Avs Want The Winter Classic, Sakic Wants The Red Wings?

DENVER (CBS4) - The Colorado Avalanche open the season in Minnesota Thursday night, and then the Wild come to Denver on Saturday night. Both of those games will be played indoors, but how about an outdoor game for the Avalanche?

Last year the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs played the Winter Classic in Michigan Stadium in front of 100,000 people -- and it was loved by hockey fans. This year the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals will play it in the nation's capital.

But when will the Avs get to host a Winter Classic? If team President Josh Kroenke gets his way, it could be next year.

"As far as talks with the league I can't go into too much detail because we don't have any confirmation yet. But I think in a nutshell the league recognizes that Denver could be a natural fit for an outdoor game at some point in time; hopefully sooner rather than later," Kroenke said. "As our hockey club stands, I think it makes a lot of sense to have our first one during our 20-year anniversary of the club coming to Colorado."

First they have to get the game, and then they have to find a stadium. According to a CBS4 Sports poll, 42 percent prefer Coors Field as the site of a possible Winter Classic compared to Sports Authority Field at Mile High's 41 percent and Folsom Field's 17 percent.

The next question is, who would the Avs want to play in the outdoor game? Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic gave a hint.

"I don't know who it will be, but if they ask my recommendation I could come up with one," Sakic said with a laugh.

Of course he's probably talking about the long-time rival Red Wings.