It was leaked on Saturday that the Washington Capitals will host the Toronto Maple Leafs in an outdoor game at the Naval Academy next season.
Sources from the AP announced it yesterday aftertoon, and it was further confirmed by a variety of news organizations.
AP sources: Capitals to host Maple Leafs in outdoor game at Naval Academy https://t.co/FTKiF3qUR6
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) May 28, 2017
Capitalizing (no pun intended) on a highly entertaining First Round of the Playoffs, it took very little free thinking to create a matchup once the location was determined. The Young Toronto Maple Leafs squad, led by Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner are highly marketable right now and into the foreseeable future. Look to the Maple Leafs to be getting ‘asked’ to join in many of these gimmick games next year and for many years to come.
The Navy-Marine Corps Stadium can seat up to 34,000 fans for their typical football set up but unsure how the configuration will maximize ticket sales for this hockey game. US vs. Canada on a very historic piece of property. It will be an exciting game. Why?
Cause of plays like this…..
William Nylander 1st NHL Playoff Goal (Audio Replaced w/ @BonsieTweets & @Jim_Ralph) https://t.co/cSZw9jgVaI #TMLtalk #leafs #BringBackBowen
— Goal Leafs Goal (@Goal_Leafs_Goal) April 18, 2017
I added a video to a @YouTube playlist https://t.co/EN10WUqsto Auston Matthews 4th NHL Playoff Goal! 4/23/2017 – (Washington Capitals
— Nyrads (@Mitch_Nyrads) April 28, 2017
Less than a month away from the Expansion Draft, and NHL Entry Draft, and then it rolls into UFA Day.
Will the Leafs make moves before that? Already hearing the rumours kicking around that agreements have been made behind the scenes, now we just need a leak to happen or the Cup to be finalized and the Gerry Bettman media freeze to be lifted.
Go Leafs Go !!