Pens may get out of Pittsburgh!

[Gang Green Girl]

Once the lease on the Mellon Arena expires in 2007, Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux believes there is only "a slim chance" the franchise will remain in Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

Lemieux cites the lack of progress toward getting the up-to-date arena for his pessimistic view.

"I think we're really running out of time," Lemieux told the paper, his tone laced with frustration. "We probably ran out of time already. It's been unfortunate that the city and the county haven't been willing to work with us over the last two or three years."

With potential suitors in Kansas City and possibly Houston on the horizon, the Penguins' board of directors will meet this week with the long-term outlook of the team a likely topic of discussion.

"We'll sit down with everybody [to] understand what's at stake with our investment, and what's best for the franchise," Lemieux told the Post-Gazette.

Even if a new arena is approved, the process of building a new facility takes approximately three years.

"By the time we'd get the arena built, it's going to be another four or five years," Lemieux told the paper. "Can we afford to stay here for another four or five years and assume the losses? I'm not sure."

[stormshadow19]

Hockey "purists" want the team to move to Canada, either Winnipeg or Quebec (both of which have been done, and both failed). I've also heard Hamilton and London, Ontario. State side, Houston, Kansas City, and Portland are all possible locations. And, if they do move to one of those three cities, the Red Wings will move to the East, probably in the division with the Leafs and Senators. Boston or Buffalo will move into the Atlantic division, taking the Pens place.

My opinion? Move em to Portland. They'd be going against the Trailblazers, and it's a hockey hungry territory.

[The Gun Of Bavaria]

I vote for a team in KC....bring back the Scouts. Portland - hockey? While the NW (stateside) is lacking in the NHL area they do have Vancouver up that way. Word is Winnipeg is recruiting hard, already having built a new arena. Perhaps the new bargaining agreement helps the Canadian teams survive but having a financial disaster like Pitt move to a place where they have to be on their financial toes or risk getting hurt worse, that being NHL hockey in Canada doesn't seem likely.

As for hockey in Houston - JUST SAY NO.

I would LOVE to see Detroit in the East. It's a long time coming. I still vote for an Origial 6 diivion.

[stormshadow19]

Actually... Portland is pushing hard for an NHL team too. And, while Vancouver is up that way, they're still six hours on a bus from Portland. KC would be logical. As would Houston. You'd have that natural rivalry with St. Louis too. Shoot... and Sidney would be there.

I'm all for a Chicago/Detroit/Montreal/Toronto/Boston/NY Rangers division... but the beating the Rangers would take, night after night. I mean, Ottawa/Toronto/Montreal/Boston/Detroit... not that bad.