A future NHL outdoor game could be coming to the Buckeye State.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of eight clubs to have never participated in a Winter Classic or Stadium Series game, but that may not be the case for much longer.
"It's obvious that the (Blue Jackets are) competitive, that they're playing exciting hockey and the fans are reacting in positive ways," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. "It's even at the point internally - we're not there yet - (but) we've even started focusing on the possibility of an outdoor game. We view Columbus as a great success story.
"It's on our radar screen of places we haven't been. We want to be as inclusive as possible, and (as) we view the success the Blue Jackets are having on and off the ice, the discussions become more frequent."
The commissioner also spoke to some of the criteria the NHL looks for in identifying host markets for its iconic outdoor event.
"We look for a mix," Bettman said. "Part of it is to assure we get a national (TV) rating. Part of it is to ensure that when we play in a 70,000-seat facility there's no doubt it will be sold out. We try to be opportunistic. It's a function of market. It's a function of team history and fan base, and it's a function of performance at the time."
Two major factors seem to play into Columbus' favor, including a suitable venue in the 102,000-seat Ohio Stadium, and the fact that the Blue Jackets have emerged as one of the NHL's top teams after years of futility.
The Blue Jackets finished with 97 points last season to mark their second straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Meanwhile, many pundits have pegged the team to make a third consecutive trip to the dance this spring.
Columbus has previously hosted two major NHL events, including the 2007 Entry Draft and the 2015 All-Star Game. The Blue Jackets joined the NHL in 2000.
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