Report: Four Teams Exploring Playing All Home Games Outdoors

Imagine the Winter Classic every time your favorite team plays a home game? 

Well, according to a report from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, four NHL teams are exploring playing all of their home games outside.

I'm not sure it's possible; the odds are against it -- but four NHL teams are looking into the possibility of playing their home games outdoors. Can't fault anyone for considering their options: https://t.co/7EBe4WQ2Vc

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 3, 2020

According to the report, the teams are the Anaheim Ducks, LA Kings, Boston Bruins and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

This ALL comes down to money, and the teams are wondering if they can host more fans outside than inside and have the facilities to accommodate, why not go with this approach instead. There's been rumblings every team will lose roughly $50-75 million if they play a season with no or limited fans in attendance, meanwhile each team will only lose roughly $15 million if the season gets cancelled.

Friedman also reports:

The other major issue would be approval from players and opponents. Apparently, a survey completed by all 31 teams indicated several would not be thrilled with the idea of switching between indoor and outdoor venues during the season.

That said, I can’t fault these four teams from researching the idea, attempting to maximize revenue in a league so dependent on gate revenue. If ever there was a season to try something, this is it.

This has to be one of the most interesting times the NHL has ever seen. Stay tuned, it's getting more weird by the day. 

Photo credit: Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire