Once Considered, Could A Rangers 'Stadium Series' Game Ever Be Played At Central Park?

The fact that the Football Giants’ home turf has been turned into a hockey rink means that the Rangers-Islanders tilt tomorrow afternoon guarantees that it will be a big hit.

In this case, “Bit Hit” can be defined as a $ellout, which, really, is what the business of major league hockey is all about.

David Kolb / The Hockey News

But, when you think about it, East Rutherford, New Jersey, is not exactly the Rangers’ “hometown,” nor is it that for the Islanders from Nassau County.

With that in mind, Rangers fans, think about this: What if NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman decided that the Rangers host an outdoor classic and it not be held in New Jersey nor on Long Island.

What about having it at Central Park in the absolute middle of Manhattan?

Well, if you turn back the calendars of NHL history, the idea of playing the game on The Great Lawn actually once was bruited about.

This was back when the NBC Network was showing the NHL games more than a decade ago.

The network wanted a Big Apple extravaganza and, for a moment, actually considered Central Park as a site.

We all know that it never happened, but who’s to say it couldn’t happen in the future?

Two challenges would have to be met — and overcome:

1. Permission-Payoff: Since Central Park is sacred turf, the city’s Parks Department would have to approve, and no doubt some dough-re-me would have to be paid to the City.

2. Logistics: Erecting a 40,000-seat portable “stadium” on either the park’s Sheep Meadow or Great Lawn would not be impossible. Ah, but where would the parking lot be located — at Lincoln Center?

Stranger things have happened to the Rangers, but an Outdoor Classic in Central Park likely would be the most bizarre idea of them all, wouldn’t it?

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