Could this be a preview of the sweater the Devils wear at Yankee Stadium?

This ‘sweater’ is in the Devils online shop as a vintage piece – it's not to be game worn. But I am wondering if it’s possible this is a preview of what the Devils will wear when they play the Rangers at Yankee Stadium? There’s but one thing I’d change – I’d swap the black with green to give it a real classic feel. Your thoughts? Share them on Facebook or in the comments section below ...

Devils (and Rangers and Islanders) fans — let is sync in — and you’ll see having 2 outdoor games at Yankee Stadium in ’14 is purely brilliant

TSN today announced there will be six outdoor games in the NHL — and I am surprised, I must admit, by the number of people who don’t like this.

Among the six matches to be played (see the graphic for the entire slate ) are two games at Yankee Stadium. The Devils will host the Rangers at Yankee Stadium on Jan. 26 — and the Rangers will host the Islanders on Jan. 29.

Now before you start throwing out that this will water down the outdoor hockey experience, I want you (especially Devils fans) to think about a few things.

First, the timing.

The two games at Yankee Stadium will take place in-between the NFL conference finals and the Super Bowl which, remember, is to be played in New Jersey.

Folks, this is purely brilliant.

That week — in between NFL games — is one that has very little pizzaz at all. Aside from radio row events for the Super Bowl, just think about this for a moment.

Thousands of media will already be in the metro area for the Super Bowl.

The pure excitement of what this will bring locally won’t be matched by much else. Seriously. 

Think about it for a moment? What could bring more excitement to the Devils, Rangers and Islanders than outdoor games?

Now this part is for Devils fans only — and perhaps the Islanders fans, too.

We’ve all seen the excitement of the Winter Classic. And that’s been with two teams that have never been ours.

And if you’ve wanted to see the Devils play outdoors — think about this carefully folks.

If this special series wasn’t concocted, there isn’t a chance in hell we’d ever get to see our team play an outdoor game. It simply would never happen under a once-a-year scenario.

Ever.

This concept, to me, is purely brilliant. 

But with that said, I believe it should be a one-time only deal. And I’d be perfectly happy if this were the one-and-only time the Devils played an outdoor game.

What this will generate economically, in interest and in excitement will be unparalleled in this area — for both games. And while right now, many just see this as too many outdoor games for one season, I’ll ask once more: As much as you’ve enjoyed the Winter Classic, can you honestly say you enjoyed it as much watching two teams NOT the Devils playing in the game as you would if the Devils were in the Winter Classic?

The answer is no.

And the NHL is making it possible for the fans of the Metropolitan Area to see all three teams play outside the very same week the Super Bowl is to be played, in New Jersey, in cold weather, for the very first time.

If you can’t see just how exciting that will be, I can’t help but think you just might not get it.

But I do believe once all the rationale sinks in, it’ll make much more sense — and you’ll see why this is one of the strongest moves Gary Bettman has ever made as commissioner.

Ever.

Report: Rangers could host Devils or Islanders at Yankee Stadium in '14

There's a report on WFAN.com today that says the Rangers are in talks with the NHL and the Yankees to host either the Devils or Islanders at Yankee Stadium as part of a series of outdoor games next season.

I like the idea — and I want the Devils to be the opponent, not the Islanders.

And yet, the moment I saw the report, my only thought was that they'll never ask the Devils to play in the game — it'll almost certainly be the Islanders.

Thoughts?

NHL should give every team an outdoor home game in 2013-14

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — 

The NHL announced, today, the 2014 Winter Classic will be the same matchup it was supposed to be in 2013. I am glad. I like the idea of seeing Detroit and Toronto playing in the Winter Classic — even moreso now that they’ll be in the same division.

But the more I thought about it, this whole game is wholly unfair to about 24 of the league’s teams — because so many of them will likely never, ever get to play in the Winter Classic.

We’ve seen the logical choices over the first few years. Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Washington, Boston, the Flyers, Rangers, Detroit. And yet, so many other franchises — teams that have some great natural rivalries — haven’t had a chance to play outdoors while others, including the Wings — will have played in the Classic twice already.

Here’s what I’d like to see happen in the 2013-14 season.

In addition to the Winter Classic, allow each team, if possible, to have one home game moved outdoors. Then, go back to the once-a-year system. 

In this way, every team — and their fans — will get a chance to experience the thrill of the outdoor game.

Imagine for a moment the Devils hosting the Rangers at MetLife Stadium. Rangers/Islanders at Citi Field. Pens/Flyers at Heinz Field. Canadiens/Leafs at an open Rogers Centre (Skydome).

The excitement these kinds of match-ups would generate would be unprecedented — especially here. Could you just picture 82,000 fans screaming “Rangers suck, Flyers swallow!” at MetLife as much as I detest that chant?

Imagine 82,000 fans at MetLife Stadium getting a chance to heckle Henrik Lundqvist when he lets up a typical soft goal to someone like Steve Bernier?

Imagine 45,000 people screaming “Potvin Sucks!” even though it’s technically an Islanders home game at Citi Field?

What about the warm-weather cities?

You’ll also notice I said “if possible” to the idea. 

Immediately, there will be some who will say it’s impossible to host an outdoor NHL game in the City of Miami — though the ice engineers of the NHL would more than be able to figure out how to do it at SunLife Stadium. Still, I’d understand if there was major concern in places like Miami — or Los Angeles (or Phoenix if they don’t go to Quebec) — where it doesn’t exactly get cold in the winter (though few realize it really DOES get cold in South Florida in the winter — we’ve had countless nights where the temps dropped to the mid-’30s).

So there it is.

Next year, every teams gets an outdoor home game. And it's a great gesture of thanks to hockey fans who, despite the lockout of 2012, are coming back in record numbers in hockey arenas across North America.

Then, quite simply, it can go back to being the outdoor game involving one of the Original Six and/or the Flyers and Penguins.

Gary Bettman wouldn’t have it any other way, right?