5 teams we'd like to see in the Winter Classic

The NHL insists the Winter Classic concept hasn't gone stale, but that's hard to accept given its constant showcasing of the same teams.

On Saturday, the NHL announced the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks will play in the 2019 Winter Classic, marking the third appearance for the Bruins and the sixth for the Blackhawks.

Meanwhile, eight other teams have never taken part in an outdoor game. Here are five fresh teams we'd prefer to watch.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets were one of the most exciting teams last season, and at one point pieced together a 16-game win streak. This year, Columbus has won 12 of its first 20 games, showing it's no fluke.

With some of the game's best young stars, like Zach Werenski, on the roster, the Blue Jackets are a prime candidate for an outdoor game. The best bet could be a showdown at Ohio Stadium against the playoff rival Pittsburgh Penguins.

Dallas Stars

The Stars can score, which makes them a perfect candidate for one of the NHL's premier events. A game outdoors would also give superstars like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn more time in the limelight.

The Stars moved to Dallas in 1993, and a game in their former state against the Minnesota Wild could be an instant classic. To make it extra special, have Stars legend Mike Modano drop the puck in the ceremonial faceoff.

Nashville Predators

Hockey fans in the Music City put on a show during last year's playoffs with raucous crowds at Bridgestone Arena. Can the spectacle be taken to the next level?

The site is there in Nissan Stadium, and concerns over climate should be minimal after the NHL hosted two successful outdoor games in California. A game involving the Predators would highlight one of the NHL's most dynamic personalities in P.K. Subban, and facing off against his former team, the Montreal Canadiens, would provide intrigue in the Great White North.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning are an offensive machine this season, with the duo of Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov scoring at will. It's time the two get the chance to show their stuff on the Winter Classic stage.

The Florida club would likely have to take the show on the road in order to be featured in the Winter Classic, but there are plenty of options. Here's one: Going up against the Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, potentially at FedEx Field, home of the NFL's Redskins.

Vegas Golden Knights

Nobody puts on a better show than Vegas, and given the Golden Knights' strong performance, it's time to grant them an opportunity.

As a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, team owner Bill Foley could like the idea of playing a neutral-site game at New York's West Point campus. A perfect opponent could be the Florida Panthers, whose owner, Vincent Viola, is also a West Point graduate.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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