The NHL will once again serve up some outdoor action over the course of its 2017-18 season. As the league prepares its regular season schedule (a task which has involved preparing two schedules due to Olympic uncertainty), Gary Bettman revealed that three outdoor contests are expected to be held in the new season.
The three outdoor games are supposed to take place regardless of the NHL’s decision to compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Bettman says he thinks the league will likely stage three outdoor games next season regardless of the Olympic decision
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 1, 2017
That being said, none of the three games are finalized.
Bettman says cld be 3 outdoor games next season although nothing finalized.
— Mike Zeisberger (@Zeisberger) January 1, 2017
It’s safe to assume that the league will announce its outdoor games as soon as the venues and teams are secured in order to ramp up the marketing machine. Based on the NHL’s track record, plan on seeing at least one of the usual outdoor game suspects (Blackhawks, Red Wings, Penguins, Canadiens, Rangers, Flyers) involved.
The decision to hold three outdoor games is actually a slight decrease compared to the four outdoor games the NHL is holding in 2016-17. The change from four games to three wasn’t caused by the NHL suddenly realizing they’re watering down what’s a really strong concept, but instead comes as the NHL Centennial Classic celebrating the league’s 100th season was added in 2016-17 to go along with the Heritage Classic, Winter Classic and a Stadium Series game.
Outdoor games are a huge hit for the host city and the teams involved, but it’s important for the NHL to handle one of its best ideas/assets carefully.
