The MLB Speedway Classic at the Bristol Motor Speedway wrapped up on Sunday between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds. While logistically challenged and filled with weather delays, it was a sight to see for sports fans alike.

So how do the Colorado Avalanche and the NHL fit into all this?

It all started with one tweet by the well-sourced motorsports reporter Adam Stern. NHL executives were at the half-mile short-track in Bristol, Tennessee, to see how the Speedway Classic unfolded. The track’s owners, Speedway Motorsports (SMI), are eying Bristol for the site of a future NHL Outdoor Game.

Why Bristol?

Known as “The Last Great Colosseum,” Bristol is used to holding large crowds for the premier motorsport in the US. Before the Speedway Classic, the track also hosted “The Battle at Bristol,” a college football game between the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech in 2016. They’re used to hosting over 150,000 people on event weekends.

While in a more remote area near the Tennessee/Virginia border, it would bring hockey to a crowd who might not be as invested and know as much about hockey. It would help the NHL’s effort in trying to grow the game. The saying goes, “If you build it, they will come.” It’d certainly ring true if a rink were built in the track’s infield.

Potential Issues

While sightlines were a problem for the Speedway Classic, it wouldn’t be as big an issue for a potential NHL game. With that being said, the action would be so far away from the fans and tough to follow along. This would be an event more made for TV, but a spectacle regardless.

As seen this weekend, the track was not prepared for the crowd and ran out of food and some drink options. It’s never been an issue with past NASCAR events. This is largely because fans have been allowed to bring in their own food and drinks. If fans were allowed to do this for a potential future NHL game, it might not be a problem. But if they follow a similar path as they did this weekend with the MLB’s Speedway Classic, it could create similar issues.

Of course, as seen this weekend too, delays can derail everything. While the NHL would play a potential game at Bristol for the Winter Classic on New Year’s or in the spring for the Stadium Series, weather could still be a potential problem. The Avs have been part of delays at previous NHL Outdoor games, so it could theoretically happen again.

Why the Avalanche?

Speaking of the Avs, how would they be involved in this? With the track in Tennessee, at least one of the teams involved would likely be the home-state Nashville Predators. Being Central Division rivals, it makes sense, matchup-wise, to involve Colorado.

Speed is also the name of the game for the Avalanche. Bristol’s tagline of “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile” is a great marketing scheme. Speed could be a selling point for Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in a potential game. High speed and rough battles on the track could sell the same thing on the ice.

Finally, simply put, the Avs have been involved in far too few outdoor games. Remember, one of their outdoor games didn’t even take place in front of any fans. They’re one of the best teams in the league and recognized by the greats on and off the ice in the franchise’s history. Putting the Avalanche on the main stage just makes sense.

However, if I had to say who would play, the Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators make the most sense. North Carolina, being the home of NASCAR and having drivers attend several home games, makes sense at a NASCAR track to have “NASCAR’s team” playing.

But don’t rule out the Avalanche. While an NHL game is likely years away from taking place at Bristol Motor Speedway, getting Colorado in would be huge for the fans and organization. You might as well try, because “It’s Bristol, baby!”