Before the 2004-05 NHL lockout, pundits often referred to the free-spending Detroit Red Wings as the New York Yankees of professional hockey. Now it turns out the Red Wings may play a game at Yankee Stadium.

Wings defenseman Chris Chelios and forward Kris Draper said today they had heard rumors of an outdoor game featuring the New York Rangers being staged as the final event at Yankee Stadium during the 2008-09 NHL season. The Yankees are scheduled to move to a new stadium for the 2009 season.

"I heard it's a done deal already," Chelios said. "I heard Detroit's playing that game. The last event actually in Yankee Stadium."

Chelios said it would be "awesome."

"Not just because of the history of Yankee Stadium, but to be able to be a part of the last event ever to be played is going to be something special," he said.

Draper said he hadn't heard anything official about the Wings being the opposing team but said he would love to participant.

"Would I like to be? Absolutely," Draper said. "Are you kidding me?"

The New York Daily News today reported that the Wings or Boston Bruins would be the likely opponent. NHL and network representatives visited 85-year-old Yankee Stadium, according to the Daily News, to see what would be needed to host a game there.

"It's something we've spoken both to the Yankees and to the city about," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Daily News. "But it's not a done deal. There are still other possibilities and a lot of moving pieces."

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said no one from the league has contacted him about a game at Yankee Stadium. He did say he'd be in favor of playing in an outdoor game.

Wings coach Mike Babcock said he'd love to play in Yankee Stadium, not to mention Michigan Stadium or other outdoor venues to help give the sport exposure.

"I'd like to play Chicago," Babcock said. "Where are they going to have it? Wrigley? I'd like to play Toronto at the Big House."