http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-p...p&type=lgns

They unanimously turned down $290 million dollars of private money to build a fully-funded arena, and instead are shafting the taxpayers. Now not only is the team's future in Pittsburgh in serious jeopardy, but if "Plan B" does go through, it'll require casinos to be built next to the Steelers and Pirates stadiums, which both teams are strongly against. I'm so pissed right now, it's unreal.

QFT. And I don't even live in Pittsburgh.

Sorry to all of you Pittsburgh fans..however I am excited at the idea of Crosby and company moving to a Canadian City..preferably in Ontario

Here's a good article on it, for those that care:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-p...p&type=lgns

It'd kill me to see it, but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Mario moves the team if another buyer doesn't sign up.

In line with this topic. I am not as pissed as I am dissapointed.

Are there potential owners out there willing to keep the team in Pittsburg and work on the future. I have to believe this is something DN dreams about, not the Penguins just a hockey team in general to be a owner/GM.

The most realistic hopeful owner I want to see get out there is Mark Cuban, his name has been tossed around a bit. Just for a moment think about how he's changed basketball. some say he hasn't hes bad for the game, others say he's changed the game. With a high octane offensive scheme, directed at making the game more enjoyable for fans. That being the key, he is a fan himself so he makes everything he can possibly do to have the game exciting and enjoyabe for his fans. Could you imagine that for the Pittsburg fans, the stadium with a higher capacity and packed every night for the next 15 years with Crosby leading the way to a new open offensive scheme. Not that the Pens can't score right now, but for a player who will be one of the all time greats if he doesn't have any serious injuries. I could see Crosby put a season together 2.5-2.8 pts per game.

So are there any other realistic potential owners out there? DN do you have the capital or even the desire to consider something like this with maybe some friends or a corperate backer?

Wow 2.5-2.8 pts game...I just dont see that happening...There has only been two players in the game that have done that..and we all know who they are

I'd love for Cuban to be an owner or part-owner. He has Pittsburgh ties and doesn't mind opening the wallet and treating the players right.

A few things:

1) PITG won the slots. PITG's casino WILL be built on the north shore, right by Heinz Field, close to PNC Park.

2) PITG's plan has 7.5 mil/year over 30 years going to a new arena.

3) Pittsburgh has an H in it.

4) Cuban has Pittsburgh ties...as in, he was born and raised here (until after college at IU).

Mark Cuban told me once he was highly interested in buying the Penguins... he even talked to Mario about it. And less than a year ago he said 'No way'.

Too lazy to look it up. Who? I was pretty sure Gretz and Lemieux never avg'd that high.

He didnt say average...said one year...2.5 pts is about 200 a year...Gretzky got there and Lemieux was close

Before Lemieux came out of retirement, he was the ONLY player in the league to average > 2 points per game over his career at 2.002 or something close to that. It's lower now, obv, but no one else has done it in their career.

Furthermore, the NHL was WAAAAAAY different when Gretz scored 200 points. It would never happen in this day in age. Better defense overall.

A lot can happen in less than a year: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburgh...s/s_485142.html

"Perhaps the most intriguing suitor is Mt. Lebanon native Mark Cuban, a dot-com billionaire who owns the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA. Cuban has contacted the NHL about buying the Penguins, a league source told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Cuban has not respond to repeated e-mails."

I can't say I'm disappointed because I never expected Isle of Capri to win. I mean whoever thinks $290 up front is better than 7.5 million/year for 30 years is crazy. (Obvious SW) Any owner looking into the Penguins would have to be a little crazy to ensure they would stay in Pittsburgh when they'd have to put up their own money for a new arena. There are number of cities courting the Penguins with their brand new arena's already in place.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/hock...e.ap/index.html

first lets make fun of me for looking at cnnsi

now, pens are officially exploring options so where do guys think they will seriously look? somewhere in ontario, kansas city, portland, houston? these are just names that always get thrown about.

obviously canada would be the best choice because fans will be going to games and with these players they will probably sellout every single game.

Pittsburgh is a great hockey city (aside from the politicians). I simply don't understand when people say moving elsewhere will bring more people in. Look at when Hartford moved to Carolina, awful attendance for a while. Pittsburgh's attendance is pretty normal, IMO. I don't know why everyone says it isn't.

I don't think you were saying this exactly because of my post (I wasn't trying to say pittsburgh isn't a good hockey town because that's not true) they are looking to move because of arena issues, but it's highly likely that attendance for a team like this would be higher in canada especially ontario than some random city in the US eg: kansas city, houston etc..

My mistake, I obviously missed the season part. I do recall those glory years for Lemieux and Gretz.

And for the love of God, please don't put a team in Houston. Those god damn hicks will not appreciate it.

I go to half the home games every season, and I don't remember going to a game yet this year that wasn't a sell-out. Attendance for the Pens is not a problem, so the move wouldn't be aimed at increasing that in any way.

(double post)

p.s. KC always sells out preseason NHL games at Kemper arena, which is the most watered down NHL action imaginable. Aside from the St. Louis Blues games a few hours down the road. Sid could make any city a good hockey city.

I don't want the Pens to move out of Pittsburgh, though.

Prediction:

Mario Lemieux and Co. move the team to Quebec City and the Nordiques are reborn.

Bold.

I'm trying to think positive now.

Mario has no choice but to talk tough about taking the team outta town. This way it will get the city of Pittsburgh to try to make a deal. In his heart Mario doesn't want to move the team but if the city keeps bending him over a chair like they've been doing ever since he became owner then they're forcing his hand and he'll have to goto KC, etc.