Mario Lemieux: Pittsburgh Penguins to move?

[TheMightyFavog]

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=285736&page=NewsPage&service=page

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

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

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


Please move to Milwaukee, Please move to Milwaukee!

Winnepeg Would be cool, too.

[femmocrat]

1. Pittsburghers are up in arms over this!

I'm not even a hockey fan and I'm mad as hell. The Isle of Capri deal seemed like a good solution to keeping the Pens in Pittsburgh and to getting a new arena. Now.... we could lose Mario and the Pens and get a "sleazy" (ok, I know it's supposed to be classy) casino instead? WTF? Who wanted this?! I thought this particular casino was the third or "dark horse" choice???

I just hope it gets tied up in the courts and this deal eventually falls through. I don't think anyone is happy about this here in the 'Burgh.

[newsdude]

2. On the one hand

I'd relish the chance to see Detroit move back to the east ....

On the other hand, Pittsburg is just too good a hockey town to lose, despite the politics that have gone on.

I like the idea of Milwaukee, but would rather have Winnipeg.

I like the Columbus team and wonder if Madison might be a good place for a franchise ... big enough?

[TheMightyFavog]

5. Not without a major renovation to the Kohl Center.

Average arena size for the NHL is 18-19,000

The Kohl Center seats 15,000

IIRC, the smallest arena is about 17,000 seats

[xmas74]

3. This has been the big talk for months in

Kansas City. We've been told that we have an excellent chance of getting a team soon.

[TheMightyFavog]

6. ANOTHER southern franchise?

IMHO, if your city does not see snow on a regualr basis during the winter, you DO NOT deserve an NHL franchise.

EDIT: Yes, I am aware that Kansas City once had an NHL team.

[xmas74]

7. We've been trying for years now.

Another pro team would be a huge revenue boost for KC and proof that renovations to our historic downtown are worthwhile. Plus, KC can draw from half of MO, Southern Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and parts of Arkansas for a fan base. Believe me-they'll do the drive if they get hooked. They already do it for Chiefs games. If properly marketed KC could be a good market-not quite Southern, solid Midwest/Plains and hockey is slowly catching here. Besides, we have to compete w/ St Louis!


And we used to get snow. My first year in Missouri we still had snow.

Everyone around here tells me that the past ten years have been quite unusual for MO. When they were growing up snow was quite common.

[dropkickpa]

4. lemme just say

:grr: :nuke: :grr: :banghead:

I never thought I'd say this, but I fuckin' hate Mario right now. This is lowest, sleaziest sort of tactics. It smacks too much of "I'm taking my ball and going home!!"

Didn't Mark Cuban want to buy into the Pens at one point? HE would have busted his ass (and thrown his wallet) to keep them here, but he got poo-pooed by the owners group. I wonder if they're kicking themselves in the ass right now?