A Crime, Absloute Crime...

[gee2626 0]

I know a lot of people won't like this idea but why not put another team in toronto, Toronto is bye far the most popular hockey place in North America and if New York have 3 teams, why can't Toronto have 2 teams, I know that compared to New York the team would make a lot more profit,(in NY) but compared to harford and other places mentioned Toronto would defently have the edge and with the knew CBA and the high Canadian dollar i honsetly don't think its that bad of an idea

Just me 2 cents

That wouldn't be a bad idea, however, it seems most leafs fans are quite loyal to their team and I would imagine it be difficult for them convert and cheer for another team.

[Chadd 916]

I know a lot of people won't like this idea but why not put another team in toronto, Toronto is bye far the most popular hockey place in North America and if New York have 3 teams, why can't Toronto have 2 teams, I know that compared to New York the team would make a lot more profit,(in NY) but compared to harford and other places mentioned Toronto would defently have the edge and with the knew CBA and the high Canadian dollar i honsetly don't think its that bad of an idea

Just me 2 cents

The place most often mentioned is Hamilton but that would have an effect on Buffalo as well. I agree that the Toronto market is probably the most able to support another franchise but they would have to do some market research to determine the best location for the team.

[hip check 0]

MLSE would veto another team coming into their turf. That's a reason why Hamilton doesn't have a team of their own... in the NHL.

[Chadd 916]

MLSE would veto another team coming into their turf.  That's a reason why Hamilton doesn't have a team of their own... in the NHL.

Actually it has a lot more to do with potentially killing a Buffalo franchise that has had financial problems for a very long time.

[msander 0]

Jumping back a bit onto the Winnipeg situation. The MTS Centre opened last year and currently has a seating capacity of 15000 and change. Apparently, if given the chance to support an NHL franchise the building could be retrofitted to bring attendance up to 16,500 or so. Obviously then, if the city could sell out 16000+ seats a game then they would be selling enough tickets to be competitive in that aspect of things. However, selling seats was not the problem in Winnipeg in the past and it wouldn't be in the present either. As a city of only 700k people, the city could not garner enough corporate support to sustain a team. Whether or not they would be able to get big business behind a team at this point, now that they have a beautiful new building to entertain in, is an interesting question. I'm sure that the NHL will look at Winnipeg in the future, but the prospect of success would have to look very good indeed to convince them to put a franchise back into a city that already failed once. It's embarrassing enough for the league to have to admit a franchise is unsustainable once, twice in the same locale would be disastrous.

[jeffw 1]

He makes an extra 6 mil or so after 25 games. I'm sure he'll play about 20, but they'll be late if they're close to a playoff spot. And He was going to be sent down anyway. Thibault was supposed to play yesterday and Caron was coming off IR today anyway.

I thought it was $4M total if he hit his incentives?

Even if the money for a new building was approved tomorrow, a new building wouldn't be built before the lease expires. The city might as well say goodbye now.

I read not long ago that the Pens will stay beyond the expiration of the current lease (year to year) as long as the wheels are in motion on getting a new barn built.

It was an interview with the team President Ken Sawyer.

[Chadd 916]

What's he going to say? "We're out of here as soon as the lease expires, come get your season tickets now"

[Jim A 4]

Paul Allen will pay big bucks to get the team, Mario will get the $ long due him, and keep some % of ownership....Sidney will give them a face for the franchise and with some serious $ in the mix, the Pens will become a force in the western conference...the key is who would move to the East? (Washington back to the Atlantic and Nashville to the Southeast?)

[McCabe#1 0]

I think Detroit would move over to the East, setting them up to play Toronto a lot more. That was a great rivalry. If not Detroit, I believe the farthest east team in the West is Columbus.

[Chadd 916]

Paul Allen will pay big bucks to get the team, Mario will get the $ long due him, and keep some % of ownership....Sidney will give them a face for the franchise and with some serious $ in the mix, the Pens will become a force in the western conference...the key is who would move to the East? (Washington back to the Atlantic and Nashville to the Southeast?)

Mario sold most of his interest to the new owner though he still retains a small ownership level.

[jrhky36 1]

put a franchise back into a city that already failed once.

the north stars left and now minn gets the wild. it could be alot like cleveland after the browns left.

i agree that if the penns move it should be north(can) not south. there is talk the the saint won't go back to NO and stay in san antinano.

as far as the farthest team in hte west that is in the east it would be nash. if the penns go north (winnipeg) i think the wings should move to the east setting up org six match ups.

[Chadd 916]

put a franchise back into a city that already failed once.

the north stars left and now minn gets the wild. it could be alot like cleveland after the browns left.

i agree that if the penns move it should be north(can) not south. there is talk the the saint won't go back to NO and stay in san antinano.

as far as the farthest team in hte west that is in the east it would be nash. if the penns go north (winnipeg) i think the wings should move to the east setting up org six match ups.

Chicago is in the west as well, you would have 5 in the east and one in the west. Nashville to the South East, Washington to the Atlantic.

[43%burnt 0]

the whole MAF thing is just nuts really. its funny, the night that mario and gonchar don't play, the pens look great. when eddy o plays the kids, they do well.

as far as moving the team. i always thought portland was one of the main front running that wanted to get a major hockey team.

[Chadd 916]

the whole MAF thing is just nuts really. its funny, the night that mario and gonchar don't play, the pens look great. when eddy o plays the kids, they do well.

as far as moving the team. i always thought portland was one of the main front running that wanted to get a major hockey team.

They signed too many of the wrong veterans and finances are dictating too many decisions(just like before the lockout). Some of the kids deserve a lot more ice time then they're getting.

Portland has been the longest rumored-destination because they were the only ones to have a new building for a while but Paul Allen has said he's not interested a couple times. Other groups have done more to express interest in recent years.

[jeffw 1]

A new development on the Penguins area...

The city-Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority is offering land and development rights to any slot machine casino operator or private investor who's willing to commit to building a new arena.

SEA board members unanimously passed a resolution yesterday stating that they would make available a site in the vicinity of Mellon Arena and negotiate development rights to any "qualified group" with or without a slots license willing to make such a commitment.

Shortly after the board vote, Mayor Tom Murphy, Mayor-elect Bob O'Connor and county Chief Executive Dan Onorato issued a statement in support of the SEA's action.

"It is critical that we begin to put the pieces in place to secure the Penguins' future in Pittsburgh with a new arena," Mr. Murphy said.

"This city needs a world-class, multi-purpose arena complex," Mr. O'Connor added. "I agree that this effort will require private funding and support from the commonwealth."

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05323/609148.stm

[Hobbes_86 0]

Finally mayor smurfy wakes up!

'bout time they see that the Pens need state help to build the new arena. I hope this works out well for the Pens and everyone involved.

[msander 0]

I hate to say it but I hope it doesn't work out at all! I'd love to see penguins end up in Portland...that means Sid would be out west and I'd get to see him play more than 5 games.

[Hobbes_86 0]

lol

center ice package ;)

[Chadd 916]

Unless the people building the new arena also own the team it isn't going to help much, if at all.

[Mach1 0]

If I was MAF I would demand a trade soon. He is losing approx. 3.9mil when they send him down to the minors. It is obvious he is there best goalie, and they treat him like crap. The ONLY reason he gets sent down is to not pay him, but they went out in the summer and paid a bunch of over-priced vetrans a lot of money, when MAF could win more games for them. I'm disappointed that the penguins aren't more interested in winning hockey games, they deserve to miss the playoffs.

I agree 100%. If T-bo was playing well, they would have a case to keep him down for "development" , but T-bo looks like shit. he had one decent game all year.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

Chiodo is better than T-bo.. It just seems like he doesnt show up to play, ever.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Where is Chiodo now? If T-Bo is starting in the NHL, Fleury in the AHL and Caron in there somewhere, it seems like a waste having Chiodo backing up in the AHL.

[MDE3 0]

Winnipeg population 700k

Houston population 1.9M

What's the population of Ottawa?