Boston to host next Winter Classic?

Fenway Park could play host to the next NHL Winter Classic according to a Red Sox source and ESPN. This can only be more good news for the NHL's best advertising agent and possibly one of it's best ideas.

Boston is a high profile sports city and the inclusion of an NHL game played inside Fenway would be an instant hit for not only the cities involved but the league, as well.

I've always been a fan of the winter classic and each successive outing has outdone the previous one in some way. The first outdoor NHL game, held in Edmonton, was not part of the Winter Classic proved to be fun, albeit really cold. The second, in Buffalo, New York; was a great game with snow falling during the National Anthem and a shootout finish. The game was played in the Buffalo Bills football stadium. The third outdoor game was probably the best of the bunch, featuring the Detroit Red Wings playing the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field.

If it is now a foregone conclusion that the next Winter Classic is going to be played in Beantown then the next question is who the Bruins will be playing. Obviously, the best choice would be one of the other Original Six teams. Chicago and Detroit played last year so they should be ruled out, Toronto and Boston wouldn't be a really interesting matchup and I am really holding out for a winter classic between Montreal and Colorado (playing in Nordiques sweaters, of course), so that really leaves just the Rangers.

Would this be a good matchup? Yes.

The Rangers and Bruins have a long history together and have created a great rivalry over the years, doesn't every New York and Boston team have rivalry?

The Rangers, currently ranked seventh in the east, could potentially play the Bruins in the first round of the playoffs if the Rangers drop their last game in Philidelphia and the Canadiens win out against the Penguins.

Regardless of who the Bruins end up playing there is no doubt that the Winter Classic is the most rejuvenating event in hockey. The fans love it, players have said they love it, the league has to love the revenue in it. How much cash game into the NHL from the profits of all the limited edition Wrigley Field NHL merchandise last year? There's just an infinite amount of potential for growth in the Winter Classic.

My personal vote for the game will always be a game in Denver. Close your eyes and picture this.

It's New Year's Day, the cold air swirls around in the packed bleacher seats in Mile High stadium. The Canadiens take the ice first and begin their skate around wearing the classic Habs jerseys we all know and love. The announcer comes on to welcome the home team.

"Ladie's and Gentleman put your hands together for...the Nordiques!"

The Avalanche players skate out dressed in full in class Quebec Nordiques unis. This has been a dream of mine for about two years now and I really would love to see it become a reality. The Canadiens and Nordiques had a great rivalry years ago. That same rivalry got a new spark when St. Patrick asked to be traded to the Nordiques and then the team moved to Denver.

I can't be the only person who wants to see this.

Other matchups that would be fun to see: Phoenix versus Carolina dressed in Winnipeg Jets and Hartford Whalers colors; Dallas versus Minnesota, has a lot of interesting potential since the Stars came to Texas from Minnesota; Toronto against any southern team would work too.

There's just something almost magical and surreal about professional hcokey being played outside in the open. Regardless who the Bruins play the game will probably be a classic as will the next games after that.