The first of two NHL Stadium Series games happening this weekend concluded with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman revealing the location of the 2025 Stadium Series game. He announced that the Columbus Blue Jackets will finally participate in an outdoor game when they host the Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium, the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Bettman made this announcement during an interview at the Devils-Flyers game at MetLife Stadium, and the NHL X account later confirmed the news.
Out of the 31 NHL teams, 29 have already played in outdoor games. In fact, the Flyers were playing their sixth outdoor game on Friday, which ties them with the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins for the most appearances by a team. The Phoenix Coyotes and Florida Panthers are the only two teams that have not yet made an outdoor appearance. However, the Blue Jackets’ absence from the outdoor games was particularly noticeable. They play in a city with a cooler climate, and the iconic venue of The Horseshoe was a perfect fit for these types of games.
The reasons for this delay are unknown. There may have been difficulties in reaching an agreement with Ohio State to host the game. Additionally, the Blue Jackets were not at the top of the list when it comes to NHL rivalries. While star players can often secure an outdoor game for their team, the timing didn’t work out for the Blue Jackets. The Rick Nash era was too early, and the Panarin-Bobrovsky era was inconsistent.
Personally, I don’t understand the delay, but I’m excited that the Blue Jackets will finally have the opportunity to host an outdoor game. It’s also a chance to see the rising Detroit Red Wings team. I’ve always wanted to witness a game at The Horseshoe, so now that it’s becoming a reality, I’d love to hear where you would like to see an NHL outdoor game. Feel free to send your suggestions to [email protected].
According to the Source outkick.com