The NHL is reportedly notifying sponsors that it plans to cancel the 2013 Winter Classic, according to Nick Kypreos. Kypreos expects an official announcement to come on Friday afternoon, perhaps as early as 2 p.m. Friday is Day 48 of the NHL lockout, and November games have already been eliminated. Reports earlier in the week suggested that a cancellation of the Winter Classic was imminent.
The 2013 Winter Classic is scheduled for Jan. 1 in Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. The game is supposed to feature the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Meanwhile, members of the Pittsburgh Penguins continued to practice on Friday at Southpointe, according to Rob Rossi. Sidney Crosby, Matt Cooke, Pascal Dupuis, Chris Kunitz, Tyler Kennedy and club union rep Craig Adams were all in attendance. Twenty-three Penguins games have already been wiped off the schedule. Crosby told the media that the next three weeks will be crucial to avoiding another lost season.