1) FAUXRUMORS is being told by folks with information, that the sale of the Penguins to Jim 'Blackberry' Balsillie is the first step to bring the franchise north of the border. Balsillie, a successful Canadian business man, is headquartered in Hamilton Ontario, long a rumored NHL destination.
2) We're hearing despite all the 'nice talk' last evening with the Pittsburgh media, Balsillie's real intention is to either have a lucrative arena built in Pittsburgh, where he would control all the revenue streams(unlikely) or move the team to an undisclosed location, obstensively to Canada.
3) We're told to not believe what you're hearing from the NHL front office either. That the NHL would NOT mind seeing the Penguins move north if it meant that it would increase overall revenues (Which any NHL franchise in Canada would)
4) With the team on the cusp of contention, possessing some of the best, most exciting young talent in the league, where ever the Penguins might land would be an instant hit with the fans. Unlike some of the past expansion franchises in the sun belt where fans needed to be taught to love hockey, no such problem would exist north of the border.
5) Additionally with the exchange rate now more on par, any/all franchises in the Great White North are now on better financial footing now than they were a decade ago.
This has a very high probability one source told FAUXRUMORS last night. Its certainly far from a 100% certainty, but a lot closer than it was only 48 hours ago. By the new year we should know where the Pens will be moving, if anywhere.
We’ve moved!
15 years ago
4 comments:
Good news that the Pens have a new owner, with deep pockets....as for moving the team North, well Hamilton has been rumoured for years as potential a destination for an NHL team..the arena Copps Coliseum is built, sitting empty except for the occasional rock concert. I believe that Southern Ontario could easily support another NHL franchise...not too sure how keen the Leafs, Sabres, or even Red Wings would feel about losing some territorial fan support. I hope deep down that the Pens stay in Pittsburgh...if i had a second and third option it would be for the Peg (i miss my Jets), or for Quebec City (Nords vs. Habs, sigh those were the days). I think the Pens end up in Southern Ont....hey as long is it isn't K.C., or Olkahoma City, I'd be relatively content.
1) We've been to the Copps Coliseum a number of years ago. At that time(Late 80's) it was NHL ready, but with time its actually no longer what one would call a modern NHL facility
2) Many upgrades would be needed but that would be a feasible option
3) As for the Maple leafs and Sabres balking at another franchise invading their sphere of influence, we feel this part of Canada can easily support 2-3 NHL franchises without hurting each other.
4) If NYC can support 3, why couldn't southern Ontario support 2?
For sure southern ontario can support another franchise....thats not the question...i am not entirely sure but i believe i heard that blackberry boy has already thrown some money at the copps...time will tell i guess. personally i believe that if a new arena could get built in pittsburgh the pens would once again flourish in that market...super mario could never get it to happen, and well blackberry boy seems content to move them north..sooo, i guess pittsburgh is going to lose its penguins...sad really.
the problem being is the peg built a new arena, but it only has 15,000 or so seats..not sure the rational behind that..and well quebec city, might still have the coliseum..but it is in no better shape than the igloo in pittsburgh...i saw some talking heads lastnight late on tsn say that they think that kitchner/waterloo might be an even better spot for the pens....an arena is going to have to be upgraded (the copps, maybe the peg), or built...i am thinking it will all depend on the kind of deal blackberry boy gets in any given market.
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