Simple Plan agrees to play Winter Classic in exchange for two grilled cheese sandwiches and a box of KD

The Elbow staff

The NHL bargained hard to get Simple Plan to appear at the 2016 Winter Classic in Boston. Source

BOSTON, MA – After a two-hour negotiation, punk band Simple Plan has agreed to perform the Canadian national anthem at next week's Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium.

It has been revealed to The Elbow that the group will be paid in the form of two grilled cheese sandwiches and a box of Kraft Dinner for the performance.

Representatives from the band and the NHL described the negotiations as stressful, but otherwise successful.

"We considered pushing for three sandwiches, but didn't want the league walking away from the table," lead singer Pierre Bouvier said.

"This way is great – we won't feel too much pressure to perform. Once you start asking for too much, you have to live up to those expectations."

The NHL said they were happy to make the deal with what they described as "the most talented performers to associate themselves with us since Jay Mohr hosted the 2011 NHL awards".

"Any chance you get to have a world-class outfit like Simple Plan perform at your event, you have to go all out and give them your best offer straight off the bat," a spokesman said.

"There wasn't much deliberating on our part."