Updated: January 2, 2008, 10:58 AM ET

The outdoors are great, but this should not become a regular NHL fixture

Burnside By Scott Burnside
ESPN.com
Archive
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- No matter how much of this snowy, boisterous outdoor affair worked, no matter what great pictures the 2008 Winter Classic made and how much fun the sellout crowd of 71,217 had, the significant warts that appeared throughout the game should give the NHL serious pause before it journeys down this road again.

The question is whether a league that repeatedly has confused "cash grab" with "way of life" can restrain itself long enough to make the right decisions.


Read full story

ESPN Conversations


You must be signed in to post a comment

Already have an account?

You are fully responsible for the content you post. Content that includes profanity, personal attacks or antisocial behavior (such as "spamming" or "trolling"), or other inappropriate content or material will be removed. We reserve the right to block any user who violates our terms of use, including removing all content posted by that user.

THE WINTER CLASSIC

The NHL hosted the first regular-season outdoor game in the United States on Jan. 1, 2008 as the Penguins and Sabres squared off at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y.

GAME DAY

• Recap: Crosby's SO winner caps magic day
• Burnside: This should not be regular NHL event
• Burnside: Grading the Winter Classic
• ZOOM: Photos from Ralph Wilson Stadium
• In-game blog
• Outdoor game brings out tailgaters
• Winter Classic highlights Video

NEWS

• Winter Classic draws big TV numbers
• Slight rule changes for outdoor game

ANALYSIS

• Burnside: Players embrace outdoors atmosphere
• Faceoff: Gimmick or celebration of heritage?
• Burnside: The man behind the outdoor magic
• Burnside: This time, more at risk for NHL

WATCH

• Hradek: A preview of The Winter Classic ESPN Video
• Melrose: Why Winter Classic is a good thing ESPN Video

MORE NHL HEADLINES

HOTTEST CONVERSATIONS

ESPN Community »

MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM

Most Sent »