I'm fully aware the NHL's Winter Classic (presented by... Bridgestone!) is just over a year away, but I saw this news today and thought, "Hey, here's something that doesn't in any way have to do with the current Who's on First?-style debate about head shots among NHL GMs and the interweb commenterati..." So here we are.

USA Today reports that Yankee Stadium has been booked for December 30th for a "Pinstripe Bowl," which is not, contrary to common sense, a zoot suit-themed formal dance. No, it's a college football extravaganza featuring the No. 3 team in the Big East and the No. 6 school in the Big 12, excluding Bowl Championship Series teams. This immediately takes my original pick for the 2011 NHL outdoor party, throws it on the ground and stomps on it for good measure. (Single tear)

Will the NHL still go with a winning Classic Baseball Stadium + At Least One Original Six Team = Ratings Gold formula? Are there any left? Some have predicted a trip to Washington, others see a game north of the border more likely. The latter is a long shot because the game is already so popular in Canada, they cold play it on roller skates in Guam with a beachball and we'd probably still watch. But to really get that New Year's Day ratings score south of the border, it needs to be in the continental U.S. Preferably somewhere snowy. But where? Already, three of the four American Original Six teams have played (Detroit, Boston, Chicago), the only one left was the Rangers. Looks like there will have to be a new formula. Maybe back to the gridiron?

And now back to headshotapalooza...