Winter Classic Dead

The NHL's Winter Classic will die a quiet death today.

Later this afternoon, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will announce both the Jan. 1 game between the Maple Leafs and Red Wings and the two-week festival around that game, and the HBO 24/7 series, will all be cancelled because of the ongoing labour stalemate with the NHL Players Association.

There were reports today that the NHL was considering waiting for another two weeks to cancel the game. But league sources say that the logistics of the event, all the tickets and hotels and part-time workers required to hold events in two different locations, all conspired to make holding the event with less than 60 days to pull it off became impractical.

This was to be the first time a Canadian team was involved in the game, which has become one of the major marketing initiatives for the league in recent years.

No new talks are currently planned between the league and players, although there are suggestions that could change this weekend.

 

 

Comments

[80s Leafs]

As Jerry would say, "That's a shame." Well done, owners and players. There's no H(ockey) in "irrelevancy."

[Doug Stephens]

Those who are acquainted with WW II history may recall the 'scorched earth' approach used by the Russians to keep assets away from the enemy. Bettman, obviously a student of such history, has adopted a similar approach to deny the NHLPA a deal on anything but the NHL's terms. The 'attacking' players will get nothing...we (the NHL) will destroy this game (and perhaps the game as a whole) in order to achieve 'total victory', which in this case is the total destruction of the NHLPA.

Sad. And pathetic.

[Ray]

Good, the N H L is taking a year off!! Doesn't, affect the normal guy anyway., it,s only a playground for bullies and money guy? As for me and my family we will continue to hope we have enough money for rent, groceries and maybe a Tim's coffee once a week. It,s more important to PRAY than it is to PLAY !!!!!