Penguins sold?

[Sodboy13]

NHL alignment if the Pens do move to Houston (teams that switch divisions in bold):

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division

New Jersey

N.Y. Islanders

N.Y. Rangers

Philadelphia

Washington

Northeast Division

Buffalo

Boston

Montreal

Ottawa

Toronto

Southeast Division

Atlanta

Carolina

Florida

Nashville

Tampa Bay

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Central Division

Chicago

Columbus

Detroit

Minnesota

St. Louis

Northwest Division

Calgary

Colorado

Edmonton

San Jose

Vancouver

Southwest Division (former Pacific)

Anaheim

Dallas

Houston

Los Angeles

Phoenix

Well, dang, that alignment makes all kinds of sense. I like it, though I don't like the idea of the Penguins leaving Pittsburgh.

If they do go to Houston, they'd practically have to be the Aeros, wouldn't they?

[Phil]

Man, seeing the Penguins go to Hamilton would tick me off so much, I can't even begin to describe. But that's my anti-southern Ontario-bias showing through.

That said, Randy Turner of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote an article, and the gist of it is that either the $175million purchase price is way too much for a struggling franchise without venue-issues, or else its indicative of the direction NHL franchise values under the new system.

Either way, it's real bad news for the prospects of a return of the Jets - the initial fixed costs would be too prohibitive, even if operating in Winnipeg would be possible. There just aren't enough billionaires in Winnipeg who would finance the team initially, even if running a team in Winnipeg would be feasible. Which really blows.

[CC97]

Man, seeing the Penguins go to Hamilton would tick me off so much, I can't even begin to describe. But that's my anti-southern Ontario-bias showing through.

That said, Randy Turner of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote an article, and the gist of it is that either the $175million purchase price is way too much for a struggling franchise without venue-issues, or else its indicative of the direction NHL franchise values under the new system.

Either way, it's real bad news for the prospects of a return of the Jets - the initial fixed costs would be too prohibitive, even if operating in Winnipeg would be possible. There just aren't enough billionaires in Winnipeg who would finance the team initially, even if running a team in Winnipeg would be feasible. Which really blows.

I dunno... if he can't get permisison from the Leafs and Sabres to move to Hamilton, I could see him moving them to Winnipeg

[rams80]

NHL alignment if the Pens do move to Houston (teams that switch divisions in bold):

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division

New Jersey

N.Y. Islanders

N.Y. Rangers

Philadelphia

Washington

Northeast Division

Buffalo

Boston

Montreal

Ottawa

Toronto

Southeast Division

Atlanta

Carolina

Florida

Nashville

Tampa Bay

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Central Division

Chicago

Columbus

Detroit

Minnesota

St. Louis

Northwest Division

Calgary

Colorado

Edmonton

San Jose

Vancouver

Southwest Division (former Pacific)

Anaheim

Dallas

Houston

Los Angeles

Phoenix

Well, dang, that alignment makes all kinds of sense. I like it, though I don't like the idea of the Penguins leaving Pittsburgh.

If they do go to Houston, they'd practically have to be the Aeros, wouldn't they?

From what I've heard elsewhere, the Aeros name WOULD NOT be passed on to any NHL franchise in Houston. I guess the second choice there would be Apollos.

[steiny_ramone]

I would not like to see the Pens move to Hamilton. I live right in the middle of the Leafs-Slugs axis and have more than enough hockey withing 2.5 hours of me. There is really no point inhaving that many NHL teams so concentrated together. I'd love to see another Canadian team, but not in Hamilton.

[CJR]

NHL alignment if the Pens do move to Houston (teams that switch divisions in bold):

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division

New Jersey

N.Y. Islanders

N.Y. Rangers

Philadelphia

Washington

Northeast Division

Buffalo

Boston

Montreal

Ottawa

Toronto

Southeast Division

Atlanta

Carolina

Florida

Nashville

Tampa Bay

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Central Division

Chicago

Columbus

Detroit

Minnesota

St. Louis

Northwest Division

Calgary

Colorado

Edmonton

San Jose

Vancouver

Southwest Division (former Pacific)

Anaheim

Dallas

Houston

Los Angeles

Phoenix

The Red Wings have reportedly already petitioned the NHL to move east should an Eastern Conference team move west, they want to have more of their Original Six rivalries back.

[appleclock]

The Red Wings have reportedly already petitioned the NHL to move east should an Eastern Conference team move west, they want to have more of their Original Six rivalries back.

I know Detroit wants to be the next team to flip to the East but I don't think it should happen for two reasons:

1) It would leave Chicago the only O6 team in the West, and

2) They'd probably kick Boston from the Northeast into the Atlantic, thus splitting up the Montreal-Boston division rivalry. If Detroit joined the Atlantic Division, or if Buffalo joined the Atlantic Division (even though that doesn't make a lot of sense geographically), that'd make it better.

Personally, if Pittsburgh went to the West, I'd rather see Columbus take their place. Of course I doubt Philadelphia and the three NY-area teams would care to see the Blue Jackets in their building like 8 times a year or whatever it is now for divisional matchups. They'd love to have Detroit or Boston, though.

[The_Admiral]

If the Wings go east, the Hawks go east. Maybe this wouldn't be such a bad idea to reunite the Maple Leafs with their Great Lakes rivals.

[youcan'tseeme]

Lets hope for Kitchner-Waterloo, Hamilton, Winnipeg, or Quebec!

[CJR]

Personally, if Pittsburgh went to the West, I'd rather see Columbus take their place. Of course I doubt Philadelphia and the three NY-area teams would care to see the Blue Jackets in their building like 8 times a year or whatever it is now for divisional matchups. They'd love to have Detroit or Boston, though.

I think that Columbus makes more sense geographically but I give more weight to the historical ties Detroit has to the teams in the East than I do geography.

And while Nashville seems to be a good fit into the Southeast Division, that would mean putting a Central Time Zone team into the East while two Eastern Time Zone teams are still stuck in the West.

[Maz]

You guys having fun laughing at an entire city's misfortune? Losing the pens would deal a hard blow to the city and the people. But you guys always seem to fail to see that.

1. If the Isle of Capris plan is approved by the gaming commision, the arena would be paid for almost entirely with private funds. That means with no expense to the team or by taxes.

2. The land is bought and the arena is ready to be built. All they need is the design, money, and the word. Theyre saying it could begin as soon as next year, and be finished within a few.

3. If the IOC plan is approved, the NHL would be able to bar the move, as a plan for a new arena would be in place, and it would save the NHL alot of trouble in realigning and whatnot.

So, basically. Its riding on the IOC plan, but thats what its been doing for a year now. Well find out for sure this December.

Winnipeg, Hartford & Quebec fans, you know what its like to lose a team. Do you really want to wish that on anyone else?

[zer0dotcom]

Winnipeg, Hartford & Quebec fans, you know what its like to lose a team. Do you really want to wish that on anyone else?

Yes they do, as do many of their fans from other cities. You know what they've been told for years and years?

TOUGH , Get Over it, They Aren't Coming Back.

If people want the Pens to stay in Pittsburgh so bad, then why doesn't someone from Pittsburgh buy the team and promise to keep them there?

I'm not laughing or making fun of the team in any way, but this is how it goes. This man has bought the team. If he wants to move it somewhere hard enough, it's going to get moved. The same way that the Nordiques, Whalers, Jets and North Stars were. Like the Rockies were in the 80's. If they truely do have an arena plan set up, I'd day break ground as fast as you can and get that puppy built. But if they really wanted the team to stay, someone who wants that should have bought the team from Mario a long time ago

[Mac the Knife]

As someone who grew up in the Pittsburgh area (teen years) and attended God knows how many games at the Civic Arena (sorry, don't remember what corporate whoring they did with the name, and wouldn't refer to the place by that name if I did), I'm saddened to see the Pens sold yet again, and even moreso by the prospect that they could be moved.

That being said, and having followed the details of this now years-long saga from a distance, if the Isle of Capri deal doesn't get approved, (1) the people of Pittsburgh should lynch the gaming commission, and then (2) they should blame themselves as well. The Pens have needed a new facility for nearly two decades and nothing, NOTHING was done.

The Steelers got a new stadium, and rewarded the city with another Super Bowl.

The Pirates got a new stadium, and looking back on it, their ownership didn't deserve it.

The Penguins got nothing, and Mario deserved far better than this. He deserved priority over McClatchy in the facilities pecking order.

So Mario threw up his hands and sold the team, and they might move. Too bad, so sad, go call your dad...

[Maz]

alright, okay, fine.

But how is it our fault? Its the city's fault, not the people.

And the city isn't going to build an arena right away without a blueprint or money, that's all that's holding them back. They have the land, government approval, etc. And there were plenty of people form Pittsburgh trying to buy the pens, this guy was just able to give a better deal.

[gueman]

Well as some one who lost a team and got another cities. The rules are very very clear. IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME. IF YOU DON'T THEY WILL MOVE!. As much as it sucks that is the way the sports world works. In Baltimore we never thought they Colts would leave they did. The people in Cleveland were just as naive. No one should ever take what they have for granted. Hell that works for just about everything in life.

If the casino thing is approved then the Pens will be in Pittsburg for a long time, or until the arena in out dated. If not then they will move to the city with the best offer.

[Mac the Knife]

alright, okay, fine.

But how is it our fault? Its the city's fault, not the people.

And the city isn't going to build an arena right away without a blueprint or money, that's all that's holding them back. They have the land, government approval, etc. And there were plenty of people form Pittsburgh trying to buy the pens, this guy was just able to give a better deal.

That's just it, Maz - I remember discussions about building a replacement for the Civic Arena. In 1984.

They've dragged their feet for literally DECADES. The people of Pittsburgh, while definitely supportive of the team itself, have seemingly put little pressure on their elected officials to get progress in this area. Granted there are more important things than building the Pens a new arena, but when the Steelers and Pirates got their deals through the city/state coalition, the Penguins should have benefited as well, and the citizens of the 'Burgh should've fought like hell for the third piece of the puzzle rather than take the approach "We'll get to them later." That's how Cleveland lost the Browns, and that's unfortunately how Pittsburgh very well may lose the Pens.

[Bleujayone]

Ladies and Gentlemen presenting the Hamilton Steelheads!

Steelheads Logos & Powerplay Gallery

Oddly enough "Power Play" was shot at Copps and was about a ficticious NHL that threatened to move to the States.

[fonz]

Ladies and Gentlemen presenting the Hamilton Steelheads!

Steelheads Logos & Powerplay Gallery

Oddly enough "Power Play" was shot at Copps and was about a ficticious NHL that threatened to move to the States.

Ha, I remember that show. Too bad it wasn't on longer.

[Phil]

alright, okay, fine.

But how is it our fault? Its the city's fault, not the people.

And the city isn't going to build an arena right away without a blueprint or money, that's all that's holding them back. They have the land, government approval, etc. And there were plenty of people form Pittsburgh trying to buy the pens, this guy was just able to give a better deal.

You know, I'd really feel for the citizens of Pittsburgh if they lost the Penguins. But at least it'd be losing your beloved team to a city that would appreciate them.

What are the Coyotes in Phoenix... fifth, after the AFL's Rattlers?

Plus, then Winnipeg would be getting a team with Crosby, Malkin, Staal, and Fleury. If that team stays together for five years, look out. Heck, if that team stays together for three years, look out.

[tBBP]

Ladies and Gentlemen presenting the Hamilton Steelheads!

Steelheads Logos & Powerplay Gallery

Oddly enough "Power Play" was shot at Copps and was about a ficticious NHL that threatened to move to the States.

Am I the only onw who might see an odd bit of irony in that nickname? IF the Penguins move to Hamilton, and take on the nickname "Steelheads"--you know, with Pittsburgh being the "Steel City" and all--man, talk about gashing a wound!

Now I wasn't around here when Heinz Field and PNC Park were built. I could see how the Steelers got a new stadium--and anyone who knows anything about Pittsbugh should know exactly what I mean by that. I mean--for Christ's sake the Port Authority Transit system here is discussing plans to build an underwater trolley railway from the current end of the line in downtown at the Gateway over to the North Shore where Heinz Field (and PNC Park) sit! What can you say--the city beds over BACKWARDS AND THE OTHER WAY AROUND FOR THE STEELERS.

Now, didn't the Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cups in the early '90's? They ain't always been losers--I think the city could have done them much better. the Mellon dome (the official "corporate whoring" of what many native Pgh'ers know as Civic Arena is now Mellon Arena) is falling apart.

Well--guess we'll have to play wait-and-see with this...