Whats next for the Winter Classic?

Detroit.

Plain and simple. One of the original 6 teams. One of the most storied franchises in the NHL. Hockeytown, USA.

Why would anyone argue against the Red Wings hosting the 2013 Winter Classic? They would be a fool and that is about the only explanation for it.

The Red Wings have hoisted Lord Stanley's Cup 11 times since the league formed. Third most behind only Toronto (13) and Montreal (23), also part of the "Original 6".

Now the sceptic would ask "Where do you play the game?". Simple, Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers. Even though Ford Field would make a tremendous spot it is not outside. Thus, eliminating it from debate. It wouldn't exactly be in the heart of Detroit but there is no harm in contacting the folks over in Ann Arbor and checking in on Michigan Stadium. The Big House is home to the Michigan Wolverines and could seat well over 100,000 people. It would be tough for the NHL to sell that many tickets, but believe me, people will buy them all.

So the question becomes, "Who do they play?".

Chicago? No.

Vancouver? No.

Columbus? .... Let's get real.

St. Louis? Possibly, but lets do one better.

(drum roll please).......

Enter the Colorado Avalanche.

One of the most heated rivalries in hockey over the past 10-15 years has lost some flavor in recent seasons with the Avs having not had the most success since the departure of longtime leaders Joe Sakic and injury riddled Peter Forsberg, who bounced around the NHL like a pinball before finally crash landing back in Colorado before retiring again this past off season.

The only team that would make sense other than the Avs is the Blackhawks and we've 'been there, done that' with the Winter Classic in 2009 when the Hawks hosted the Wings at Wrigley Field. As intriguing as a match up with the Canucks would be, the Canadian teams seem hesitant to play in our version of their Heritage Classic.

Not to mention, think about that Alumni Game. Stevie Y, Sergei Federov, Dino Ciccarelli for the Wings, Patrick Roy, Sacic, and Claude Lemieux for the Avs. My mouth savors over the possibilities of this match up.

Either way, the NHL will not lead us down the wrong path with this game. (Sorry Isles, Yotes, and Preds fans.) They will put a game on that the fans want to watch. A game they can get invested in, two teams poised for playoff runs with two different attitudes and two different philosophies.

So where does the Winter Classic go from here?

Its no secret that Gary Bettman has told the Washington Capitals that they would receive a home game. Expect that in 2014, possibly hosting the Bruins. A match up that would feature two of the more predominant teams of the late 2000's.

Minnesota also has been chomping at the bit to host a game. But the NHL has been hesitant to do so with the Wild having not been overly successful over recent years. The team is much improved this season and looks to sustain success to hold on to a playoff spot. They currently sit 6th in the Western Conference but are only 3 points behind Vancouver in the Northwest Division after going 1-6-3 over their last 10 games.

Questions and comments to Phlyers1967@gmail.com I hope you enjoyed reading and please share with your friends.