GDT: NHL Winter Classic: St Louis Blues Vs Chicago Blackhawks @ Wrigley Field | 5:00PM ET

[hangman005]

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[JPT]

Every year I forget they still do this game until it's time for this game

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Harder than usual to get excited for this one. Unappealing matchup.

 

[BrockLobster]

About damn time the blackhawks get their shot in the winter classic

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

The NHL has been posting throwbacks to the older Winter Classics on their social media, and seeing the highlights from 08-14 really made me realize how special and cool the WC used to be. It was about getting back on the pond, outside in the cold, like most of these guys did when they were kids.


Now it's some lame spectacle with bands, and fire, and drawn out introductions.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Remind me why we gave the Blackhawks a WC a year and a half after they tanked for Bedard...

Team is still very much in the dumpster. Give it a few more years.

 

[NHL1674]

About damn time the blackhawks get their shot in the winter classic

Honestly, that's one of the things that's ruined it for me, and I know a couple of other hard core fans that feel the same way. Hawks, Bruins, Penguins, Hawks again and again and again. Heck, this is the Blues 3rd time since what 2017? It's been held about 15 times, and still only half of the league have participated......and most of those teams have done it only once or twice. I get that ratings are important. But there is nothing special about it anymore. It's become just another predictable cash grab that gets skipped over when flipping through the channels.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Honestly, that's one of the things that's ruined it for me, and I know a couple of other hard core fans that feel the same way. Hawks, Bruins, Penguins, Hawks again and again and again. Heck, this is the Blues 3rd time since what 2017? It's been held about 15 times, and still only half of the league have participated......and most of those teams have done it only once or twice. I get that ratings are important. But there is nothing special about it anymore. It's become just another predictable cash grab that gets skipped over when flipping through the channels.

I wanted to go to Detroit/Columbus, but I'm not paying $150-$200 for a nosebleed ticket to sit 400-500 feet from the ice and have a third of it obstructed by the boards.

For two bad teams, no less.

 

[Score08]

This ought be a horrible hockey game too watch.

 

[PaulD]

Honestly, that's one of the things that's ruined it for me, and I know a couple of other hard core fans that feel the same way. Hawks, Bruins, Penguins, Hawks again and again and again. Heck, this is the Blues 3rd time since what 2017? It's been held about 15 times, and still only half of the league have participated......and most of those teams have done it only once or twice. I get that ratings are important. But there is nothing special about it anymore. It's become just another predictable cash grab that gets skipped over when flipping through the channels.

And that would be the case no matter what the march ups were.
The novelty is gone.

 

[shaner8989]

I love watching these games

 

[SJSharksfan39]

They are calling this the 2025 Winter Classic but they are playing it on New Years Eve. Why aren't they playing this game tomorrow. I'm sorry, but F the College Football Playoff. Also, F NHL Network for taking the only other option away from the CFP and blacking it out for most hockey fans. The NHL scheduling will always be a joke.

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Are either of the teams entering the stadium in full baseball regalia including bats and gloves a la the Bruins? That was one of the most embarrassing stunts I’ve seen a professional sports team pull

 

[qc14]

As always for people complaining -- these events are for the local fans and not for TV. All 3 outdoor games I've attended (WC at the Big House, WC at Nats Park, SS at Navy Stadium) were some of the coolest, most memorable games I've ever been to.

 

[Ignatius]

Remind me why we gave the Blackhawks a WC a year and a half after they tanked for Bedard...

Team is still very much in the dumpster. Give it a few more years.

The Blackhawks are one of the preeminent Cash Cow franchises in hockey, even if they are garbage people will still throw money away at them. Merch sales alone make it a worthwhile endeavor, Bedard better get used to doing one of these every year or at least every other year for as long as he is in Chicago. He has a lot of jerseys to sell.

 

[Score08]

As always for people complaining -- these events are for the local fans and not for TV. All 3 outdoor games I've attended (WC at the Big House, WC at Nats Park, SS at Navy Stadium) were some of the coolest, most memorable games I've ever been to.

You do realize they were playing at Fenway right? Kind of a theme. What’s embarrassing is having your league showcase game and having the blues vs the hawks. Thats far more embarrassing imo.

 

[qc14]

You do realize they were playing at Fenway right? Kind of a theme. What’s embarrassing is having your league showcase game and having the blues vs the hawks. Thats far more embarrassing imo.

I don't think it was unreasonable for the league to choose the 3rd largest market in the league with it's most exciting young star and one of their natural geographic rivals for its showcase game!

 

[Crow]

I don’t think too many people in Chicago really care about this much anymore for what it’s worth. It’s been done to death.

Maybe the homerest of homer cub fans who still treat wrigley like a shrine care but I don’t know anyone who does.

I’m excited to watch a hockey game but that’s every couple days.

 

[Score08]

I don't think it was unreasonable for the league to choose the 3rd largest market in the league with it's most exciting young star and one of their natural geographic rivals for its showcase game!

It’s unreasonable because both teams aren’t a national draw. They don’t showcase the sport for its talent and excitement. The only draw is the venue and the fact it’s outside. Most casual fans will switch the channel after 2 shifts .

 

[TheOrganist]

It’s unreasonable because both teams aren’t a national draw. They don’t showcase the sport for its talent and excitement. The only draw is the venue and the fact it’s outside. Most casual fans will switch the channel after 2 shifts .

The Hawks and Blues are two of the more storied franchises in the league with a historic rivalry. Who would you rather have, Nashville Columbus? It’s unfortunate that both teams aren’t good but they were chosen for a reason.

 

[Score08]

The Hawks and Blues are two of the more storied franchises in the league with a historic rivalry. Who would you rather have, Nashville Columbus? It’s unfortunate that both teams aren’t good but they were chosen for a reason.

There has to be a better way to showcase the sport than having to 2 bottom dwelling crapbag teams representing your league on your second biggest ratings grab of the year next to the SC.

 

[BlueOil]

There has to be a better way to showcase the sport than having to 2 bottom dwelling crapbag teams representing your league on your second biggest ratings grab of the year next to the SC.

why don't you float a better idea out?

since you have a such a keen understanding of what's wrong, surely your brilliant mind knows the right answers too

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

The Blackhawks are one of the preeminent Cash Cow franchises in hockey, even if they are garbage people will still throw money away at them. Merch sales alone make it a worthwhile endeavor, Bedard better get used to doing one of these every year or at least every other year for as long as he is in Chicago. He has a lot of jerseys to sell.

From my experience with Fanatics, the jersey will read, "DEDARB".

 

[qc14]

It’s unreasonable because both teams aren’t a national draw. They don’t showcase the sport for its talent and excitement. The only draw is the venue and the fact it’s outside. Most casual fans will switch the channel after 2 shifts .

It's not supposed to be a national draw.

If you think the league can be a national draw in even the best case scenario during the holidays -- when it's competing directly with CFP playoffs, the last two weeks of the NFL season, NBA Christmas Day games, hell even the EPL festive schedule -- I've got a bridge to sell you.

 

[CallMeShaft]

I'm just hoping the camera angles aren't totally shit like they generally are.

Worst part about hearing that your team is in an outdoor game. Cool in concept, but it always looks like ass when you watch it.