BREAKING: 2025 Winter Classic announcement enrages NHL fans
PUBLICATION
Travis PolitakisFebruary 6, 2024 (12:02)
The Winter Classic is an annual event that the NHL hosts that is unlike any other in sports. It brings an indoor sport into the outdoor elements, while putting unique stadiums on display while also spotlighting different cities each year. From Seattle, to Nashville, to Dallas, the Winter Classic has seen hockey played in unique places.
On Tuesday the NHL announced the 2025 Winter Classic, and the location and teams involved have disappointed fans and are expected to result in a decreased viewership.
The NHL announced that the 2025 Winter Classic will be taking place in Chicago in a matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues. For Blackhawks and Blues fans this seems like an ideal matchup, but for the rest of the NHL it feels like a lack of parity.
Must read on FlyersInsider
Between the Blackhawks and Blues, the two teams have a combined eight appearances in the Winter Classic, with the Blackhawks playing host three of the five times they have been involved. The Blues have three appearances of their own in the Classic.
Not only do the teams have eight game appearances in the Winter Classic, but the teams have also matched up before in 2017 as the Blues defeated the Blackhawks 4-1.
According to prominent NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the NHL is using the 2025 Winter Classic partially as a marketing ploy to get 2023 first overall pick and young hockey sensation Connor Bedard in front of a national audience.
"I understand the frustration around this, especially with Chicago getting yet another chance. Elliotte Friedman mentioned last month that the league desperately wanted Bedard in as many events that they could get him in. It's all marketing from the NHL to show off Bedard."
Another point to note, the Winter Classic has seen a drop in viewership each of the past nine seasons, not seeing viewership go above 3 million since 2015.
This seasons classic marked the lowest viewership in the history of the event, with just 1.1 million tuning in to see the Seattle Kraken take on the defending champion Las Vegas Golden Knights.
| POLL | ||
6 FEVRIER | 103 ANSWERS BREAKING: 2025 Winter Classic announcement enrages NHL fans Does this matchup upset you? | ||
| Yes | 53 | 51.5 % |
| No | 50 | 48.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
Latest 10 stories
