See ya Pens

[JGraz15 53]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=198872&hubname=nhl

[LoXish 0]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see how it's so hard to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh. They're a great team and have a really good fan base in the city, why wouldn't the city do their best to compromise and strike a deal?

[RadioGaGa 162]

I just hope this logo isn't part of the plan:

There is a Sports Obsession store near me that has these in stock right now, in the NHL Vintage Jersey line.

[Chadd 916]

According to the report, the Penguins had agreed to pay $4 million annually in rent and capital expenses to contribute to a new area, as well as an additional $500,000 for a parking garage, but the two sides have not been able to reach an agreement.

If they would have agreed to those conditions three years ago the new building would have been done by now.

'A project of this scope, with so many complex issues, can ill afford further delays that add more risk and more uncertainty. The risk has been magnified by what we perceive as a lack of collaboration from the public sector in the negotiations.

The Penguins are the ones who have delayed this project every step of the way. This is just spin to cover their asses when they move. If they were concerned about a new arena in Pittsburgh, the new owner wouldn't be blowing off the city and state requests for meetings.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see how it's so hard to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh. They're a great team and have a really good fan base in the city, why wouldn't the city do their best to compromise and strike a deal?

Because there is no deal to be made, the team wants to move.

[Vapor 0]

I say brink back the Nordiques like nothing happend. Same Jerseys and all. Even bring back Stephane Fiset.

[DarkStar50 679]

Well, we can't bring back John Kordic or Bryan Fogarty.

[TheSnake22 0]

hmm... 4 million a year in rent and 2 more years of losing money, or free rent and immediate revenue...

and how could they have possibly proposed to give 4 million dollars in rent 3 years ago coming off of bankruptcy, last place, and without sidney crosby and jordan staal? not saying there wasn't a future 3 years ago, but it's wasn't this bright by any means...

[SR27 0]

Well, we can't bring back John Kordic or Bryan Fogarty.

..and Stephane Morin

[chk hrd 164]

financially the Pens where in no position to do anything 3 years ago. Because of the new contract the NHL has with the NHLPA and the addition of some great talent the Pens are now in a better position to bargain.

The other thing that needs to be looked at is what is the financial strength of Pittsburg. There are alot of cities that are failing financially and cannot afford to finance things.

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

Good, now the Wings can move to the East.

[Jake 0]

The fact that this "letter" was leaked to two media outlets simultaneously makes it seem like more.. all be it extreme.. posturing.

It certainly is the 11th hour.

[msander 0]

I certainly hope the Pens move out of Pittsburgh. With Sidney no longer in the Eastern Conference. those 8 or so jerkoff GMs out East will change their minds on the schedule.

[Chadd 916]

I certainly hope the Pens move out of Pittsburgh. With Sidney no longer in the Eastern Conference. those 8 or so jerkoff GMs out East will change their minds on the schedule.

The worst part of a move to KC would be Detroit in the East and Chicago not playing any of the other original 6 teams. I still think Washington should move to the Atlantic and Nashville to the Southeast if the Pens go west. That would still give an opening in the Central so KC could play St Louis.

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

Detroit won't move to the East. They're the biggest road draw in the Western Conference.

[msander 0]

I certainly hope the Pens move out of Pittsburgh. With Sidney no longer in the Eastern Conference. those 8 or so jerkoff GMs out East will change their minds on the schedule.

The worst part of a move to KC would be Detroit in the East and Chicago not playing any of the other original 6 teams. I still think Washington should move to the Atlantic and Nashville to the Southeast if the Pens go west. That would still give an opening in the Central so KC could play St Louis.

For some reason it seems to be assumed that Detroit would be the team "moving east" should the pens leave Pittsburgh. However (and please excuse my possibly incorrect american geography, I am Canadian), isn't Columbus at roughly the same longitude as Detroit, and Nashville just marginally more west then both? Is the rationale for Detroit being the team moving that they've been the Eastern team playing in the Western Conference for the longest period of time, so they have dibs in a manner of speaking?

I personally think your idea is very practical. I would assume if Detroit moves to the east that they would join the NE div. and Boston would be the likely candidate to shift into the Atlantic to replace Pitt. So in any case, some division shuffling is going to be necessary whether it be Detroit, Columbus, or Nashville that moves.

[Chadd 916]

I certainly hope the Pens move out of Pittsburgh. With Sidney no longer in the Eastern Conference. those 8 or so jerkoff GMs out East will change their minds on the schedule.

The worst part of a move to KC would be Detroit in the East and Chicago not playing any of the other original 6 teams. I still think Washington should move to the Atlantic and Nashville to the Southeast if the Pens go west. That would still give an opening in the Central so KC could play St Louis.

For some reason it seems to be assumed that Detroit would be the team "moving east" should the pens leave Pittsburgh. However (and please excuse my possibly incorrect american geography, I am Canadian), isn't Columbus at roughly the same longitude as Detroit, and Nashville just marginally more west then both? Is the rationale for Detroit being the team moving that they've been the Eastern team playing in the Western Conference for the longest period of time, so they have dibs in a manner of speaking?

I personally think your idea is very practical. I would assume if Detroit moves to the east that they would join the NE div. and Boston would be the likely candidate to shift into the Atlantic to replace Pitt. So in any case, some division shuffling is going to be necessary whether it be Detroit, Columbus, or Nashville that moves.

Detroit has been complaining for years and the rumor has been that they will get it if any team goes west. If Nashville doesn't get their ownership problems ironed out, they are the next to move. A long playoff run would really help them attract some local ownership interest.

I am stealing this idea from someone on Fark, it's utterly brilliant. Move the Penguins to Chicago just to fuck Bill Wirtz. Nobody deserves it more than he does.

Detroit won't move to the East. They're the biggest road draw in the Western Conference.

They don't want to be the biggest draw in the western conference, that doesn't generate money for the team.

[chshockey30 0]

Good, now the Wings can move to the East.

hell no

[Trooper 8]

The Penguins couldn't even get the politicos to negotiate three years ago, so how could they have agreed to anything?

What you hear in public is nothing but posturing and nobody except those involved actually know what's going on behind closed doors.

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

Detroit won't move to the East. They're the biggest road draw in the Western Conference.

They don't want to be the biggest draw in the western conference, that doesn't generate money for the team.

I meant it as a NHL stance, not Detroit.

[cbj05 0]

For all these reasons, I think Columbus should be the ones moving to the East. :D

[Chadd 916]

For all these reasons, I think Columbus should be the ones moving to the East. :D

Leaving their closest geographic rival in the west and losing the next closest geographic rival when the Pens move.

[cbj05 0]

Leaving their closest geographic rival in the west and losing the next closest geographic rival when the Pens move.

I understand. But if they came to the east, that would mean I could watch them play at the ACC 2 times each year, rather than once every 3 years. :)

Heck, if they were playing in Buffalo, I'd probably make the trip down to watch.

[EricG. 0]

Houston is probably a better city than KC to have an NHL team. Even then Seattle's new arena is supposed to finished in a couple years, but I remember reading the likely candidate there is Nashville. I'd rather see the Pens move to Vegas than KC. I mean with a new building and having a new pro sports franchise I can see some relative success in the beginning but how long can hockey last in Kansas. Correct me if I'm wrong I just don't see it as a huge hockey market. It's too bad Winnipeg only built 15,000 seats.

[Chadd 916]

As much as I, and a lot of players, would like to see a team in Vegas, the economics really don't work for that.

[scubafrogman 0]

I'd rather see the Pens move to Vegas than KC. I mean with a new building and having a new pro sports franchise I can see some relative success in the beginning but how long can hockey last in Kansas. Correct me if I'm wrong I just don't see it as a huge hockey market. It's too bad Winnipeg only built 15,000 seats.

We might not have much of a market right now but it could be built. Look at Dallas before the North Stars moved there. Dallas (before the Stars) and Kansas City parallel each other in many ways.

Hockey is slowly growing here in Kansas. We have seen a great increase in youth, high school and recreational hockey since the late 90's.

I will agree though that we need a team like Pittsburgh that has big names like Crosby, Malkin, and Staal for the local media and non-hockey fans to jump on the hockey band wagon. I don't think a team like Nashville or Florida could survive here in KC.