New Jersey Devils Turn Down Outdoor Game For Next Season

The Devils told the NHL “no” when asked about an outdoor game.

The NHL is still deep in negotiations with the NHL Player’s Association to try and get the league back off the ground. Things are still very contentious, and there hasn’t been a lot of positive news coming out. It’s iffy when we’ll see New Jersey Devils back again. However, one thing being floated in those negotiations right now is the possibility of an outdoor game.

Obviously, with the status of the pandemic, certain municipalities would be more willing to allow larger crowds if the venue was outdoors. On the other hand, it’s hardly a guarantee that it would even be allowed to be half capacity. Look at the NFL. This NBC Sports article shows which venue is allowing fans at all. No venue is allowing more than 22 percent capacity. Seven of the 15 games will be played in front of zero fans at all. Another two teams are only allowing family and friends.

So, the NFL is only allowing actual fans into the stadium in six stadiums this weekend. So, let’s say the NHL likes this model. Putting an outdoor hockey rink inside a stadium is incredibly expensive. The Winter Classic makes a lot of its money on the gate. Will the league even break even if they run any outdoor games?

Still, according to Pierre LeBrun with The Athletic, there are multiple teams looking into this option. Teams like the Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Los Angeles Kings and Dallas Stars are at least looking at the feasibility of the idea. One team that was a flat-out no was the Devils.

It makes sense. New Jersey isn’t allowing fans at MetLife Stadium for Giants and Jets games. If that’s the situation now, there’s no way the league can project that fans would be allowed anywhere in New Jersey.

It’s sad because the Stadium Series against the New York Rangers was a really fun experience. Seeing Jaromir Jagr and Martin Brodeur take the ice in Yankee Stadium with a packed house was one of the best experiences despite the final score. The game was fun and the experience was unforgettable. It’s just not the right time for the Devils to have an outdoor game, but it is nice to know the team was asked.