Word spread like wildfire among the hockey community Tuesday when TSN broke the NHL’s plans to host a five game “stadium series” in 2014, in addition to the outdoor Winter Classic, a league tradition since 2008.
Although the NHL has yet to officially confirm its plans, sources revealed that the series will begin just weeks after the already confirmed Winter Classic event between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Jan. 1.
With hopes to compensate for the cancellation of this year’s Winter Classic due to the NHL lockout, if all goes as planned, the 2014 “stadium series” will include the Ducks, Kings, Blackhawks and Canucks from the Western Conference, and the Devils, Rangers, Islanders, Penguins and Senators from the Eastern Conference.
With the Devils’ playoff ambitions withering away, having lost 10 consecutive games since March 23, this news comes as a breath of fresh air.
“I know if it happens, I’ll be excited to be a part of it,” Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur said after the team’s afternoon skate on Wednesday. “Our shot here in New Jersey with one game a year is not that great, but with six games we maybe have a chance to beat one of them [laughs]. We’ll be happy if it happens.”
According to TSN, the Devils would be the “home” team in a game against the Rangers at Yankee Stadium on Jan. 26 as part of the series. It would be the first of two games that would occur at the famous Bronx venue during the series. The second would also feature the Rangers, this time with the Islanders as their opponent on Jan. 29.
“Obviously Yankee Stadium is Yankee Stadium so it’s pretty cool to experience something like that, especially there,” Devils forward Stephen Gionta said. “It’s one of the historic ballparks, so it’s pretty cool.”
Unlike the Rangers, who participated in the 2012 Winter Classic vs. the Flyers, and several of the other teams expected to take part in the five game series, the Devils have yet to be a part of a Winter Classic, or any event of that nature.
“I think it’s nice that some markets will get affected a little more. It seems to be a lot of the same areas all the time with the teams out west and in the New York area,” Brodeur said.
“Every player can’t wait to be part of it and the fans can embrace these type of things.”
When asked if a five-game series would take away from the originality of the main Winter Classic event and the glorification of the two teams that are chosen every year, Devils forward Alexei Ponikarovsky said, “I wouldn’t say so, I think people would like to see actually more games like that [the Winter Classic].”
Gionta added, “I think if you get too many it kind of takes away from it but with a couple a year I think it still keeps its effectiveness.”
Though the Devils were happy to share their feelings regarding the announcement, head Coach Peter DeBoer admitted to it being of little to no concern to him given the current situation his team is in. He said, “I’m just worried about the next six games here at the end of the season.”
“Obviously it’s a great event, it’s become a staple of the NHL. I think anyone who’s involved has spoken about how great of an experience it is, but that’s not even anywhere near the forefront of my mind.”
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Projected 2014 “Stadium Series” Schedule
Ducks vs. Kings at Dodger Stadium, Jan. 25
Devils vs. Rangers at Yankee Stadium, Jan. 26
Islanders vs. Rangers at Yankee Stadium, Jan 29
Penguins at Blackhawks, Soldier Field, March 1
Senators at Canucks, BC Place, March 2
