Sportsnet Bruins considering outdoor games for 2021

[Fenway]

Four NHL teams exploring possibility of playing outdoor home games

Let’s begin this quickie blog with a caveat: it’s a long shot.

But…at least four NHL teams are investigating the possibility of playing home games in outdoor stadia if it will allow them to have fans in attendance.

Again, there are no guarantees in COVID times, “but it is being explored,” one executive said Wednesday.

None of the clubs would comment, but they are Anaheim, Boston, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. According to multiple sources, it was the Kings who first considered the idea several months ago. Owner Anschutz Entertainment Group also owns Dignity Health Sports Park, located 15 miles from the Kings’ home, Staples Center.

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[McGarnagle]

Four NHL teams exploring possibility of playing outdoor home games

Let’s begin this quickie blog with a caveat: it’s a long shot.

But…at least four NHL teams are investigating the possibility of playing home games in outdoor stadia if it will allow them to have fans in attendance.

Again, there are no guarantees in COVID times, “but it is being explored,” one executive said Wednesday.

None of the clubs would comment, but they are Anaheim, Boston, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. According to multiple sources, it was the Kings who first considered the idea several months ago. Owner Anschutz Entertainment Group also owns Dignity Health Sports Park, located 15 miles from the Kings’ home, Staples Center.

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Where would they be able to set up? An unused college football stadium? Gillette after the Pats season ends?

Also, lol @ Anaheim and LA trying to play outdoors in March/April in Southern California

 

[Gator Mike]

 

[Fenway]

Where would they be able to set up? An unused college football stadium? Gillette after the Pats season ends?

Also, lol @ Anaheim and LA trying to play outdoors in March/April in Southern California

The thought process is similar in Boston and Pittsburgh.

The Bruins have been in contact with state and city officials about different options. I had heard specific mention of Fenway Park, and was told that is in an “exploratory phase,” but it was stressed all venue options are being considered.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

Where would they be able to set up? An unused college football stadium? Gillette after the Pats season ends?

Also, lol @ Anaheim and LA trying to play outdoors in March/April in Southern California

My guess is Harvard Stadium or Alumni Stadium

 

[Fenway]

The Bruins issued a statement confirming the reports, but stressed it was in the early stages:

“We are in consistent contact with the NHL as well as officials from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston, and are exploring all possible venue options for the upcoming season - including Fenway Park. At this point we are in the exploratory phase.”

 

[CharaBadSenyshynGawd]

Just based off what I know about the Fenway ground crew and the concessions made for them during concerts I don’t see it happening there.

 

[Fenway]

My guess is Harvard Stadium or Alumni Stadium

Harvard is the most isolated and no parking lots so.....................

 

[BruinDust]

You have to wonder how the Bruins players feel about this.

Sure, for players on a one-off basis it's unique and trilling to play an outdoor game. But frequently as a means to have fans attend some games this season? I don't know. Doubtful they be playing in front of a pack stadium or Fenway. So that part of the magic would be gone. You'd basically be playing outdoors in front of a few thousand fans.

 

[KrejciMVP]

Quality of the ice is the biggest concern

 

[Therick67]

Can't see this happening...

 

[Chevalier du Clavier]

Pierre LeBrun is reporting that Carolina, Dallas, Nashville, and Florida also are considering it. He guesses that there are more. However, some are not considering it: Buffalo, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Washington, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and both New York teams. None of the Canadian NHL teams look like options right now due to COVID-19 and crowd restrictions.

 

[talkinaway]

Sure, the ice quality at Fenway (or Harvard, or any college outdoor stadium) might stink. But when you look at the baseline at the Garden, is it that much of a downgrade?

The teams might be angling for ways to be attractive to the NHL in terms of hosting games. Hell, it might be a gambit to get TD Garden to open with concessions (no, not food and drink - the kind where you give stuff up.) Obviously, if the games start in January, all 31 clubs are NOT going to have inside stadiums with fans. You may as well try outside - even if there are no fans, it's safer for the players and other workers, and it creates event television.

Of course, there are so many downsides that I see it difficult to pull off. Red Sox start on April 1, which, at this point, looks like the midpoint of an NHL season. Colleges might have thrown in the towel for winter sports, but have they given up on spring already? (That's a genuine question; I don't know.) Not to mention that the 2021 season is going to have plenty of COVID postponements/cancellations - look at what happened in the MLB (no bubble, outside - still quite a few games bumped), NFL (have they had a week without a cancelled game?), and Hockey East. Do you want to add "rain delays" to a list of reasons why a hockey game won't be played?

 

[Aeroforce]

I'd be curious to see the cost of constructing and maintaining these outdoor rinks vs. the revenue generated by however many fans are allowed to attend. This is especially true in cities that aren't particularly cold, which is further complicated by how late the season is likely to start.

 

[Sheppy]

Damn. Selfishly I find outdoor games brutal to watch...

 

[Kate08]

What’s the point of this?

zero chance the city lets fans in until covid gets more under control.

 

[roflstomper]

1. MA is not going to allow fans in attendance until Spring and Fenway would then be unavailable.
2. No one is paying money to go sit out in Fenway in Feb/Mar to have an obstructed shit view of a hockey game.
3. The cost to do this kind of defeats the purpose of somehow trying to get 10-20 percent attendance does it not?

 

[stungun54]

too expensive cant see it happening. maybe they could do it for multiple games but the whole season ? Doubt the money and the restrictions add up to a profitable way to get this to work.

 

[chizzler]

Damn. Selfishly I find outdoor games brutal to watch...

Plus the fact your freezing your butt off. Overrated! How of the game can you actually see?

 

[KrejciMVP]

Plus the fact your freezing your butt off. Overrated! How of the game can you actually see?

Jacobs can sell hand and feet warmers

 

[BigGoalBrad]

Pittsburgh is considering them for fans and to make money.

We are probably considering them so we can actually play in Boston. Rinks might be ordered shut when the season kicks off here and we aren't allowed at Warrior if youth teams can't play see the 49ers.

 

[Fenway]

 

[SanDogBrewin]

My guess is Harvard Stadium or Alumni Stadium

That would be cool.

 

[Gopher13]

Jacobs would play a game in Hell if he could make money.

 

[Centrum Hockey]

Foxborough has the infrastructure to host the bruins for a homestand but the winter classic there wasn't very well received.