The irony to the question is that Canada hosted the first regular-season NHL outdoor game, but since it wasn't part of the official NHL Winter Classic series, it seems to be forgotten.
The interest comes about after the huge success earlier today at Wrigley Field in Chicago, where the Detroit Red Wings (I can see Canada from their arena) downed the hometown Blackhawks 6-4 at the home of MLB's Chicago Cubs. The game was carried by NBC in the States and CBC in Canada.
This was the third regular-season outdoor game. The first Winter Classic was last New Year's Day in Buffalo when the Pittsburgh Penguins edged the Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the NFL's Buffalo Bills.
On November 22, 2003, the Heritage Classic was played in Edmonton between the Edmonton Oilers and the Montréal Canadiens. Montréal won that contest 4-3.
Today's game was the first in a baseball stadium. Edmonton's contest was held at Commonwealth Stadium, home of the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos.
So where in Canada could you play an outdoor classic? Unfortunately, the options aren't plentiful. Vancouver's football stadium has a dome. Montréal's outdoor football stadium only seats about 25,000. But Calgary has a football stadium and an NHL team. So does Ottawa. And Toronto has a domed stadium but the roof could be opened at the Rogers Centre.
There are some quality places in the United States as well to explore. The most logical place now would be Fenway Park in Boston. One city that would be cool, even if they don't have a home team, is Cleveland with two solid outdoor options right downtown near Lake Erie. Maybe the Columbus Blue Jackets could play a home game in Cleveland. Lambeau Field in Green Bay would also be great, even if Wisconsin doesn't have an NHL team (Minnesota Wild playing in Green Bay?).
PNC Park in Pittsburgh would be awesome, even if the Penguins have already played in the classic. Then there is the new Yankee Stadium to consider. It's too bad Tiger Stadium in Detroit isn't likely in good enough shape to play a game, though Comerica Park is an extremely nice facility.
So where should the NHL play its next Winter Classic? And if Canada gets picked, where should the NHL go? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.