Why is the Winter Classic always the same teams?

This is about getting the largest audience possible that will generate the most revenue.

Period.

The "let's call them the convenient" six have larger fanbases than most NHL teams. They buy high dollar tickets (my excursion to Detroit/Ann Arbor for the Winter Classic, after factoring tickets, lodging, souvenirs and meals, was around $1500 and I could have spent more), and they watch on TV to a greater extent than other clubs.

Did I have fun? Sure...despite nearly freezing to death and having to wait 2 hours after the game to leave because of traffic. Would I do it every year? No. Would I do it once every 5-6 years? Absolutely.

NBC took a big chance on a Canadian team...it worked. MTL is the only other Canadian team that NBC would even consider (if BOS were to host a second game (calm down people), MTL at Patriots Stadium would be a no-brainer).

So you're a bit stuck on markets. Chicago isn't a rivalry but it's a huge TV market (3rd largest IIRC) that will draw a big number for NBC.

Let me see now. Let's get excited over Columbus and Carolina. Or how about a replay of the Calder Cup final. Winnipeg and Dallas. Maybe the crowds will flock to Nashville and Florida.

No most people want to go to the old tried and true. Sorry.

It's not this year it's chicago and Washington I live in Chicago but I'm mad that it wasn't here

Because more people care about the original six then the rest of the teams.

The Winter Classic is an NBC product. And NBC naturally wants to get high ratings for sporting events. So they're going to pick teams that have a big draw. Teams like Pittsburgh, Philly, NYR, Washington, Detroit, Toronto, Chicago, and LA are big draws. Their arenas sell out, and fans watch the games on TV. With the exception of Toronto, they favor teams who play in the U.S. You also need to have the event in a place where it gets cold enough to have an ice rink, so a game in Florida is out. Not to mention, the Panthers can barely fill their arena; who wants to see them in a special event? There's also an East Coast bias because a large percentage of the population lives on the East Coast.

I don't get why it's Chicago instead of, say, Philly or a natural rival. Heck, Ottawa would have been interesting because it would be a capital showdown. Where's the rivalry factor?

Furthermore, if you appear in a Winter Classic as a guest--which the Capitals did in 2011--you get to host one within three years. The lockout pushed things back, so it's four years, which is fine by me. This will be the second WC for the Caps and maybe the third (?) for Chicago.

best teams best players more mechandise to sell yes it gets annoying now