Winter Classic: Just Once? Why All Hockey Games Should Be Played Outdoors

The Winter Classic is set to be played this upcoming Saturday between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals.

For most fans, it's the most anticipated regular season game of the year.  If people love it so much, why not play all hockey games outdoors?

Hockey is a sport that prides itself on big hits, defense and fighting.  That toughness is the only thing keeping sports fans from just watching basketball all winter long.

Why not take that toughness to a whole new level?  Playing every game outdoors would enhance that persona.

Die-hard football fans call into radio stations every winter when the debate of playing all meaningful games indoors surfaces saying, "Football was meant to be played outside in the elements."

Football is the toughest of all America's sports (I say America's because I don't want to give any rugby fanatics a seizure).

Hockey prides itself on that same mentality—that's why every game should be played outdoors.

It's ice hockey.  I mean, when the word "ice" is in the name of your sport, you know it was meant to be played outside.

Yeah, I know there are hockey teams in Florida and places that aren't going to freeze over come winter time.  That could end up being the same advantage football teams have come playoff time.

Either move your franchise north or be forced to adjust to the cruel elements when you play a team located in Canada.

Ex-hockey player Eric Lindros once said, "People on the streets are ready for hockey."  

Well then let's take hockey to the streets.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist and Writing Intern at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him at One Yard Short.com or on Twitter.