ESPN is reporting that the NHL is seriously considering hosting an outdoor game at Yankee Stadium during the 2008/2009 hockey season.  Consistent with earlier reports that league commissioner Gary Bettman is also considering Wrigley Field for the game, the latest report corroborates the notion that, regardless of venue and location, the NHL intends to hold another outdoor game like the one on New Year’s Day 2008.

If the game is held at Wrigley Field in Chicago, the Blackhawks will be the home team, whereas if it is held at Yankee Stadium the Rangers would fill the role of host. 

 Said Bill Daly, deputy commissioner of the NHL, "It's something we've spoken both to the Yankees and to the city about, but it's not a done deal. There are still other possibilities and a lot of moving pieces."

With a new stadium looming in the future for the Yankee organization, there would be little harm in subjecting the field to the stress induced by a hockey game.  Should the baseball franchise agree, and if the Blackhawks can be mollified after the earlier reports, the Bronx could play host to a frozen holiday game next season.  The Rangers’ adversary for the game has obviously not been determined, but given Boston’s recent success in the House That Ruth Built, it probably won’t be the Bruins. Any Bruins game would most likely come next year. As reported by Newsday:

In fact, Newsday has learned, because the Red Sox have been lobbying heavily for a Bruins-Rangers game at Fenway Park, one plan on the table would be to have the Rangers and Bruins play Jan. 1 in the Bronx and then the following year in Boston. The Islanders, however, are lobbying hard that they be included in the local plans. 

Bill Johnson is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network

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