2012- New York Rangers v.s. Philadelphia Flyers at Citizens Bank Park
Well I was right on the money with this one.
2013- Minnesota Wild v.s. Detroit Red Wings at Comerica Park
Why Detroit? It is known that Detroit is in talks to host a winter classic one of these next two years, but here is why I think it will be next year. Detroit is a very good team that is certainly one of the NHL's marquee teams, but who knows when they will start to decline. While they are still prominent, they need to get the game in Hockeytown USA as soon as possible.
Why Minnesota? The Wild have one of the most passionate fan bases in the NHL and Minnesota is crazy about their hockey. Assuming the Wild sustain their play, they will make the playoffs and should be a higher seed, which means it is likely that they have a deep playoff run. Given the Wild's success and the fact that Minnesota craves their hockey, the Wild would be a great matchup for the Red Wings in the Winter Classic.
Other Possible Teams: St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins
Why Comerica Park? The other rumored option besides Comerica is the Big House. Here's why I hate the idea of having the Winter Classic at the Big House. I understand it is a historic venue, but the sightlines look terrible and there isn't really much of a panoramic view. A game at Comerica would show off the Detroit skyline, something the Big House could not do.
2014- Toronto Maple Leafs v.s. New York Rangers at MetLife Stadium
Why New York? The Rangers are one of the most prominent franchises in the NHL and I'll make a prediction that by the time the 2014 Classic rolls around, the Rangers will have appeared or even won a Stanley Cup. So it makes sense to have a contending Rangers team host their first Winter Classic.
Why Toronto? Canada can easily make a case to have one of their teams appear or even host a Winter Classic and since Toronto should be a marquee team, they would be perfect to play the Rangers in an original six matchup.
Other Possible Teams: New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks
Why MetLife Stadium? It's too bad Yankee Stadium has a bowl game during this time, because the game would certainly have went there. But MetLife Stadium is one of the nicer football stadiums around now and I think it is a slightly better venue than Citi Field.
2015- Tampa Bay Lightning v.s. Washington Capitals at Nationals Park
Why Washington? Alex Ovechkin is the face of the NHL and it makes perfect sense to have the Capitals host a Winter Classic in our nations capital.
Why Tampa Bay? Steven Stamkos is another one of the NHL's biggest stars and given his electric play, as long as Tampa Bay is a playoff caliber team, it makes sense to have Stamkos and the Lightning take part in a Winter Classic.
Other Possible Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks
Why Nationals Park? Nationals Park has a beautiful panorama of the Capitol Building among other highlights of D.C. I also think its a prettier site than having the game at cavernous FedEx Field.
2016- Edmonton Oilers v.s. Chicago Blackhawks at Soldier Field
Why Chicago? They haven't appeared in Winter Classic since 2009 and it makes sense for this game to be at Soldier Field because it will show beautiful images of Chicago along with a classic waterfront setting for the game. The Blackhawks will also be prominent because they are an original six team that features stars like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.
Why Edmonton? Ever hear of the Nuge? Or Taylor Hall? Or any of the other young guns the Oilers have? Well, by 2016, the Oilers will be a perennial Stanley Cup contender that will provide a great matchup for the Blackhawks.
Other Possible Teams: St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens
Why Soldier Field? Like I said earlier, its a perfect setting on the water front and we've also already seen the game at Wrigley Field.
2017- Boston Bruins v.s. New York Rangers at Yankee Stadium
Why New York? They're an original six team, they most likely will remain a prominent franchise and they play in the biggest market in the NHL.
Why Boston? Come on, it's Bruins/Rangers, what's better than that.
Why Yankee Stadium? It's obviously one of the most famous stadiums in the world. I'm banking on that stupid bowl game not being there by the time 2017 rolls around.
2018- Montreal Canadiens v.s. Boston Bruins at Fenway Park
Why Boston? Given their youth they currently have, they should still be a marquee team even this far into the future. I understand that this would be the second consecutive appearance in the Winter Classic, but why not, they deserve it.
Why Montreal? This is hockey's best rivalry, there isn't another choice.
Why Fenway Park? It's an iconic stadium and it was a success the first time.
2019- Los Angeles Kings v.s. Colorado Avalanche at Coors Field
Why Colorado? Colorado should be good again by the time the next decade rolls around.
Why Los Angeles? It's a big market and they should hopefully remain prominent.
Why Coors Field? I chose Coors instead of Invesco because I believe it provides better sightlines and better views of Denver. It also has plenty of seats, so profit shouldn't be a problem.
2020- New York Islanders v.s. Pittsburgh Penguins at PNC Park
Why Pittsburgh? It would be nearly a decade since the last time they hosted this event. Not only that, this could be the last time stars like Sidney Crosby and Evengi Malkin play in such a big event.
Why New York? I'm banking that they will have a ton of stars that the NHL has to market them in the Winter Classic.
Why PNC Park? It might be the most beautiful ballpark in baseball, so it has to host a Winter Classic sooner or later.
2021- Dallas Stars v.s. Minnesota Wild at Target Field
Why Minnesota? They play in a state that loves hockey, they have to host it sometime.
Why Dallas? It would be a great matchup since the Stars once played in Minnesota.
Why Target Field? Like PNC Park, Target Field shows off the Minnesota skyline and it would make it a great place to host the Classic.
2022- Montreal Canadiens v.s. Toronto Maple Leafs at Some Cool New Stadium in Toronto
Why Toronto? It's the Maple Leafs!
Why Montreal? It's the Canadiens!
Why Some New Stadium? The NHL would love to have a game in Canada, but there aren't any reasonable locations. So I'm assuming ten years from now there will be a beautiful new outdoor stadium in Toronto to host the Winter Classic.
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