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Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson heard the buzz, too: Toronto could host Montreal in a Heritage Classic during the 2016-2017 NHL season.

Is the Big Smoke snuffing out Ottawa’s chance at playing the Habs outside during Canada’s 150th anniversary year?

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Watson isn’t fazed.

He’s still hoping the NHL will give Ottawa strong consideration for an outdoor game in December 2017 at the end of a big year for Canada and the capital.

“I think Ottawa is still very much in the running and I think it makes good sense to have the game here on the 150th since we had the very first NHL game in history in 1917,” Watson said Tuesday.

According to Watson, NHL officials were recently in Ottawa taking measurements on Parliament Hill, which could actually work for an outdoor game.

“They were here a couple of weeks ago doing engineering studies and measurements on the Hill. I’m told it can accommodate tens of thousands with temporary seating,” Watson said.