Hawks getting strong consideration to host next game in fresh air

Perhaps the NHL will consider the resurgence of the Blackhawks such a good story that it might improve their chances of being involved in the next outdoor game.

Only time will tell.

Hawks president John McDonough has formally asked the league to host the next outdoor event, with Soldier Field a possible venue, which NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed Monday.

While Bettman warned it's still too early to project which teams might be participants when the decision is made by the league to play outdoors again, he said the Hawks' request would get strong consideration, calling it intriguing and interesting.

"We're still in the embryonic stages of deciding what we might want to do next on an outdoor game," Bettman said during a conference call with Hawks beat writers. "Whether or not Chicago is first out of the box or a little bit further down the road isn't anything we've focused on yet, but I am aware of the interest and I do believe at the appropriate time and under the appropriate circumstances, it's something we should give very strong consideration to."

Bettman admitted the Hawks are one of numerous clubs that have asked to be part of the next outdoor game. The Detroit Red Wings are believed to be one of those teams, and there has been speculation that the Wings and the Hawks might be the matchup to be played at Michigan Stadium on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor.

Bettman isn't sure that playing a game outdoors is something the league should make an annual event, even though the game played Jan. 1 in Buffalo between the Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins was a rousing success for the NHL on and off the ice.

Television ratings on NBC were high for a league in desperate need of more exposure and the game was four-star, decided in shootout -- as if scripted -- on a goal by Sidney Crosby.

"To suggest it would be annual would be to suggest that we've made up our minds," Bettman said. "I think it's fair to say that we were extremely pleased with the way the game in Buffalo went, and we think we should do more, but we don't think we should do too many.

"We want to keep it special and I don't yet have the definition of what's special and I'm not prepared to say what the game plan is -- the who, the when, the where. Those are things we're having discussions about internally right now and obviously in that mix is the possibility of a game in Chicago."

Hawks coach Denis Savard's eyes lit up when told it was possible his team could be hosting the next outdoor game.

"That would be awesome," Savard said. "I'd love to see it. I think the response would be great, like it was in Buffalo. I was thinking about that the other day talking to my wife and I said I hope it snows when we do it, just like in Buffalo. You couldn't describe a better atmosphere in Buffalo.

"I don't know where they're thinking about playing it, but I think it would be a great experience."

The revival of the Hawks is one of the top stories of the year in the NHL and one Bettman calls good for the league because it's good for Chicago.

"I think it's good for the Blackhawks and I think it's good for Blackhawks fans, and whatever is good for one of our teams ultimately is good for the league," he said.

"But first and foremost, I think this is a great Chicago story, the resurgence of one of the Original Six clubs, the resurgence of a team that steeped in history and tradition that has historically had a fabulous fan base. That's good for the league because it's good for Chicago."

Bettman credited the dramatic comeback to the vision displayed by new chairman Rocky Wirtz along with the development of young stars such as Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

"I think Rocky has given the fans, some of whom have been very frustrated, hope with the vision he has created for the club," Bettman said. "Included in that vision, obviously, is televising home games, it's bringing back the legends, it's setting up a fan convention, it's bringing in John McDonough and an expert team of personnel who know not only how to operate a team but how to do it in Chicago."

If there were a time when Bettman might have been concerned about the NHL's future in Chicago, those worries have been relieved.

"I was never concerned about the Chicago Blackhawks the way I may have been concerned about some other franchises in less established markets and less ownership financial wherewithal," Bettman said.

"I understood the frustration the fans had, but I always believed of the strength of hockey and the strength of the Blackhawks in Chicago, and I knew there was a time this would come back.

"I never thought the franchise was in jeopardy the way some of our others were before the new (collective-bargaining agreement)."

Tonight's faceoff

Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center, 7 p.m.

TV: Comcast SportsNet

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

The skinny: The Hawks have won three in a row, while the Blues have victories in three of their last four games. St. Louis scored 3 power-play goals in Sunday's 5-1 win over Columbus, holding the Blue Jackets to 18 shots. The 3 goals were an outburst for a power play that ranks last in the NHL (13.5 percent). The Hawks lead the season series 3-2 with the teams splitting two games in St. Louis. Patrick Lalime has started the last three games against the Blues, going 2-1.

Player to watch: Brad Boyes. The Blues winger has 31 goals, including 10 on the power play.

Next: Minnesota Wild at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

-- Tim Sassone