Time to put the 'zazz' back in Winter Classic

Once again, John McDonough was right.

The day before the Blackhawks took on the Capitals in the Winter Classic, the Hawks president was asked his opinion on the NHL's outdoor games, and he said when it comes to those type of events, he's from the school of less is more.

Could not agree more. It has to be special.

Playing outdoors on New Year's Day is special.

Playing outdoors at Nationals Park - regardless of the matchup - is not special.

I'll admit it, if the Hawks weren't involved Thursday, I don't know how much of the game I would have caught. But I did watch and I enjoyed NBC's coverage - including all the various camera angles - and the quality of play between the Hawks and Caps.

It was fine.

All the other outdoor games the league puts on - from the Stadium Series to the Heritage Classic games - they can be fine, too, but the Winter Classic has to be more than that if it wants to draw eyes. It sure didn't Thursday, attracting the smallest TV audience since the onset of the event.

So, what's the solution?

First and foremost, the Classic has to be played at a site that is either iconic, fantastical or outrageous. As for matchups? They're only secondary to the site.

Did you notice how excited the Capitals were to participate Thursday's non-rivalry game? The Hawks, on the other hand, said all the right things leading up to the game, but the buzz just wasn't there for them this time around.

Bottom line: Get every team involved to get the zazz back, and think big. Really big.

Pittsburgh vs. New Jersey at Heinz Field? No thanks.

Pittsburgh vs. New Jersey live from Iceland? Now you're talking.

OK, that's probably a bit much, but how about the Stars vs. Predators at Cowboys Stadium or the Canadiens and Blues going at it from Lambeau Field?

And if there isn't a stadium already built at one of your dream locations, erect your own. The league brings its own rink, why not bring along temporary bleachers for about 20,000 and charge twice as much? People will pay for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Like watching the Lightning and Rangers from somewhere in the Florida Keys or the Wild and Blue Jackets playing in the shadow of Mount Rushmore, or the Avs and Coyotes from the Grand Canyon, or the Ducks and Sharks live for a breakfast game from Waikiki Beach - in the middle of winter that would look real sweet, wouldn't it?

I realize most of those are just fantasy, but why not think outside the box?

Keep Michigan Stadium in the rotation, lose the baseball parks and their awful sight lines, and in about five years, when the Hawks have been on the outside looking in long enough, have them host a game at Notre Dame, a site Rocky Wirtz suggested a couple of weeks ago.

With college football reclaiming New Year's Day, the NHL has to think big.

Really, really big.