The NHL has a lot of outdoor games. Already this season, they’ve had two and there’s still one more on the way.

This year, there was also the added World Juniors outdoor game, which actually proved to be one of the more exciting outdoor games in recent hockey history. Combine the snowing conditions with good ice and a game that actually matters, and the result was stronger than we’ve seen in recent years.

However, IIHF president Rene Fasel was asked about the potential for future outdoor games, and while throwing some shade at the NHL, he made a fairly wise assessment.

The NHL has almost certainly overdone it with outdoor games. 10 years ago, the Winter Classic was an interesting idea to feature two teams on a National Stage in a unique experience. Combined with the fact that it was attached to the first behind-the-scenes hockey series (HBO’s 24/7) there was a lot of hype and the product was great.

Since then, interest has waned and the most recent Winter Classic between the Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers brought in the lowest ratings in years.

Not only has it become an every-year event for the NHL, but they do multiple outdoor games a season and they always seem to feature the same teams *cough* Blackhawks *cough*. So, Fasel is probably right to avoid committing to an outdoor game every season – although if it returns to the US, it appears as if they would be open to it.

If the tournament ends up going overseas at some point, there are some very interesting places they can host it. Just look how beautiful the scene was at this outdoor game in Budapest last year.

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