As The Athletic has reported for some time, it’s looking good that the Wild may be awarded the 2021 Winter Classic.



It’s not iron-clad yet, but all things are trending in the right direction for an announcement in three weeks as Wild owner Craig Leipold, Wild president Matt Majka and his vast team, the city of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Twins, led by president Dave St. Peter, have been working diligently behind the scenes for months in attempt to land the outdoor game at Target Field.



If the Wild are so fortunate to host the Jan. 1, 2021, extravaganza that has previously been played in historic venues like Wrigley Field, Fenway Park and Notre Dame Stadium, the objective is to make this much more than the Winter Classic alone. The ambition is to hold several events in concert with the game and to actually turn the Winter Classic into a weeklong Winter Festival in the Twin Cities.



It would be a celebration of a sport that’s so cherished...