2014 Winter Classic (Leafs @ Wings)

[Redleaf]

The league will apparently make it official tomorrow.....

It should be the biggest one to date, as far as the crowd goes.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=387219

 

[scott evil]

HBO special too? They have focused on the two teams in the winter classic the last two years.

 

[Optimus Reimer]

About time the league put the Leafs in the winter classic.  It should have been done a long time ago.  We just have to get the league to have a game in Canada, and an 8th team in Quebec City. 

 

[Nik]

If this is true, I'll have mixed feelings. I'd think about making the trip down to U of M and if they do 24/7 with the Leafs it would be fun to watch but there's also a part of me that can't help but think that the Leafs first appearance in this kind of event shouldn't be on the road. The Leafs are the NHL's most valuable franchise, Toronto is the centre of the hockey universe and for the team's first ever outdoor game the fans will have to go to friggin' Ann Arbor Michigan?

 

[Redleaf]

If this is true, I'll have mixed feelings. I'd think about making the trip down to U of M and if they do 24/7 with the Leafs it would be fun to watch but there's also a part of me that can't help but think that the Leafs first appearance in this kind of event shouldn't be on the road. The Leafs are the NHL's most valuable franchise, Toronto is the centre of the hockey universe and for the team's first ever outdoor game the fans will have to go to friggin' Ann Arbor Michigan?

Not sure where they could hold it in Toronto though? Rogers centre with the roof open?

 

[BC Buds Fan]

As a boy growing up in Windsor, Leafs/Wings was my ultimate rivalry (Norris Division).  The 1993 First Round upset of the Wings remains for me one of the happiest times in my Leaf-fan life.  When the Leafs play the Wings at the Joe, half the arena is filled with Leaf fans from Southern Ontario, and I can only imagine what will happen when they pack 100,000 people into that stadium (half of which WILL be Leafs fans).  If you want to watch a proper hockey game, stay home and catch it on your flat-screen.  If you want to join 100,000 people in a massive tailgate party and go for the spectacle, that's what your ticket buys you.  Me, I'll be planning a flight back to Ontario in time for this one!!!!

 

[Corn Flake]

I think the problem in Toronto is there just isn't a really good venue.  BMO is too small, likely can't open the Rogers Centre roof in the winter for 100 different reasons... where else could they do it?

 

[YYZ]

I think the problem in Toronto is there just isn't a really good venue.  BMO is too small, likely can't open the Rogers Centre roof in the winter for 100 different reasons... where else could they do it?

The Dome never was designed to be opened to the elements, including cold weather.

Little bit of an aside, but I always wondered why they wouldn't stage some Leaf games at the Rogers Centre?  I know they have ice making capability, various different ice shows have been put on there.

Sure, the site lines would suck, but just to have almost 60,000 people at a home Leaf game would be incredible.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

I think the problem in Toronto is there just isn't a really good venue.  BMO is too small, likely can't open the Rogers Centre roof in the winter for 100 different reasons... where else could they do it?

The Dome never was designed to be opened to the elements, including cold weather.

Little bit of an aside, but I always wondered why they wouldn't stage some Leaf games at the Rogers Centre?  I know they have ice making capability, various different ice shows have been put on there.

Sure, the site lines would suck, but just to have almost 60,000 people at a home Leaf game would be incredible.

Since Rogers owns the Dome and now owns the team I'm pretty sure they will try.

 

[riff raff]

If HBO decides to do 24/7 again, I think they should try something new. I don't know how much fresh material they will get from simply following the two teams around. (While interesting, there seemed some repetition: the coaches swear, the players have some interesting -sometimes- quirks.)

Maybe they should turn their attention to the never-ending media scrutiny that the Leafs put up with - behind the scenes at HNIC, TSN & SportsNet.

 

[Nik]

If HBO decides to do 24/7 again, I think they should try something new. I don't know how much fresh material they will get from simply following the two teams around. (While interesting, there seemed some repetition: the coaches swear, the players have some interesting -sometimes- quirks.)

Maybe they should turn their attention to the never-ending media scrutiny that the Leafs put up with - behind the scenes at HNIC, TSN & SportsNet.

I'm guessing that HBO being an American network an in-depth look at the Toronto hockey media is pretty unappealing.

 

[riff raff]

If HBO decides to do 24/7 again, I think they should try something new. I don't know how much fresh material they will get from simply following the two teams around. (While interesting, there seemed some repetition: the coaches swear, the players have some interesting -sometimes- quirks.)

Maybe they should turn their attention to the never-ending media scrutiny that the Leafs put up with - behind the scenes at HNIC, TSN & SportsNet.

I'm guessing that HBO being an American network an in-depth look at the Toronto hockey media is pretty unappealing.

Hmmmm....a good point.

Unless they wanted to show how crazy (in a negative way) the Canadian hockey media is.

I just think they should find a new angle........

 

[Nik]

Unless they wanted to show how crazy (in a negative way) the Canadian hockey media is.

I don't think there's much of a story there. The Toronto hockey media isn't really any crazier than any big market media covering a very popular sport.

 

[riff raff]

Unless they wanted to show how crazy (in a negative way) the Canadian hockey media is.

I don't think there's much of a story there. The Toronto hockey media isn't really any crazier than any big market media covering a very popular sport.

I'm grasping at straws. I thought you could tell.

 

[Nik]

I'm grasping at straws. I thought you could tell.

Fair enough. I get what you're saying and everything but I think there are still good human stories to be told in 24/7's existing format.

 

[Kessel Run]

I'm grasping at straws. I thought you could tell.

Fair enough. I get what you're saying and everything but I think there are still good human stories to be told in 24/7's existing format.

And that is pretty much 100% the point. In previous shows they focus in on a couple of players and feature their experiences at the rink and at home.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Wet blanket Cox is already publicly whining about it:

The battle for me will be trying to avoid having anything to do with this game. My boss might insist, as he does from time to time, and it will be difficult to fight back against the idea that Toronto's biggest newspaper needs to provide comprehensive coverage for it's readers.

But why force a guy who doesn't believe in the fairy tale to recite the fairy tale? Why invite an unrepentant Grinch to Christmas? Instead, how about Rosie? She's our franchise player, after all. Or that Feschuk guy might be free. Cathal's a much better writer than me and surely could capture the joy better. Zorro and McGran can easily provide the necessary reports and insight. Surely Doug Smith would love a break from the Raptors, plus it will allow him to realize his dream and work 365 straight days.

:

I'm under no illusions that this thing is a big cash grab gimmick, and I don't care.  It looks fun to be at.

 

[Zee]

HBO special too? They have focused on the two teams in the winter classic the last two years.

I would actually watch the HBO special if the Leafs are involved.  Haven't bothered watching up to now.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

The first 24/7 was good cause it had Crosby and Ovechkin. The second season was awful and ratings sagged tremendously. Not even sure if they even make the 3rd one.

 

[Nik]

The first 24/7 was good cause it had Crosby and Ovechkin. The second season was awful and ratings sagged tremendously. Not even sure if they even make the 3rd one.

Where did you get that? I looked yesterday and couldn't find ratings info.