The Official NHL Thread

[Va Beach VH Fan]

I guess that's where the good management you mention comes into play....

[Romeo Delight]

What a series of events in Pittsburgh!!

Now that the state has approved the slots license to the only one that made no sense, Mario knows that there are forces at work here that he can't control.

I hear that The Steelers and Pirates made sure that this slots deal didn't happen.

Too bad, but I think they are gone. When Mario says the team is off the market, you know he is pissed.

I think that Seattle is the best hockey market that could support a team.

TV revenue could be generated from Portland and there is cash there.

Only problem there is the Key arena, which is configured for only 12 k for hockey

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Well, with all due respect Flamma, you're sounding like most hockey fans outside of Pittsburgh, they don't know all of the particulars of the Pens' situation, and instead they're selectively picking out bits and pieces of these statements....

Just realize that Mario is using the media now (and rightly so) to get the best deal out of Plan B that he can get....

Most of my spouting off has been on my blog anyways...

They're not going anywhere...

[ALinChainz]

Someone steps up ... I just can't see them moving either, but who knows ... seems like the league will be right there helping them stay as well.

[Romeo Delight]

They should stay, that is for sure. For a team with the history they have, to leave would be a crime.

Someone please explain how the winning slots bid got the nod?

Tell me the Pirates and Steelers didn't have everything to do with it.

It sure stinks.

[ALinChainz]

I'm not sure either, but I have never understood why they have any financial problems with that state and the support they have for their teams.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Originally posted by DavidFlamma
Someone please explain how the winning slots bid got the nod?

Tell me the Pirates and Steelers didn't have everything to do with it.

It sure stinks.

Well, officially, that won't be known for a couple of months when their report comes out...

But here's my opinions...

1. PITG had the least amount of controversy, meaning IOC had the ownership SNAFU with the Pens, and FC (Harrah's) had the takeover talks going on, along with already really shitty parking around Station Square, where their casino would be held.

2. PITG had the only minority owner. No, I'm not throwing out the race card, but it was already known that the board was looking for more minority representation in the area.

The Pirates and Steelers absolutely HATE that PITG won. They are putting their casino along the North Shore, BETWEEN PNC Park and Heinz Field. So talk about parking problems, how about 65,000 Steeler fans along with a couple more thousand in the casino ??

That's about it....

[ALinChainz]

KC, Portland, and Houston the rumored early front runners for the team.

KC has supposively offered to build an arena for them for free.

[Romeo Delight]

Portland or Seattle are the best hockey towns.

1916-17 - Seattle Metropolitians Stanley Cup Champions

[POJO_Risin]

I'm just going to make a couple of points here...

and I've spent 2 days looking at every damn thing that I could on the topic...

and I'm back full circle...

I firmly believe that Pittsburgh will lose the Penguins. Va will refute it...and I'm glad he is...but the bottom line is that everything GOOD that's happened has blown up in their face. There are ways they can stay...but I'm just not sure how viable they are.

Ownership bullshit, the slots...this proposed Plan B...

I saw in your Blog Va that you said every team pays for the arena they are in. That's just not true, in particular, teams that move.

it's called the Sweetheart deal, made popular by Art Modell, who had everyone in Baltimore sucking his old, wrinkled crank (he still ended up losing money, when he was given EVERYTHING free of charge).

My brother and sister in laws live in Kansas City, and deal in the marketing game, and have been laughing their asses of every time I tell them they are full of shit about the Pens moving. It looks more and more real every time.

YO AL, that arena is being built ALREADY...and yes, KC won't ask a new tenant to pay for it in any way. It's the centerpiece for a total, downtown renovation. Now will they have to pay a lease? Of course. But it's called THE SPRINT CENTER. Sprint is already paying their 2.5 million a year to apply the name.

And this damn center is state of the fucking art. It's sickening good really...

and hockey has always been their first goal...

and gee...when will it be ready?

How about October of 2007. Pittsburgh could move and start the year in a NEW ARENA NEXT FUCKING YEAR...IN THE BEST ARENA...OR AT LEAST NEWEST...in the fucking league.

Now I'm not sure that KC will make a push (they will)...or what will happen really...

but here's what the Pens have going for them...

1. Bettman either doesn't want them to leave Pittsburgh, or...make it looks like he doesn't...even though he knows they will.

2. There still is a Plan B...but...with no arena now EVEN PLANNED...it could be 4 or 5 years before we see a finished product...hell...a YEAR before plans are even completed...bids accepted...yada...yada...yada...but there is still the potential for a plan B. Mario didn't seem to like the idea of Tax Payers being used at all.

I do see your points Va...about Mario using the media to sweeten the deal from Pittsburgh...

I also see a guy...who like Modell...who has wanted a new stadium (needed one) for more than 5 years (longer)...was loved in the town for the most part (I never liked Modell, but he wasn't hated in Cleveland by a long stretch until he left)...and was repeatedly rebuffed for a new stadium.

what happened there?

similar situations.

Could they still say?

possible...but I don't think if you say, or even think 50-50 right now...you'd be right...

[POJO_Risin]

Here's from the Trib last year...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_404151.html

[POJO_Risin]

And the Kansas City Star...

connections anyone?

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/16291842.htm

[Romeo Delight]

What about Bettman's role in all of this?

What of these last minute demands for the Blackberry dude to keep the Pens in Pittsburgh for a minimum of seven years???

Uhhhh, no thanks.

What kind of idiot would agree to that kind of 11th hour condition?

Here he was, ready to pay $175 million - clearly WAAAAY ABOVE market value for the club.

The only way Bettman steps in the way he did is if he KNEW who was going to win.

Otherwise, his involvement makes no sense...potentially derailing and causing unneccesary distraction with the final decision looming.

Not a chance he intervenes the way he does without knowing the inside scoop.

The thing is, the Pens have No F-ing chance of signing Crosby Malkin AND Staal when their contracts come due.

If you say they could then you are dreaming. Signing two of them completely screws the rest of your team. Three max deals? And yes, Staal will be that good.

Knowing this, with absolutely no hope of any serious salary cap reform or luxury tax scenario on the horizon, Balsillie was still going to pony up this kind of money, and by doing so propping up the value of each and every NHL franchise.

Why did Bettman step in? I think he owed it to Mario to let him grab his money and run. It was the perfect opportunity for Mario to exit and save face. What more can you ask one man to do?

Rumor is that Balsillie wanted to move the team to Kitchener, Ontario. Not exactly the best location for a new NHL franchise. Dude is rich enough to do so in any market. Maybe Bettman got wind of this?

His involvement has to piss Mario off more than anything.

[Romeo Delight]

Oh yeah, Bettman is the worst commisioner of any pro sports league, in the history of all mankind.

I'm waiting for the puck to be replaced by a ball...maybe a wet tennis ball, and the ice removed, to cater to those southern markets with higher costs for ice maintenance

[Full Bug]

Anyone watching the World Junior Tournament? Was sweet to see the Canada team kick some USA butt yesterday....