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December 22, 2006
Lemieux: I'll take my Pens and go ... somewhere
From today's New York Times:
[Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario] Lemieux issued a statement yesterday, turning up the heat on Pittsburgh officials by saying the team was no longer for sale and would explore its relocation options.
"After seven years of trying to work out a new arena deal exclusively in Pittsburgh, we need to take into consideration the long-term viability of the team and begin discussions with other cities that may be interested in N.H.L. teams," he said in the statement.
Saber-rattling: check.
Hark! Is that Kansas City I hear? They just happen to be building a new arena, and sure, they'd listen if Mario Lemieux called.
Posted by LeftWingCracker on December 22, 2006 06:41 PM
More likely it'll be the second coming of the Winnipeg Jets.
Posted by Charles on December 23, 2006 11:47 AM
That is what happens when you gamble on slots.
Posted by Mike on December 24, 2006 12:14 AM
their will be no second coming of the winnipeg jets atleast with sidney crosby under contract with the pens. Too valued a property to have sheltered away in the wilds of canada. IT will be either kansas city , houston , vegas, portland or hartford on the first list. who knows you could see san diego or some other sunbelt city forward an offer.
My money is on kansas city . A buyer from mario in the wings with the spirnt arena ready to open next fall. kemper arena could host the pens until spirnt opens.
Pittsburg is thru with hockey unless they do something very fast. 7 years trying to make an arena deal is too long. Now Mario has a product many cities want . The hottest young player in the league sidney crosby and an equally hot Alexi Malkin. I am surprized Blackberry boy got thru the door with 175 million considering the talent on the PENs team this year and that the two kids are tied up with a lower level contract until they turn 25 and have a voice. If the Pens end up in the right place (someone bending over backwards for an arena) then it could be a hugely profitable operation for the lucky winner.
paul
A Penguins' move to Kansas City would probably result in that franchise joining the Western Conference's Central Division, Nashville moving to the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division, and Washington moving from the Southeast to the Atlantic Division. So Philly and the three NY-area franchises would have Ovechkin replace Crosby as a star visiting attraction.
Posted by Vincent on December 25, 2006 01:24 PM
Houston, Texas is also a favorite. The Toyota Center is ready for an NHL team.
Posted by Daniel F. on December 27, 2006 08:06 PM
nice arena in houston , Could I biggie size my houston aeros AHL franchise to a houston aero NHL franchise. That would be a first I beleive . A city to have a team name used for the world hockey association in the 1970's , an AHL team of the same name and perhaps an Houston Aeros hat trick with the NHL. There might be a conflict in regards to corporate suite sales considering the houston rockets play in the toyota center. 102 suites may be more then the rockets can sell. That is a huge number for my memory of arena stats.
paul
paul
Posted by paul on December 28, 2006 09:05 AM