The Jets appear to be frontrunners to host the NHL's next Heritage Classic, and one NHL analyst has floated the idea that Winnipeg may face the Ottawa Senators. Outdoor hockey has always been a little bit magical. For every player, <a href='https://senshot.com/it-s-time-to-get-senators-back-outdoors-could-senators-potentially-face-jets-01k8dzn2n1en' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>it brings to mind frozen ponds and backyard rinks</a>, a nostalgic reminder of where they first fell in love with the game. The Ottawa Senators have been a part of that tradition twice, initially in the 2014 Heritage Classic against Vancouver and then in the NHL 100 Classic against Montreal in 2017. It's been eight years since their last time outdoors, and with new things brewing, it could be just on the horizon. As Elliotte Friedman put it, <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/winnipeg-jets/winnipeg-emerging-as-front-runner-to-host-massive-nhl-event-next-year-per-elliotte-friedman' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Winnipeg is the top choice to host next year's NHL Heritage Classic</a>, last held in 2023 when Calgary played Edmonton. Winnipeg is going to be a serious contender to host it. - Elliotte Friedman <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/JetsEmpir3/status/1979744971038355872'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/IllegalCurve/status/1980061403072651474'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> If it comes back to Manitoba, the Winnipeg Jets would be the home team, and the Senators would be a good opponent, according to NHL analyst Jake Ferraro. That is quite unexpected, considering they aren't true rivals of the Jets. A game against the Senators may offer as a unique chance for the NHL to give smaller Canadian market teams to put on a good game. - Jake Ferraro <h3>Ottawa, Montreal, and Vancouver haven't played an outdoor game in a while</h3> Given that the Flames, Oilers, and Maple Leafs have only recently played outdoor games, of the remaining teams, the Senators, Canadiens, or Canucks would seem the most natural choice. Montreal already has four outdoors games under its belt, and Vancouver's recent struggles may make Ottawa the perfect choice: a hard-fighting, smaller-market Canadian franchise that hasn't been in the spotlight in years. If the NHL wants to even out Canadian exposure, and the Jets are partnered with the Senators, well, that could make for some entertaining hockey. Fans will still need to wait and see what teams the league selects, but a Heritage Classic meeting of Winnipeg and Ottawa does appear to be a natural fit.