I guess that’s why the Wings snagged Conklin, they wanted to be guaranteed an outdoor game, haha.

Posted by NHLJeff from Boston, MA on 07/06/08 at 12:41 PM ET

Line of the day?

Jesse is the son of Nick’s father’s brother.

In other news, his barber’s sister’s cousin’s aunt’s hairdresser’s dentist was seen kissing his mother’s boss’s brother’s little sister.

Posted by monkey from Gary's World on 07/06/08 at 01:00 PM ET

Are the Red Wings still going to have their traditional New Year’s Eve game the night before?

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/06/08 at 03:13 PM ET

I highly doubt they will Baroque.  The Wings will want to skate on the outdoor ice and I am sure a semi media day will be on New Year’s Eve.

The NHL schedule should be out early this week, so we shall soon find out.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 07/06/08 at 03:19 PM ET

How many seats does Wrigley field have?

I was hoping it would be at Soldier field.

I bet tickets will be hard to get for folks from Michigan.

Posted by w2j2 on 07/06/08 at 07:16 PM ET

The Red Wings won’t be happy with this.  They wanted to host a Winter Classic between themselves and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Ford Field or Michigan Stadium, and if this kicks them out of the running, in addition to messing up the New Year’s Eve game...Bettman will have some explaining to do to Mr. Ilitch.

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 07/06/08 at 07:50 PM ET

Around 35,000 to 40,000, I think.

And although Soldier Field would have more seating, my god that remodeled stadium is UGLY.  There’s a good reason that architectural monstrosity is called “The Mothership” now.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/06/08 at 07:52 PM ET

I was hoping for Detroit vs. Toronto at the Big House.  They could do a UM-MSU college game as an appetizer, too, since the Cold War was at Spartan Stadium.

I’m not surprised - the NHL seems to hate Detroit, despite the fact that the team helps a lot keeping hockey afloat south of the border.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/06/08 at 07:56 PM ET

How many seats does Wrigley field have?

41,118

Posted by monkey from Gary's World on 07/06/08 at 09:25 PM ET

If this is true I like the two teams.  They can’t have Toronto in it because it wouldn’t be a game, it would be a massacre.  Chicago, like the Penguins last year, are a young team full of talent.  You also have the Red Wings, the reigning champs, who are in good shape to compete for the cup again next year.  It would be an attractive match up.

However, I would like to see it played at a bigger stadium.  Last year’s brought in over 71,000.  The more publicity for the NHL the better.

Posted by Justin from PA on 07/06/08 at 09:54 PM ET

I still think Michigan Stadium should’ve been the logical choice if the league wanted to continue setting records for a hockey game.

I prefer a Canadiens vs. Wings matchup.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 07/06/08 at 10:42 PM ET

The NHL knows the Wings can be screwed with because of its deep and resilient loyal fan base, and they abuse it.

This is another example of the NHL’s total lack of awareness of the fans’ perspective.  Play an outdoor NHL game on Jan 1 in the heart of Big Ten country while 3 or 4 Big Ten teams will be playing in Bowl Games.  Why not, everyone knows the NHL already gets huge TV ratings and can afford to go head to head with college football’s biggest day!

Are these people aware of the outside world?  If you’re going to have an outdoor “classic” (I guess doing it once earns the much misused “classic” label) why not do it on the Sunday afternoon open date before the Super Bowl?  There’s no competition from football.  It’s not going to be discernibly colder than Jan 1.  The expected TV ratings would be higher.  And the NHL would not be screwing with Detroit’s New Year’s Eve tradition.

Why Jan 1 in competition with an already over saturated TV sports menu?

Incredibly bad idea, but expected from NHL,inc.

Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 07/07/08 at 11:23 AM ET

What exactly are the Wings New Year’s Eve Traditions anyway?

Posted by STFU0926 on 07/07/08 at 09:47 PM ET