OILERS WANT RANGERS FOR OUTDOOR GAME
Messier and Co. would be major coup.
(Dan Barnes - Edmonton Journal)
It's Nov. 22, 2003, and cold as heck outside, but there is only one place to be in this city: Commonwealth Stadium.
The Oilers and New York Rangers are set to clash on an outdoor rink situated smack dab in the middle of Edmonton's football palace, with an NHL-record crowd of 40,000-plus in attendance.
The Oilers have donned specially designed throwback jerseys to commemorate the start of their 25th season in the league.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is on hand and CBC's Hockey Night in Canada crew is broadcasting what might be Ranger captain Mark Messier's last NHL game in Edmonton.
The Oilers have also invited a bunch of his former Edmonton teammates to attend: Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, Grant Fuhr and the like.
You think that incredible scene might create some buzz for the NHL, which will also be celebrating its milestone 80th anniversary next season?
This latest incarnation of the planned outdoor game is not a done deal yet but the hope is to make a huge splash all across the sporting universe. That's why the Oilers' initial proposal to host an outdoor all-star game has evolved yet again. For a time, it was thought the game should be a Battle of Alberta between the Oilers and Calgary Flames, but that may not be the case any longer.
"It's a heritage year for us. Our preference is to make it a heritage hockey classic," said Oiler vice-president Allan Watt, "and that pretty much means it's down to six teams and you can probably eliminate at least three of those."
He was of course referring to the Original Six and it's quite likely that Chicago and Boston are not being considered as opponents and Detroit is running fourth.
They're lagging behind the Leafs and Canadiens, who would fit into the Oilers' plans for a night of Canadiana, as well as the Rangers who are the first choice of most people involved with the project. They are an intriguing possibility and, in fact, sources have suggested the Rangers are the front-runner. Their media appeal is legendary and the presence of Messier, the former Oiler and St. Albert native, only adds to the potential draw.
"That would be fabulous," said Watt, who added that he wouldn't be unhappy if the NHL reverts back to a Battle of Alberta format.
"The rivalry has heated up again. It all has to do with what the league thinks is right for it. Who can we get on the schedule? Who would we play to make CBC happy? How do we make it a big event, a worldwide event?"
The Oilers are waiting for the NHL to make the next move and give them the green light to proceed within two or three months. However, the date of Nov. 22 is already basically firm and the Oilers are in the process of getting NHL approval for the throwback jerseys.
