12/21/24
July 29, 2006
Penguins sold, but still don't know whether to pack bags: A reported $175M will change hands as the Pittsburgh Penguins go to Hartford businessman Harold Fingold, who says he'll keep the team in town as long as a new arena is built.
I guess now there is a snowballs chance that the team could go to Connecticut- which would be a welcomed addition to Hartfords rebuilding process. We supported the Whalers, untill they sucked..... anyways, seeing a NHL franchise in Connecticut would be great.
posted by redsoxrgay at 01:57 PM on July 29, 2006
I'm very torn right now. I'm glad that the Penguins have a new owner, but I'm unsure how I feel about the possibility of a move without a new arena. If I had my way, the Pens would stay put, and one of the Florida franchises move to Hartford...
posted by wingnut4life at 02:15 PM on July 29, 2006
Not that Hartford isn't a wonderful city, AFAIK, but wouldn't putting a fourth team (NYR, NYI, NJD) in such close proximity be a tad excessive?
posted by billsaysthis at 02:17 PM on July 29, 2006
Absolutely not. There is never enough hockey! ALL HOCKEY, ALL THE TIME! squatting in corner stabbing the floor...
posted by wingnut4life at 02:21 PM on July 29, 2006
Not that Hartford isn't a wonderful city, AFAIK, but wouldn't putting a fourth team (NYR, NYI, NJD) in such close proximity be a tad excessive? What about the Bruins? And the Leafs and Canadiens aren't too far either... And redsoxrgay: When the Whalers went to Carolina they had some talent... And Giguere. Check this Roster Not too mention they won the Cup last year... Reminds me of the Avs move from Quebec... Had Forsberg, Sakic, Foote, Deadmarsh, Nolan... Add Roy and the rest is hostory...
posted by myshtigo at 03:22 PM on July 29, 2006
The Hamilton Penguins? Other than the fact the Sabres would die, what a great idea. Of course there would be a small(HA) territory infringement fee to the leafs and sabres, but I'm thinking the Golden Horseshoe could support a third team. Or, the Winnipengiuns!!! Brand new, spanking shiny arena just waiting for a new NHL tenant.
posted by tommybiden at 03:27 PM on July 29, 2006
Kansas City, MO has a new arena ready in 2007 for the Penguins. Think of the regional games with chicago, colorado, dallas and of course st louis, and detroit, It would be awewome. I know you'd miss the penguins flyers games. but they are getting sort of old anyway.
posted by harrychaos at 03:52 PM on July 29, 2006
If the penguins move to Kansas City, somebody has to move to the East Coast to even it out. Would more than likely be between Nashville, Columbus, and Detroit. I say let it be Detroit so they could Dominate the East Coast.
posted by 68nova at 08:07 PM on July 29, 2006
eh hem ... can anyone say Winnipeg?
posted by Spitztengle at 09:20 PM on July 29, 2006
I did.
posted by tommybiden at 09:21 PM on July 29, 2006
I go along with wingnut. While I'm glad to see they have new owners, I hope they stay where they are. I can't imagine my beloved RedWings moving out of Detroit, even if they were to move here to L.A. where I live now. I hope they stay if for no other reason then I like to see stability in sports franchises. It's just not fair to long time fans to have the team they've been cheering for for years pack up and move.
posted by commander cody at 01:05 AM on July 30, 2006
The Red Wings aren't moving anywhere. Ever. And no NHL team is going to Winnipeg any time soon. Sorry. If I was a betting man, and judging from my success in the assorted SpoFi pools it's a good thing I'm not, I'd say the Pens will stay in Pittsburgh for a while longer at least. The arena will find a way to get built, and the team will slowly turn a few corners, financially, politically and PR-wise, until it's worth everyone's trouble to make the extra effort to get the franchise on some stronger ground. Which means they'll wind up in Anchorage or someplace by next season.
posted by chicobangs at 01:49 AM on July 30, 2006
Cody, I think wingnut meant a team would move back to the eastern conference, not actually, physically move. If Detroit moves, thats a sure sign of the apocolypse.
posted by tommybiden at 09:54 AM on July 30, 2006
The local politicians sold the team (and the city down the river). They had a group that included Dan Marino and Mark Cuban interested, but they wouldn't play ball. This new owner, even though he is from up north is making noise about the team maybe moving to Kansas City. The new arena is also a day to day soap opera.
posted by FriarDuck at 10:26 AM on July 30, 2006
I didn't literally mean Detroit would move. What I meant was if the penguins move to Kansas City, they would be in the Western Conference, so they would have to restructure the Eastern Conference to still be even. Nashville, Columbus and Detroit are close to the eastern Conference now. I agree the Redwings wouldn't leave Detroit, just meant a restructuring of the Conference move. I am a huge Wings fan from Michigan, I would die if Ilitch ever thought about moving them.
posted by 68nova at 10:35 AM on July 30, 2006
Oh no no no, I didn't mean I thought the RedWings would move. I was just using that as an example of how I would feel if I were a Pens fan and they moved. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
posted by commander cody at 12:02 PM on July 30, 2006
Argh - Pens do need a new arena. I went to Mellon this year and there was a fucking fire on the concourse because of some shitty equipment. Then the power went out. Twice. But no way in hell should the city fork over a dime for it.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:36 AM on July 31, 2006
Portland. We already have the arena. Now's the chance to stock it with a franchise that can win a game here or there.
posted by diastematic at 11:06 AM on July 31, 2006
But no way in hell should the city fork over a dime for it. How about the state of Pennsylvania? the Rendell administration has committed to have the state cover $26.5 million in additional real estate acquisition and site preparation costs for the new Uptown arena
posted by MrFrisby at 05:41 PM on July 31, 2006
I hope the new arena is built because I love the penguins even thogh they arent that good but i still injoy watching them and going to there games