Pittsburgh moving To.....(?)

[Magootz]

Don't know what to say about this one, I'll let you guys do the talking.

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.

Here's the link

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

 

[Srt4gurl]

Kansas City Twisters *Emblem* Tornado
Las Vegas HighRollers *Emblem* Dice
Houston LongHorns *Emblem* Horns named with Bugjam's Help
Portland LumberJacks *Emblem* Ax named with Bugjam's help
Winnipeg *thinking about this one* help me out with this one

 

[Nick2317]

Thanks alot Mario ya friggin liar .....

 

[hockeytown]

I hope they stay in Pitt. but if not I hope they cross the border and relocate up north. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[sojuking75]

I hope they move to Vegas. I'll be the newest Crosby Stalker!!!

 

[penguinsrock93]

Thanks alot Mario ya friggin liar .....

Don't you dare blame Mario on this one. The guy has spent years trying to get this team to stay put. He's sick and tired of this crap as am I. How the hell can the city not give the license to the Isle of Capri bid? They would have built a bloody brand new arena in the city for FREE! This whole debate is pointless as it makes little sense at all. Mario has bent over backwards to make this team stay but everything around him is backwards. I hate to say it but the city of Pittsburgh and state of Pennsylvania does not deserve this franchise. Move 'em out of there and stop torturing the fans!

 

[Nick2317]

The CITY had nothng to do with the Casino stuff it was STATE Officials who decided as they said the Isle of Capri didnt have enough support which is BS ....I just dont get how we can give the crappy pirates who have been rebuilding for 15 years a new stadium but cant give the penguins one who have 2 if not 3 of the brightest stars in the league and are selling out every game the last 2 years

 

[Nathan7070]

Heard Melrose on ESPN call them the "Kansas City Penguins"....if they go there, which I hope they stay in Pitt, they better change the name!

 

[penguinsrock93]

Your right I was typing way to fast. I meant to say the State. It's obvious from all these dealings that hockey is not even on the radar in the State. It's sad to say but I don't care anymore what happens. This has been dragging out for years. As an outside pens fan does it really matter if I cheer for the Pittsburgh Pens or the Istanbul Pens? Same crap I guess.

 

[PhilM]

Don't you dare blame Mario on this one. The guy has spent years trying to get this team to stay put. He's sick and tired of this crap as am I. How the hell can the city not give the license to the Isle of Capri bid? They would have built a bloody brand new arena in the city for FREE! This whole debate is pointless as it makes little sense at all. Mario has bent over backwards to make this team stay but everything around him is backwards. I hate to say it but the city of Pittsburgh and state of Pennsylvania does not deserve this franchise. Move 'em out of there and stop torturing the fans!

Thank you,

to even THINK of blaming Mario for ANY of this is beyond reprehensible.
The man has lost millions and millions trying to save this franchise, and keep it in Pittsburgh,

It's a complete joke this last week in the franchise, to deny IOC of the slots license is an absolute joke.

 

[Magootz]

I think Mario has gone above and beyond what is required from an owner in his quest to keep the team in Pittsburgh. This dates back to when he was a player (not owner) and told the team that he would take a paycut as well as a "pay me later" in order to keep the team from going deeper into debt. He was owed $30 Million when all was said and done. I believe Mario has always wanted nothing more than to keep the team in Pittsburgh. I think you have to blame the State for going with the "other guys" when choosing the Casino, they (the other guys) must have offered something more that would benefit the City.

My 2 cents No Mario bashing

Thanks alot Mario ya friggin liar .....

 

[slappy69]

Sorry Nick, Mario saved that team over and over again. Without him they would have been done the the 80's. First as a player then as the owner. They owed him buckets of $$ so he took it back as ownership.

Bottem line is Pittsburg need a modern rink and if the city /State won't ante up then someone else will.

As for Winnipeg I'd love to see it but its going to be tough. 10 % chance at best.

We made a big mistake in 1996 $$ was in place for a rink but at that time no one wanted to own a team. This situation looks reversed.

Little Bettman want another team in the south for his grand footprint , so I'll guess it KC or Oklahoma City. Another team no one will care about.