Any Hockey Fans Around???

[RedWingDiver]

Gary Betteman is meeting with Mario and the Penguins...probably to schedule the moving vans.
I doubt they go to KC. Even the guy in KC who made the offer recently stated he doubted they'd move to such a small market. Wouldn't surprise me to see them contact Ballsillie and revisit moving to Hamilton again, or look at Vegas or Portland. Personally, I'd love to see them stay in Pittsburgh, but it seems Mario is finally pissed off enough after years of them pulling his chain, that's he's resigned to moving. If they have to move, I'd love to see the the Whalers franchise resurrected. I used to love driving down to watch games in Hartford.
C-Dawg

I have always liked the Pittsburgh Penguins. Mario was always one of my favorite players. I'm still convinced had he not been hurt as much, he would have shattered Gretzky's records. But that said, I really do hope they move west. Why? Because if they move west, that opens the door for the Wings to finally move to the Eastern Conference. Goodbye 8 games against Nashville and Columbus. Hello 8 games against Montreal and Toronto!!!!

I have heard a number of things about KC, and I really do thing that is the target location. KC has an arena all set to go and they actually commenced a pseudo season ticket sale to see what they really could sell. Plus, they are looking at KC being a natural rival to St. Louis, and the proximity helps the travel in the Central as they would not be far from Chicago, Nashville and Columbus as well.

Balsillie is p*ssed off about how the sale was taken away from him. Rumor has it that he really wanted to move the Penguins to Hamilton, but the NHL nixed that saying that they have workings with KC, Houston and LA. This made the NHL put some last minute clause in the bargaining about limiting his prospects for moving the team. As you would imagine, Balsillie was furious about this and walked away.

Makes a good story, doesn't it? This is basically what I've gleaned from varying sources on CBC, Sportsnet and TSN boards. Take it for however much you want, but at the end of the day, I would put money on KC as the likely destination.

 

[ScubaTexan]

Personally, I'd love to see them stay in Pittsburgh, but it seems Mario is finally pissed off enough after years of them pulling his chain, that's he's resigned to moving.

Let's face it -- if you're in Pittsburgh and you don't have the word STEELERS on your stationary, no one cares about you. If the Penguins move, the Pirates might not be far behind, even with playing in a new stadium. I would love to see the Pens stay, as well. I heard something the other day about possibly looking into Las Vegas, but I can't imagine that, either.

 

[Elevatorguy2]

I had a tough time saying Kansas City Scouts. I even saw them play. If they do move which I doubt there many more deserving cities than KC.

 

[Mthelming]

I'd like to see them go to Quebec, or Winnepeg. I think those markets will welcome a team, as they havent had one in a while! I would say Hartford, but I don't think they can support it. Oh the days of the Whalers.

Go Sabres!

 

[santafejoe]

I hope they stay in Pitt. I cant see Houston ,KC, maybe Las Vegas but why on earth would LA want another NHL team for anyway.

 

[cowjazz]

I'd like to see them go to Quebec, or Winnepeg. I think those markets will welcome a team, as they havent had one in a while! I would say Hartford, but I don't think they can support it. Oh the days of the Whalers.

Go Sabres!

Both of those cities made it abundantly clear they didn't want to do what it would take to keep their old teams. I don't think the Pen's ownership would sleep well at night in those cities. Hartford would never had it. The Whaler's used the same strategy that the Pens are using when they bolted down South: "We have an offer to move to this city. Can you guys match it or beat it to keep us?" There may be some apprehension about going to bed with a lady who acts like your dopey ex-girlfriend.

 

[ScubaTexan]

I think Milwaukee deserves a team, after all these years. The Badgers can't have all the fun, can they?

 

[tedtim]

Both of those cities made it abundantly clear they didn't want to do what it would take to keep their old teams. I don't think the Pen's ownership would sleep well at night in those cities. Hartford would never had it. The Whaler's used the same strategy that the Pens are using when they bolted down South: "We have an offer to move to this city. Can you guys match it or beat it to keep us?" There may be some apprehension about going to bed with a lady who acts like your dopey ex-girlfriend.

Sometimes the second time around may be better, then again - can you say Atlanta Flames/Atlanta Thrashers. What is the NHL doing back in the hockey hotbed of Atlanta? Winnipeg now has an arena that has enough capacity to support an NHL team. The problem is not the city per se, but the size of the market, the cost for travel, and potential TV audience.

Sens 5 Maple Laughs 1

C em on Saturday again.

 

[ScubaTexan]

Blues 5, Stars 3

 

[Mike Veitch]

how about that Jeff Cowan?!?!

Who knew....