The NHL officially announced its Winter Classic for January 1, 2014 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. However, rumors have spread that there may be more outdoor games taking place in the 2014 season.
According to The Fourth Period, the defending champion Los Angeles Kings have a deal in place to play an outdoor game at Dodger Stadium. According to the publication's source, the event is "basically a done deal."
More importantly, the publication asserts that this match is only the first of other outdoor matches. "Dodger Stadium won't be the only outdoor game, aside from the Winter Classic. The NHL has been involved in endless discussions with the folks over at Yankee Stadium to stage a Rangers' home game in the facility," writes The Fourth Period. "It's unclear how those conversations have progressed, as the NHL is also considering other alternative venues outside of New York, but their preference is The new House That Ruth Built."
Regarding when the matches would take place the publication predicts that "both outdoor games on the same day, possibly on Hockey Day in America, with the game in the East (likely NYC, around 1pm ET) kicking things off, followed by the game at Dodger Stadium (possibly starting at 1pm PT, 4pm ET)."
As if that were not enough, The Fourth Period also reports that there may be another outdoor game in Canada. The Heritage Classic has taken place in past years, but it is likely to make return next year and will likely feature the Vancouver Canucks.
Other teams mentioned for outdoor matches include the Minnesota Wild, the Colorado Avalanche, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Boston Bruins, and the Washington Capitals amongst others. The Bruins, Penguins, Blackhawks, and Capitals have all been part of the Winter Classic in the last few years.
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