Saturday: Stadium Series Silence

This past New Year's Day the Winter Classic came and went and there really wasn't much to it. American TV ratings and interest were down again and there wasn't much to say about the game. If you thought that was bad, how about this weekend and next and the Stadium Series games.

These games are a big deal for the host cities and as long as they continue to turn a profit they will be a reality in the NHL. Outside of two cities (maybe four) these games aren't that big of a deal. In fact they haven't really been discussed all that much. Even when you bring up the jerseys there's not much to say. We accept that the NHL wants to try something different each year with the Stadium Series sweaters, but this year they combined that with some modern sensibilities. That seems to have kept the bitching to a minimum, but at the same time it has dissolved any chatter that may drum up the game.

Even take a look at the Chicago Blackhawks alumni roster that is set to hit the ice today. Okay, Jeremy Roenick is there, but after that it's pretty thin. And poor Denver. They have to follow up this mundane exhibition a week later with more of the same. Can anyone tell me what that game offers that is unique? That's what is needed to get people to tune in from other places around North America. Seeing games in historic Fenway Park and Wrigley Field was very cool and that's why we watched. Having over 100,000 fans stand out in the snow (I was one of them) in 2014 drew people to their TVs that day. We wondered how the ice would hold up in sunny Los Angeles two years ago. These outdoors games need something for us to see.

------------------------------------

The winner of the COTW vote for February 7-13 was Lucas D!

Full Results

Lucas D. (COL) - 23

Hayden D. (FLA) - 10

Dylan T. (ATL) - 8

Lucas D. (NYI) - 7

Congrats Lucas on your first COTW win!

 

Lucas makes another appearance in this week's COTW nominees. There were lots of concepts nominated and seconded. To avoid ties I take those concepts that were thirded or more, add in the competition winner, and that gives us our nominees for the week. They are listed on the side of the page in the black banner. Click the link in the poll to see the concepts or go to the CONCEPT OF THE WEEK tab. If you have a Google account you will be able to vote in the poll. Voting will close Friday at 11:59pm Eastern.

------------------------------------

The winner of the White Jersey Competition was Dylan N's New York Rangers concept!

Full Results

Dylan's concept moves into the exclusive COTW vote. Can his entry replicate what Matt M's entry did last month? Time will tell and so will your votes. The competition winners moving into the COTW vote puts a bit more pressure on everyone to come up with a solid entry. Anyone disagree and not like the winner moving on?

------------------------------------

 

One competition ends, another begins! I wanted to do a double blue competition, but I thought that might be a bit too vague and not challenge you guys enough. I also like to keep the competitions accessible to all skill levels. A simple ReDesign is the best way to do that. I thought of some of my favourite double blue teams and I remembered the Chicago Express of the ECHL. This week we will be ReDesigning the defunct franchise. Click the banner at the top of the blog for all of the rules, or you can go to the CHICAGO EXPRESS page. Entries are due on Friday at 10:59pm Eastern.

------------------------------------

Quick poll: What is the best Stadium Series jersey yet? Answer below and I'll publish the results next week.

*New Jersey doesn't make this list because they used a throwback and not a jersey designed specifically for the game*

------------------------------------

COTW Feb 14-20 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

Chicago Express entries (due Friday @ 10:59pm Eastern)