Pittsburgh Penguins on the move?

PredDave · 12-21-2006, 12:53 PM

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=189251&hubname=nhl

Lemieux to investigate moving Penguins

Owner Mario Lemieux says the team is off the market and he will investigate relocating the Penguins outside Pennsylvania.

"It is time to take control of our own destiny," Lemieux said Thursday in a statement issued by the team.

Lemieux said he needs to take into consideration the long-term viability of the team and begin discussions with other cities that may be interested in an NHL franchise.

But he also said he'll continue to investigate an arena plan in Pittsburgh.

"As soon as we are no longer restricted by our agreement with Isle of Capri from negotiating an arena deal here, in the next few weeks, we will also begin discussions with local leaders about a viable Pittsburgh arena plan," he said.

The team's future in Pittsburgh is in doubt after the state Gaming Control Board denied Isle of Capri Casino a slots licence on Wednesday.

The licence was critical to the team's survival in Pittsburgh as Isle of Capri had promised to spend US$290 million to build the team an arena.

Lemieux's comments also come less than a week after a deal to sell the team to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie fell through.

Kansas City, Las Vegas, Houston, Portland and Winnipeg are among the cities hoping to lure an NHL team.

John F · 12-21-2006, 02:00 PM

The team has been bankrupt twice in Pittsburgh. They can't get a new arena built. It's sad but it's time to move the franchise.

I just don't want the team going to Las Vegas or KC...

LemaireisGOD · 01-11-2007, 04:58 PM

I'm thinking KC. The Arena is built, and the city is actively courting the Penguins already. As much as I think Kansas City wouldn't be that great of a move to me its the most LIKELY move. Although; perhaps having Crosby and Malkin in Vegas would give the league some exposure. Call them the Gamblers perhaps?

MtAvsfn · 01-12-2007, 01:21 AM

That would be the ultimate travesty, IMO, to move a team like the Pens to KC. Any team for that matter.

kngpin328 · 01-12-2007, 01:30 PM

I would rather see them go to portland or winnipeg rather than KC or vegas

John F · 01-12-2007, 01:36 PM

Hell, you want exposure? Move the team to Chicago and put them in direct competition with Wirtz Lack-hawks.

You would make more of an impact having a strong franchise in Chicago than putting young talent at risk by having them play 42 games a season in Sin City.

Neithe ris likely to happen. KC is the front runner and I hate the idea of the Pens moving to the plains.

Timberwolf · 01-17-2007, 05:03 PM

I don't know if KC is big enough or enough of a hockey town to support a team. Portland has had Junior A hockey for many years and could have access to the large Seattle media market if the right people were involved.
Winnipeg is certainly a real hockey town. If the U.S./Canada exchange rate were what it is today, they never would have lost the Jets.

John F · 01-17-2007, 05:28 PM

Oh, KC is big enough... I just don't find a great-plains city the place where you want a hockey franchise.

Winnipeg's problems went beyond the exchange rate. The venue factored in. That's also the reason why other teams have moved or threatened to move (the Devils threatened relocation to Tennessee, Hartford relocated because they couldn't get a new arena, The North Stars relocated cuz of the arena in part, etc).

It looks like Pittsburgh is going to be on that list, it would be a shame to have them move to KC (or LV) though.

gord360 · 01-17-2007, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PredDave

TSN : NHL - Canada's Sports Leader

Lemieux to investigate moving Penguins

Owner Mario Lemieux says the team is off the market and he will investigate relocating the Penguins outside Pennsylvania.

"It is time to take control of our own destiny," Lemieux said Thursday in a statement issued by the team.

Lemieux said he needs to take into consideration the long-term viability of the team and begin discussions with other cities that may be interested in an NHL franchise.

But he also said he'll continue to investigate an arena plan in Pittsburgh.

"As soon as we are no longer restricted by our agreement with Isle of Capri from negotiating an arena deal here, in the next few weeks, we will also begin discussions with local leaders about a viable Pittsburgh arena plan," he said.

The team's future in Pittsburgh is in doubt after the state Gaming Control Board denied Isle of Capri Casino a slots licence on Wednesday.

The licence was critical to the team's survival in Pittsburgh as Isle of Capri had promised to spend US$290 million to build the team an arena.

Lemieux's comments also come less than a week after a deal to sell the team to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie fell through.

Kansas City, Las Vegas, Houston, Portland and Winnipeg are among the cities hoping to lure an NHL team.

gord360 · 01-17-2007, 08:19 PM

Winnipeg is a foolish move for Mario. Try Kansas City or Portland, The money is not to be found. The town is too small and the old Jets are an example.

MtAvsfn · 01-20-2007, 01:14 AM

Portland would be a 100% better choice than crap-hole KC.

Bjindaho · 01-22-2007, 02:51 PM

That new arena looks pretty nice

12-21-2006, 12:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Pittsburgh Penguins on the move? http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=189251&hubname=nhl Lemieux to investigate moving Penguins Owner Mario Lemieux says the team is off the market and he will investigate relocating the Penguins outside Pennsylvania. "It is time to take control of our own destiny," Lemieux said Thursday in a statement issued by the team. Lemieux said he needs to take into consideration the long-term viability of the team and begin discussions with other cities that may be interested in an NHL franchise. But he also said he'll continue to investigate an arena plan in Pittsburgh. "As soon as we are no longer restricted by our agreement with Isle of Capri from negotiating an arena deal here, in the next few weeks, we will also begin discussions with local leaders about a viable Pittsburgh arena plan," he said. The team's future in Pittsburgh is in doubt after the state Gaming Control Board denied Isle of Capri Casino a slots licence on Wednesday. The licence was critical to the team's survival in Pittsburgh as Isle of Capri had promised to spend US$290 million to build the team an arena. Lemieux's comments also come less than a week after a deal to sell the team to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie fell through. Kansas City, Las Vegas, Houston, Portland and Winnipeg are among the cities hoping to lure an NHL team.

01-11-2007, 04:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
LemaireisGOD Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 504	I'm thinking KC. The Arena is built, and the city is actively courting the Penguins already. As much as I think Kansas City wouldn't be that great of a move to me its the most LIKELY move. Although; perhaps having Crosby and Malkin in Vegas would give the league some exposure. Call them the Gamblers perhaps? __________________ "Why mess around with PT Boats when you can have a Destroyer?" ~ Al Strachan (Hockey Night in Canada)

01-17-2007, 08:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
gord360 New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	Mario on the move. Winnipeg is a foolish move for Mario. Try Kansas City or Portland, The money is not to be found. The town is too small and the old Jets are an example.

01-22-2007, 02:51 PM	#12 (permalink)
Bjindaho Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Saint John, NB Posts: 67	That new arena looks pretty nice __________________ God is Dead - Nietzsche Nietzsche is Dead - God Death arises only for those who refute themselves - Me

12-21-2006, 02:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	The team has been bankrupt twice in Pittsburgh. They can't get a new arena built. It's sad but it's time to move the franchise. I just don't want the team going to Las Vegas or KC...

01-12-2007, 01:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
MtAvsfn Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 328	That would be the ultimate travesty, IMO, to move a team like the Pens to KC. Any team for that matter.

01-12-2007, 01:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
kngpin328 New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4	I would rather see them go to portland or winnipeg rather than KC or vegas

01-12-2007, 01:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	Hell, you want exposure? Move the team to Chicago and put them in direct competition with Wirtz Lack-hawks. You would make more of an impact having a strong franchise in Chicago than putting young talent at risk by having them play 42 games a season in Sin City. Neithe ris likely to happen. KC is the front runner and I hate the idea of the Pens moving to the plains.

01-17-2007, 05:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
Timberwolf Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,654	I don't know if KC is big enough or enough of a hockey town to support a team. Portland has had Junior A hockey for many years and could have access to the large Seattle media market if the right people were involved. Winnipeg is certainly a real hockey town. If the U.S./Canada exchange rate were what it is today, they never would have lost the Jets.

01-17-2007, 05:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	Oh, KC is big enough... I just don't find a great-plains city the place where you want a hockey franchise. Winnipeg's problems went beyond the exchange rate. The venue factored in. That's also the reason why other teams have moved or threatened to move (the Devils threatened relocation to Tennessee, Hartford relocated because they couldn't get a new arena, The North Stars relocated cuz of the arena in part, etc). It looks like Pittsburgh is going to be on that list, it would be a shame to have them move to KC (or LV) though.

01-20-2007, 01:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
MtAvsfn Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 328	Portland would be a 100% better choice than crap-hole KC.