Minneapolis-St. Paul remains a possibility to host the NHL’s New Year’s Day Winter Classic, according to a hockey source who asked that his name not be used.
Five outdoor games have been played, with Chicago being the farthest west of the sites so far. “A lot of factors enter into the NHL’s decision about hosting the game,” the source told Sports Headliners.
He said those factors begin with what NBC wants and the potential for TV ratings. Other factors are the on-ice reputation of the host team and having a natural rival to play against, plus high profile players and a “glamorous market,” according to the source.
The Wild haven’t even been a playoff team since 2008. The franchise has been searching for a high profile scorer since the departure of Marian Gaborik to New York. The best rival for the Wild in a Winter Classic game here is Chicago. Minneapolis-St. Paul can’t match the glitz of some American markets but in this area’s favor is a national reputation for both playing and watching hockey.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is on record saying Minnesota will one day host a Winter Classic. No announcement has been made about the 2013 site but the source said Detroit may host the game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. “The league is receiving flack for not getting western teams involved,” he added.
The Cleveland baseball park will host the Ohio State versus Michigan outdoor hockey game on January 15. Tomorrow Boston’s Fenway Park will be the site of a college hockey doubleheader.
Target Field potentially could host a Minnesota Winter Classic. Although the stadium has fewer seats than TCF Bank Stadium, the venue can sell alcohol while the University’s facility does not.
Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners his organization has made its interest known in having Target Field be the site of a Winter Classic, and also he is considering a college-high school showcase. “We’ve always felt Target Field would be a fun venue for hockey,” he said.
While there’s nothing definitive to announce, St. Peter said he’s “pretty confident” that in the next 60 to 90 days the Twins will further detail plans for hockey at Target Field. Any hockey at the baseball stadium would be played in January or early February, he said.
Love Contract Talks Face Deadline
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners he will be meeting with Kevin Love and his agent Jeff Schwartz this month regarding a new contract for the All-Star forward. “It’s our intention to make every attempt to sign Kevin,”Taylor said.
Under NBA rules, the Wolves have until January 25 to negotiate with fourth-year players like Love. If a deal isn’t made by then, contract talks have to wait until after the league season.
Love will be a restricted free agent following this season. That means the Wolves could match any deal from another league team and retain him.
Speculation is Love could command a multi-year new deal paying him more than $60 million. Love, 23, has become one of the league’s elite offensive forward, averaging 25.7 points and 15 rebounds per game.
Taylor hopes to keep both Love and rookie point guard Ricky Rubio for many years. He reports “good talks” with both players. “I think and hope their main goal will be wanting to be on a winning team,”Taylor said.
The Wolves were 17-65 last season but are dramatically improved, already playing competitively despite a difficult early schedule. Taylor is hoping a nucleus of Love and Rubio will produce a lot of wins for many years.
Taylor also told Sports Headliners his franchise, despite a renaissance in public interest, will lose money again this season — perhaps $15 million. About $10 million, Taylor said, is because of the shortened pre-season and regular season caused by the NBA labor dispute.
Worth Noting
The Winter Classic this year — like the college football bowl games — was on January 2 and played during unusually mild temps in Philadelphia. Dan Craig, a River Falls native and the NHL’s ice guru, is credited for his work in having the surface ready to play.
The Wild might be looking to trade goalie Josh Harding, perhaps hoping to secure young prospects and gain payroll relief. Harding’s contract ends after this season and the team’s other main goalie, Niklas Backstrom, has an estimated salary of $6 million. The Wild probably doesn’t want to have several million dollars tied up in salaries for two goalies next season. Harding reportedly earns less than $1 million this season but figures to command a lot more in 2012.
Marian Gaborik is having an impressive season with the Rangers. He ranks second in NHL goal scoring with 23. At 29, Gaborik has entered his peak years. The native of Slovakia once spoke no English but has taught himself the language.
Former South St.Paul High School and Notre Dame hockey coaching legend Lefty Smith passed away in South Bend earlier this week. He was a St. Thomas college graduate.
Wolves second year guard Wayne Ellington remembers his rookie hazing. He had to bring center Al Jefferson a bottle of 5-hour Energy before each game. “Sometimes I would forget and…be scrambling out to try to find him one,” Ellington said last week.
This year Ellington said Wolves rookies Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams had to find baby oil for all the players. “It just goes on throughout the season,” Ellington said. “They haven’t even tasted any (major hazing) yet. They’ve had it really good so far as rookies.”
Ellington said Rubio, a native of Spain, is making progress with his English. “He’s a great guy,” Ellington said. “He’s pretty funny. He’s learning our slang pretty fast so it’s funny listening to him.”
Wolves veteran guard J.J. Barea said he’s never seen a player come into the NBA that can pass like Rubio. “…He can control the game, he can pass the ball,” Barea said recently. “He likes to play defense, he likes to play hard. So I think he’s doing a good job.”
Could Rubio one day be the league’s best point guard? “At some point definitely,” Barea said. “He keeps getting better, (and) keeps working like he’s doing. Keeps getting better on offense. Shooting wise I think he’ll be good.”
Barea’s girlfriend, 2006 Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera, is expecting a baby boy on March 5. No name decided on yet.
ESPN’s John Hollinger analyzes stats and rates former Orono prep Jon Leuer, now with Milwaukee, as the seventh most efficient rookie in the NBA. The Wolves’ Rubio is No. 10 and Williams No. 17.
