Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Outdoor Venues That Should Host NHL Games

ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 1: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Tomas Tatar #21 of the Detroit Red Wings controls the puck as Peter Holland #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs defends during the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2014 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

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MOSCOW, RUSSIA – MAY 16: People walk around Red Square on a spring day in Moscow, Russia on May 16, 2021. (Photo by Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

No. 2: Red Square, Russia

Based on the KHL having such a strong influence in Russia, this may be harder to pull off, but it would be a spectacular event if they did.

As you can see by this video, the KHL held their All-Star game at the Red Square in 2009 and it was amazing. The rink looked great and the surrounding area was even better. Playing a legitimate game right in the heart of the square would be a monumental event.

Alex Ovechkin is one of the biggest stars of the NHL, but is even more beloved in Russia. If they were able to have the Washington Capitals play a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins where Russia born Ovechkin faced off against fellow countrymen Evgeni Malkin, the viewership would be incredible.

As previously mentioned, it may be hard to get the KHL on-board with this, as you’d be marketing in their territory but if they were able to come to an agreement to help both parties, it would be something to watch.

Regardless of what they had to do to make it work, having the ability to play an outdoor game in a foreign country would be a great idea for the NHL.

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