The Pens aren't playing well but I DON'T agree with your moving them Jeff because they had a sell-out streak just end not too long ago.
Wrost team in the NHL selling out (even a ****** arena), so I think moving them is a huge negative to the city and to the NHL where they'd go to either a market the NHL doesn't seemt o favor (Canada, for whatever reason), or one where it's completely unproven...
THe Slots license and new arena thing isn't a few years away either, it's like now... They want to put the arena up as they tear the current one down, and do so quickly I guess, so they can really start bringing this gambling revenue in, but it's all to be decided very soon...
Lemieux himself won't be moving the team either, he'd sell it to someone who would if anything... Not sure if anyone knew that or not. He's said he's staying in Pittsburgh. Said he's unhappy when he goes home and can't even go out to eat without being harassed so he says he's considering himself now a Pittsburgher and won't be moving wherever the team ends up.
They've sold a LOT of tickets this year, it's surprising considering their play, so I have hopes they'll stay because politics won't get in the way and everyone seems to know they're good for the city. Pittsburgh is as good a hockey town as anywhere, we just haven't had **** to cheer for here for a long time, plus football will ALWAYS be king here irregardless of either of our sports and their successes. The Pens have their support though, they have a plan... It all will 100% hinge now on if the Pens group get the Slots license. There's no other factors involved at this point. If we don't, they're gone, if we do there's funding for a new arena lined up, there's an uptown revitilization project that hinges on it, and the Pens will be the key...
If we don't, Vegas they say is the top (and most likely the only) place to get them I guess, as the same people willing to take the license and open the Casino are the same people that would move the team to Vegas if the license wasn't granted to them.
ANd you guys all suck for wanting my team moved! Eat penis.