Any opinions on the Penguins? (hockey fans post here)

[xmas74]

I'm located outside of KC but grew up just north of Chicago. I grew up watching hockey and would love to give my child the same opportunity.

Question is: does anyone really think they'll leave Pittsburg for KC? I just don't know-I really believe that KC is the pawn in this whole deal. We're more than willing to constantly sweeten the deal, which they immediately take back for a better offer.

Mixed emotions-I'd love an NHL team here but I don't like the idea of the Penguins relocating anywhere. Anyone else have an opinion?

[ohiosmith]

1. They're on the way to Las Vegas. Bet on it.

[xmas74]

2. Vegas says they don't want to be in the middle of it at all.

They said they liked what they heard but they don't want to be used for any wheeling and dealing. Besides, from what I've heard, KC is still offering the best deal out of them all. (They knocked Houston out of it.)

Truthfully, I don't see them coming to KC unless they have to but I don't see Vegas as an option either. Both are just tools to get what they want. Of the two, KC has offered a fantastic deal w/ a brand-new, never been used stadium, amongst other things.

I just don't see them leaving. I think we'll pick up a franchise in a few years instead.

[dropkickpa]

3. Frickin Mario

He's pissing me off royally, because they backed the loser in the slots license race and now they're acting like little kids. KC couldn't support a team before, what makes Mario think they'd be able to do it long term now? Pittsburgh fans are the most loyal fans they'll find anywhere, even when he Pens were stinking up the league for years they sold out home games. Pens fans are loyal through thick and thin, and we grow up loving and supporting the Pens and there are a lot of kids in this city who love 'em, fans for years to come. All this bullshit is doing is souring peoples attitudes towards Mario, and perhaps ultimately the team itself.

[xmas74]

4. From what I've read,

the politicians are getting quite a bit of the blame over this deal too.

KC was, for the most part, promised an NHL team the moment they announced the Sprint deal. (The new stadium that will be ready for this fall.) The Penguins were never part of that in the beginning-it's just one of those things that happened.

I think they could support it if it were advertised properly. I've noticed that nothing was advertised properly around here. This is a town that wants a winter sport to support and we don't have one. And we have quite a few relocating to the area that are from hockey towns, which would help. If someone is willing to stick around for a few years the draw will be there. Lessons can be learned from the past.

The new stadium will be a big draw, no matter what is there.

[dropkickpa]

7. The politicians are being blamed

by the Pens because Isle of Capri didn't land the license.

Rendell had the strongest ties to Harrah's (Station Square), so there's a straw man on that one. Ravenstahl is abiding by the SGB decision for what's best for the city (not to mention the substantial amount of resistance by Hill District residents to the IOC plan).

BUT, having read over the decision papers released by the state gaming board, I have to say, I agree with the SGB. IOC keeping the Pens in Pittsburgh was not quite as done a deal as many would believe (Basille jumping ship on buying the Pens is one example). What, because Mario jumped in bed with them (poor business sense in my eyes, it wasn't a lock), they were supposed to get the license? I do not think that should have been the deciding factor, and I am glad it wasn't. PITG has been projected to bring in substantially larger revenue to the state than IOC.

IOC's plan was a further gutting of the Hill District (the first stage of which happened when civic arena was built), and I do not think plopping a huge casino complex smack dab in a residential neighborhood is responsible. There of course would be an area directly around the development that was swinging towards upscale, but, as happened in Columbus around Nationwide arena, the original residents of the area will be pushed out, further marginalizing them. This type of development does not benefit the current residents, they will not be doing any better, they will just be pushed out of their homes in favor of money-flush newcomers, who will not be doing anything for the Hill, I guarantee you.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Pens and want them to be here forever, but I don't think the IOC plan was the best one for the city.

[Westegg]

6. I agree with ya generally...

As a guy who saw his first Penguins game at the Igloo in '74 as a wee child. Are Pens fans loyal? Sure as shit. Hell, I ain't lived there since '87 and I'm still a fan and always WILL be. My understanding about things in Pittsburgh now-- I haven't lived there in 20 years-- is that it really IS all about money. They've lost half their population since the early 1960s, and the bleeding out of cash right and left, as major Pittsburgh entities like Alcoa and Mellon Bank fuck off to other cities. A city in financial crisis has to look long and hard at the idea of building a new arena (which Pittsburgh needs), versus the sheer hit on the city budget. Bottom line: Only gambling can save Pittsburgh now.

[dropkickpa]

8. Exactly

and the PITG plan stands to pay out more to us with less of the city budget getting hit. The traffic nightmares of a big Hill District casino would end up costing us a lot, because the impact wil go beyond the immediate proposed area bleeding into the residential street coming right off of the arena area and beyond. That place is a nightmare during any event NOW, imagine a draw like a casino adding to it, then throw a pens game on top of that. There is very limited space for traffic remediation in that area, between the rats nest of highways, major arteries, on and off ramps, and the fact there's a huge cliff to the north side of the arena that ain't going nowhere.

see the rats nest!
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=pittsburgh&layer=&ie=UTF8&z=16&ll=40.442375,-79.990661&spn=0.007447,0.021501&t=k&om=1

[devilgrrl]

5. If the Pens move anywhere it should be Winnepeg...

they can support a team better than KC or Vegas (los vegas....:spray:)