Caps out, Flyers in for Winter Classic?

"NHL sources have confirmed to WEEI.com that the Philadelphia Flyers have taken the lead as the opponent for the Boston Bruins [for the 2010 Winter Classic]. Multiple reports had named the Washington Capitals as the leader in the clubhouse to take on the B’s on New Year’s Day, but multiple hockey sources revealed there are concerns from NBC over television ratings with the Capitals – who are being pushed by the NHL. The NBC is instead pushing for the Philadelphia Flyers, according to the source, and the odds are growing higher by the day that the Flyers will be traveling to the Fens in January. The Bruins and NHL officials are expected to make the announcement official next month in a press conference at Fenway Park. Expect the Flyers to be the hockey team that suits up against the Bruins inside the Lyric Little Bandbox on Yawkey Way." - WEEI (h/t KK)

over 2 years ago J.P. 65 comments 0 recs |

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BFD

Works for me. One less Caps game I have to hear called by Emrick.

uhh...uhh...uhh...

by hotdog88gt on Jun 22, 2009 10:16 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Too bad I only get one rec.

I’m a little disappointed, but enh. Like someone else said, let someone else screw with the hoopla and the nonsense. We’ve got bigger fish to fry this year, and the fewer distractions and less nonsense we’ve got, the better.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Jun 22, 2009 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I am shallow. I want retro Caps sweaters. (And it would be nice if all the sports fairies left the state of Pennsylvania for a while and spread the luck around.)

by CapitalCentre on Jun 22, 2009 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Hee. I don’t think the Flyers make much sense on this one, really, as an opponent for the Bruins. But, as I said above … I’d like to see the team avoid the media nonsense and keep their eyes on the prize this year.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Jun 23, 2009 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions

On the other hand, hasn’t the away team won both of them so far?

by gfcaps fan on Jun 23, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes

And the winner has advanced to the Cup finals each year.

by Scott in Shaw on Jun 23, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes

And proceeded to lose in the finals each time

by chicos_pants on Jun 23, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ll take it if it means winning in 2011.

by gfcaps fan on Jun 23, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

You’re gonna write off 2010 already?

That feat has only been accomplished by the Pens. Both of our theories suffer from deficient sample size.

by chicos_pants on Jun 23, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, if I could get a guarantee for that one, yes, I’d accept losing in the finals in 2010. Of course, nothing is guaranteed. Just seemed like a joke worth making.

by gfcaps fan on Jun 23, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Minor details, my friend!

by Scott in Shaw on Jun 23, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

So Caps vs NYR at Yankee Stadium in 2011?

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by Sombrero Guy on Jun 22, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

How about the current largest football park in the US and Canada, FedEx (weather permitting, of course)?

by red army line on Jun 23, 2009 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions

You hit the nail on the hammer as to why it won’t happen. The weather just isn’t consistent enough to get a decent rink, although I’m not sure it would be any worse than the VC ice.

"And next year it will be ours."

by Ovechwin on Jun 23, 2009 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Some winters it does, some it doesn’t.

by red army line on Jun 23, 2009 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions

DC is never going to be a good destination for the Winter Classic, not as long as there’s a chance it will rain (and there’s always that chance).

by brs03 on Jun 23, 2009 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions

How about the current largest >>>>professional<<<< football park in the US and Canada, FedEx

college football fan chiming in with the capacity numbers. pretty insane to think that FedEx is just about as big as tiger stadium in baton rouge, though.

by Natty Bumppo on Jun 23, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Ottawa vs. Washington was suggested on another board. I sort of like that from a friendly national rivalry perspective — isn’t the NHL the only league that includes teams from two countries’ capital cities?

by CapitalCentre on Jun 23, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

that would be an interesting match-up. Maybe only interesting to the foreign policy geeks that populate both cities and would thus try to understand US-Canadian relations via the outcome of the game, but interesting. :)

by RedBirdie on Jun 23, 2009 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay, first of all, the team that league pushes is the PENS and they have already played in one. Second of all, the Flyers have no bankable stars, unless you count that guy who stole Carrot Top’s hair and I don’t. Ovie is more interesting than all of them put together. And even then, there are about eleventy billion other teams that are more interesting/higher TV rated than the Flyers. This rumor=lame.

by zambonirider on Jun 22, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

yeah but NBC loves to have games featuring the Rangers or the Flyers because they are large TV markets, and more traditional hockey markets. I haven’t actually checked, but I would bet that the rags and flyers would fall behind only the Pens in number of nationally televised games last season.

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by Sombrero Guy on Jun 22, 2009 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions

On NBC, at least. The Caps had like 11 regular season games on NBC/Versus. And actually NYR got to the limit for NBC appearances/single season (4) before the Pens.

by red army line on Jun 23, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

One less Caps game I have to hear called by Emrick.

times 10,000

i am fine with this perceived slight, let these two teams masturabe each other to the glory days of 1975 while we focus on the 2010 Cup.

Russian Machine Never Breaks

by macvechkin on Jun 22, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

Well, I guess I can save my money I would have spent to go to that game and instead focus on trying to get to Vancouver to catch a team Russia game instead.

Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.

by CapitalsKremlin on Jun 22, 2009 10:38 PM EDT reply actions

damn, Winter Classic was going to be my excuse not to spend New Years in the Dominican.

by RedBirdie on Jun 22, 2009 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

Kinda weird how this report comes out right after Mcphee says he’s doubtful the Caps will play in the Winter Classic.

We’ve heard these rumors go both ways. I don’t think the NHL has made a decision yet. We’ll find out when they announce it.

by B19 on Jun 22, 2009 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

Bummer

Although it’s not as exciting because they’re doing it every year now (and maybe even twice next season), this is a really cool event. I was hoping we’d be in it this year.

by fitz58 on Jun 22, 2009 10:52 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t think playing in the Winter Classic has any advantage, it’s clearly a cool experience for the players and the fanbase, but that’s about it, and there’s little if any carryover for the rest of the year.

The ice is trash and the weather could be bad, real bad if it’s rainy/sleeting/snowing. Receipe for a pulled groin or a hammy, if you ask me. The Wings/Hawks game was better quality than the Pens/Sabres but even then it’s still more of an exhibition, slow-motion game rather than one that counts in the standings.

A cool idea, but definitely not a terrible game to miss out on, IMO.

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 22, 2009 10:55 PM EDT reply actions

What’s with all the Emrick hate? I’ve always thought he’s one of the best there is.

This is too bad, just cause I could have easily gone, what with friends who have an apartment in Boston. I was also looking forward to OV in the throwback jersey. Oh well. Maybe now we can revive that “Outdoor game on the Mall” suggestion that was going around last winter.

by katzistan on Jun 22, 2009 11:01 PM EDT reply actions

If you’ve been listening to him for a few seasons, he gets boring and annoying. I like Joe B + Eddie Olczyk on Versus, Gary Thorne and Bill Clement from ESPN (although for the past few years I’ve had to live with them on NHL 07-09), and John Forslund and Darryl Reaugh (I think).

by red army line on Jun 23, 2009 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

if you need your Gary Thorne fix, there is always Orioles games!

And for two glorious nights each year, he calls the Frozen Four.

by RedBirdie on Jun 23, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions

With Barry Melrose.

It was weird hearing Bucci call games in the tourney.

by red army line on Jun 23, 2009 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

And I can play NHL 09 a lot more than two nights a year and actually have the team I’m rooting for win!

by red army line on Jun 23, 2009 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Gary Thorne? Really?

by Bald Pollack on Jun 23, 2009 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions

For some of us that adopted hockey in the 90’s, he was the original Voice of the NHL. We’re noobs, I know… but I used to love Thorne calling games. Maybe it was that awesome pre-game music on ESPN that did it? Not to speak on “red army line”s behalf, but that’s my take at least…

by war_capitals on Jun 23, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ll admit that I always enjoyed Gary Thorne’s play by play for hockey

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by Sombrero Guy on Jun 23, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Me too. He and Clement were a good pair, I thought.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Jun 23, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not knocking his PBP, but if the preference over Emrick is because Thorne doesn’t/didn’t yell as much, I’ve gotta disagree.

by Bald Pollack on Jun 23, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure they both got loud, but Gary Thorne was smooth like butter and Mike Emrick shrieks.

Forslund and Reaugh I like. Joe B is good enough. Mike Fornes – classic.

Russian Machine Never Breaks

by macvechkin on Jun 23, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure they both got loud, but Gary Thorne was smooth like butter and Mike Emrick shrieks.

Sorry, don’t see it. Thorne’s Cup ending calls were long-winded. Less is more pal. Ask Pat Summerall. Drink in the booth more.

by Bald Pollack on Jun 23, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Thorne has one of those wonderful sports voices. You don’t even have to really listen what he’s saying, just enjoy the sound of him. (Jon Miller is the same way. What a wonderful wonderful voice to listen to)

I’m totally in the Emrick-is-a-shrieker camp and nothing he says can ever make up for the nails on chalkboard quality of his voice.

by RedBirdie on Jun 23, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

There is something about the old ESPN hockey theme and Thorne’s voice which will never be replicated….ever….and that’s not a good thing.

Russian Machine Never Breaks

by macvechkin on Jun 23, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I loved the ESPN hockey theme. It was my ringtone for a while. Still have it on my iPod.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Jun 23, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I loved the ESPN hockey theme. It was my ringtone for a while. Still have it on my iPod.

I held onto a 2K sports game for the longest time because of it.

Thorne has one of those wonderful sports voices. You don’t even have to really listen what he’s saying, just enjoy the sound of him.

Vin Scully wonders why the property values just went down in his neighborhood.

by Bald Pollack on Jun 23, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I hate to say it, but Versus is growing on me. Seems like they’ve improved each year…and I love the fact that ESPN has a bit (albeit a small bit) of competition. As long as VS continues too improve keep ESPN away from hockey.

/granted I have a hatred for ESPN that is comparable to…well nothing.

by Yoshietree on Jun 23, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

ditto. Loved the drama he could set in the game telling the back story.

by chockster on Jun 23, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I may be mistaken, but Emrick’s recent trademark has been:

“Ovechkin comes down the wing, shoots and OHHH OHHHHH OHHHHHH OHHHH OHHHH OHHHHHHH wide right!”

Just a horrible painter with words.

Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.

by CapitalsKremlin on Jun 23, 2009 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, pretty much. I like that he seems to be pretty evenhanded (though I’d like to see what happens if he had to call a nationally televised Devils game for some reason), but someone needs to tell him that not every shot needs to be screamed about as if it was life or death.

Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!

by JustinM on Jun 23, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions

I like exactly 3 things about games on NBC:
1) Everyone else can see how good the Capitals actually are
2) They shut up after a goal and switch to a close-up of the celebration
3) That video they make before the start of the 3rd, 1st OT, 2nd OT, etc…

by red army line on Jun 23, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

So much for that Battle of Pennsylvania Flyers/Pens game in 2012 at Penn State … but I guess that means I get to root against the Bullies. It will be just like at home!

I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!

by Scotty Hockey on Jun 22, 2009 11:22 PM EDT reply actions

Rule #1 of NBC: Always show Pittsburgh, New York, Boston and Philly when possible.

I wouldn’t rule out Pens/Flyers in State College at any time….That’d be a great atmosphere. Other teams and venues deserve the chance, but we all know Bettman’s bending over for NBC at every beck and call, why would that change?

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 22, 2009 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Not so much Boston. Only 1 NBC reg season game this year.

by red army line on Jun 23, 2009 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, substitute Detroit for Boston.

by gfcaps fan on Jun 23, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

At least Detroit is legit. Everyone nowadays knows Detroit and their players.

by red army line on Jun 23, 2009 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow, I can’t figure out why they would pick the Flyers over the Caps. From a marketing standpoint, the Caps are the sexier team with the super star, and their fanbase seems to have the most room to grow.

Boston should play Montreal, though, or maybe the Rangers. Some matchup of the Original Six.

Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.

by Ben Rothenberg on Jun 23, 2009 1:14 AM EDT reply actions

I think it goes back to what Hooks Orpik said – rule #1 of NBC is to pick Pittsburgh, Boston, New York, and Philly wherever available.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Jun 23, 2009 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions

FWIW, the Caps had 7 Versus games, 2 Hockey Night in Canada appearances and up to 4 NBC games scheduled, while the Flyers had 7/3/5. Guess they are a more attractive draw to the networks.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Jun 23, 2009 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions

They are only more attractive because they have a larger fanbase. This is NBC we’re talking about here.

by :hsughrofl: on Jun 23, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Doubtful that Montreal gets into it, well, ever unless they do in fact switch to two a year. Canadian teams don’t get them the ratings they want.

by brs03 on Jun 23, 2009 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Plus they had the first one (okay, okay, Heritage Classic) against Edmonton. I don’t think they want to repeat teams yet if they can help it.

Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!

by JustinM on Jun 23, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

dumb dumb dumb

it makes all the sense to pick the Caps over the Flyers. the Flyers are a team that are much more likely to host a game than the Caps so having them go to Boston is just not a smart move. granted Pittsburgh could probably host one too and they went to Buffalo, but still the point is that is is very unlikely that DC would ever host a game so yeah let’s not have a game with the reigning 2 time MVP so we can show the Flyers….. smart move NBC.

so I guess (as someone mentioned) this sets us up to play the Rags in one of these. However, I think the next one would probably be out west so really not picking the Caps this year is just in a word….. dumb.

by nuftjedi on Jun 23, 2009 3:24 AM EDT reply actions

plus

yeah the Flyers may have a larger audience under normal circumstances, but again it comes down to Ovie. People will watch the game to see him…… period.

by nuftjedi on Jun 23, 2009 3:40 AM EDT up reply actions

NBC is just waiting to get the Capitals against the West team they beat for the ’Cup, be patient fellow Capitals fans (and you crazy visitors, too).

by war_capitals on Jun 23, 2009 10:08 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Well, looks like a little shift in my plans

As a precautionary, I actually booked a room in Boston for the Winter Classic weekend when the Caps were rumored as a possible choice. Heck, a few hotels are already booked for that weekend. If it looks like the Caps won’t be playing I might still go. Room’s refundable, but the experience is not.

by chockster on Jun 23, 2009 11:39 PM EDT reply actions

honestly, I’m wondering how much of this might be Bettman & Friends trying to prevent everyone from knowing for sure who will be playing until he is good and ready to make the announcement. Bettman and the rest of them are total control freaks, and I bet the idea of everyone and their mother knowing prior to the big media announcement that the Bruins will host the Caps and Fenway drives them mad.

by RedBirdie on Jun 24, 2009 12:01 AM EDT reply actions

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