If the Penguins relocate, should Pittsburgh ever get another NHL team?

Question

I really don't think they deserve one for what they are doing.

Answer 1

They should if they have a new building to play in. It is an OK market when the team is doing well.

Answer 2

Like others have stated, they should be able to keep the one they have. This is a proud franchise that has brought up many great players. If they do lose the Penguins, why get another? The new franchise will have to prove itself to the fans. They will have to win the fans over, They certainly will struggle like any new franchise. Will the fans show up?

I don't think getting a new arena is the answer. It might help them out, but they still need the support of the fans. That is of course, assuming the current Pens team leaves town and it's a new franchise starting from scratch.

They need to do everything that they could to keep this team in Pittsburgh. Do you guys really think there will be a group of investors willing to put a franchise there after all this crap that is going on? The NHL will more likely not have any expansion teams for the next ten years. Kansas City, Winnipeg, Vegas all want teams. All those cities would be more attractive for one of the current franchises to be relocated there.

I'm a huge Pens fan. I've been since growing up. Having to cheer them from all the way here in CA has been tough. Nothing would make me more happy if they moved to Vegas. (3 hour Drive) If I had to chose where I want the Pens to be. I would go with Pittsburgh. Tradition and old school is big for me. If relocating is the last option, Vegas baby :)

Answer 3

Ya know, that really is a great question. I'm from Denver, and in the late 70s to early 80s we had the Colorado Rockies hockey team - which moved to New Jersey and became the Devils. When the Rockies were around, they were a terrible team, were marketed horribly, and didn't sell at that time. the word around the NHL was that Denver was not a hockey city. and look at Denver now!!! they hold the NHL record for the longest sell-out streak. personally i'd like to see the Penguins move just cuz i'd like to see them be able to keep their stars instead of having to farm them out like Calgary and Edmonton had to do for years (that was so hard to watch cuz their scouting/farm system was magnificent, only to lose them cuz they couldn't afford anybody). the voters turned down a new arena. Mellon Arena has been around for 45 years, so it's not like they want a new arena cuz they're trying to "keep up with the Joneses". they really do NEED a new arena. it's ancient and run down. but the fact that the public/voters said no does leave a bad taste in the mouths of possible owners and the league itself, and makes them very wary about relocating a team there and/or getting an expansion team. good luck. i've never really been a penguins fan before, but i am now cuz this team has some amazing young talent and they play an exciting brand of hockey. yes it's too bad they're probably gonna move cuz Pittsburgh will really be missing out on something special. it's too bad that the city and the players can't grow old together, ya know?

Answer 4

No way.

The Penguins have shown a willingness to compromise in the negotiations, yet the state, city, and county governments are unwilling to compromise at all. It's either their way or nothing (although they adopted a very different attitude when the Steelers asked for a new stadium).

No owner would be willing to place a team there under those conditions. And even if there was an owner that would accept such conditions, Pittsburgh is a city that does not deserve that chance.

Answer 5

Good question, If the Pens really leave they'll keeping Trying to build a new Arena, or Pittsburgh could be like Cincinnati with just a Big East College Team, Baseball and Football that's it.

You might have settle with a Minor league Hockey team for now.

Answer 6

I just dont get why the city wouldnt do everything possible to keep a pro sports team.. even more so when the team has boasted 1 of the best players in the history of the game,not to mention other hall of famers and has such a promising future ahead of it.
Cant even try to keep pittsburghers happy?
It's just ridiculous.

should they get another team IF pens relocate? NO. I think the fans would want "their" team anyways.. not some replacement with no history.Just like the Browns in the NFL.
so much history ruined for nothing,got another team in a matter of years.. just isnt the same.

Answer 7

Ok...has no one seen the developments from the meeting last night? There was a joint statement released saying that "significant progress" was made, that means both sides said progress was made, not just Rendell...half the people that responded answered like it is a fact that they are gone.

Phoenix nothing in your response made sense, you say you want to see them go but then you say it is to bad the are leaving??? And YES they really do need a new arena and it is not just to keep up with others...within three years Mellon Arena is going to need significant and expensive work done to it to keep it functional. Also by voters turning down a new arena I hope your not referring to the slots license...obviously if Pittsburgh had a say in that they would be a lock for a new arena.

Answer 8

They need to prove they can keep one. Doesn't look good for them right now. That said, lots of cities have lost teams and gotten one back later. You just need to be able to prove you can support it. For Pittsburgh, that is going to mean building a brand new arena. So long as they are not willing to do it, then they'll be NHL-free for a long time.

Answer 9

NO!!! I am a huge pens fan and from pittsburgh if we lose the players we have now we sure will not support any new players that are not as skilled and good as 87,71,11,29. The team gets the support thats not why leaving it is all politics that is not getting the new stadium.

Answer 10

Pennsylvania is one of the greatest states in the Union.It is old fashioned.It is a solid established hockey market.If they build a new arena they will have billionaires fighting each other for an NHL franchise, if they don't -nothing.there will be no team.

Answer 11

The fans shouldn't be punished for the State and Local Government. So yeah they should get another one, the day AFTER Rendell leaves office, in 4 years. Counting them down now.