Featured
Did NHL Commissioner Hint at Location for 2026 Winter Classic?
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on the NHL on TNT ahead of the 2025 Winter Classic and dropped hints to the location for next year’s game.
With the 2025 NHL Winter Classic ending, everyone is looking ahead to next year’s version of the outdoor celebration. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman gave the TNT crew a little teaser when he appeared on the pregame show. Ahead of the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues, Bettman said the next venue and game would be a little unique.
“Next week, give or take,” said Commissioner Bettman when asked when the NHL would announce the next game. “It’s going to be a little unusual. It’s going to be a little more unique. Some people think we’ve lost our minds, but we’re not ready to announce it. We will soon, and it’s going to be good.”
What is the NHL Planning For the Next Winter Classic?
We know the NHL has already agreed in principle with the Florida Panthers and the Miami Marlins to host an outdoor game next season. It will be held at LoanDepot Park, but it is unclear if it will be a Stadium Series game or a Winter Classic.
George Richards of Florida Hockey Now provided insight into what the league thinks about the Panthers hosting the outdoor game next season.
As Richards writes, the home of the Miami Marlins in Little Havana will be transformed into a tropical winter wonderland. That is unique, for sure, according to what the Commissioner said. The stadium has a retractable roof and large east-facing sliding windows.
Staying with the sentiments of Commissioner Bettman, maybe the NHL has lost its mind hosting a game in such a unique venue. However, the Panthers are the defending champions, and each one of these games is unique to the city where the game takes place.
If It’s the Panthers, Who Are They Playing?
As far as who the Panthers will be playing in either a Winter Classic or Stadium Series game, those close to Richards believe it will not be the Tampa Bay Lightning, who will host their own outdoor game potentially next season at Raymond James Stadium, the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
According to his sources, it will either be the Northeast rivals, the Boston Bruins or the New York Rangers. The leading belief is that it will be the Rangers. But that is not official yet.
The belief is also that the Winter Classic will take place on New Year’s Eve again because of the College Football Playoff.
Expect the announcement in the next week or two.
Next: Auston Matthews Murky Injury Remarks Leaves Maple Leafs in a Bind
