the game of hockey, so having a game with 50,000-plus fans would be both intimate and exhilarating for all the fans involved.

Montreal Canadiens

Venue: Percival Molson Memorial Stadium

The largest stadium in Montreal is Olympic Stadium, but it is indoors. The largest outdoor stadium is Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. With a capacity of about 25,000-plus fans, it would be a decent venue for a regular season or exhibition outdoor game but it would likely never be used for a Bridgestone Winter Classic.

Nashville Predators

Venue: LP Field

LP Field would be the best place to host an outdoor event in Nashville. It would be large enough to continue the trend of large outdoor stadiums. LP Field already is the home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans, so it is already equipped to host a event of epic proportion.

An outdoor event with the surging Nashville Predators would be an amazing event.

New Jersey Devils

Venue: MetLife Stadium at the Meadowlands 

MetLife Stadium is the home of the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants and the New York Jets. The stadium is brand new and is slated to host a Super Bowl and could host WrestleMania in the future.

The venue is new, located in New Jersey and would be great for an outdoor hockey event. If the Devils are lucky enough to host their own outdoor event, MetLife Stadium will be the place to be.

New York Islanders

Venue: Citi Field

Citi Field is home of the New York Mets. It is a beautiful ballpark that has hosted concerts and soccer matches in addition to subpar baseball. The Islanders would fit right in at Citi Field given the location in relation to other major outdoor venues.

If the Islanders are forced to relocate, Queens is a potential landing ground, so hosting an outdoor hockey game would be a great way to test the market. 

New York Rangers

Venue: Yankee Stadium

The next Winter Classic event that will feature the New York Rangers will likely take place in Yankee Stadium against the Boston Bruins. It would make sense given the rivalry between the two major cities.

Yankee Stadium is a popular venue but another venue that would be great would be Michie Stadium at West Point.

Philadelphia Flyers

Venue: Citizens Bank Park

The Flyers and Rangers participated in an amazing Winter Classic in January. The ballpark had a great atmosphere and every event was sold out to capacity.

If the event ever comes back to Philly, Citizens Bank Park should be a lock for another Winter Classic.

Phoenix Coyotes

Venue: University of Phoenix Stadium

This is another venue that is indoors but has a retractable roof that would enable the NHL to host an "outdoor" event. The stadium can expand to seat as many as 78,000-plus fans.

While Phoenix may not be around after this season, this beautiful stadium has hosted many other significant events, so a hockey game would have the potential to be highly successful.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Venue: Heinz Field

The home of the Pittsburgh Steelers served the Penguins well during the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.

If an outdoor hockey event ever returns to the "Steel City," Heinz Field will be the likely venue for an event featuring the Penguins.

Ottawa Senators

Venue: Frank Clair Stadium

If the Senators were ever chosen to host an outdoor event, Frank Clair Stadium would be a likely target if additional seating was included. The stadium holds just under 30,000 fans, which would be still larger than an average NHL game but not enough for an outdoor production.

San Jose Sharks

Venue: Candlestick Park

San Jose doesn't have many large outdoor stadiums, so for the Sharks to participate in an outdoor event, the game would have to take place a little farther north in San Francisco.

Candlestick Park holds close to 70,000 fans so it would have the potential to be a successful and profitable event for the Sharks and the NHL.

St. Louis Blues

Venue: Busch Stadium

The NHL has hosted three Winter Classic events at a baseball stadium, so holding one at Busch Stadium would be nothing new. The new stadium holds close to 47,000 fans with standing room, so the NHL likely could add some temporary seats if needed.

The Blues are a team on the rise, so hosting an outdoor event would be great.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Venue: Raymond James Stadium

Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Buccaneers, has the potential to hold 75,000 fans. Its size and location makes it a great place for the Tampa Bay Lightning to host an event.

While the climate may be too warm, if the NHL can figure out a way to keep the ice cold enough, Tampa could really host a unique event.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Venue: Rogers Centre

Formerly known as the SkyDome, the Rogers Centre can hold up to 69,000 screaming fans. The Maple Leafs may be participating in the 2013 Winter Classic in Ann Arbor, but if they had a chance to host their own outdoor extravaganza, the Rogers Centre would be an awesome venue. 

Vancouver Canucks

Venue: BC Place

BC Place is an arena with a retractable roof, so for this event it would be technically outside. The BC Place can hold as many as 54,000 fans, so this would be a no-brainer when it comes to holding an outdoor event featuring the Vancouver Canucks.

Washington Capitals

Venue: FedEx Field

FedEx Field, home of the Washington Redskins, can seat 82,000 fans. It would be the optimal venue for an outdoor event featuring the Capitals. The arena may not be the greatest, but its size gives it an increased advantage over a newer stadium like Nationals Park.

Winnipeg Jets

Venue: Investors Group Field

This stadium is currently under construction with a projected completion date of June 2012. The stadium should hold up to 40,000 fans with temporary seating included.

What better way for the NHL to build up some buzz and excitement than to host an outdoor NHL event in a brand new arena with a team that has just returned home.

--

Tom Urtz Jr. is an NHL Featured Columnist. For more NHL trade rumors, updates and alerts about players: