Pens staying put

Okay, one more quick sports story. Since we were in California, I didn't get word of this one until today when I began to catch up from the news.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have finally signed a stadium deal to remain in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future, and Penguins Owner Mario Lemieux (above, with an artist's rendition of the new arena) no longer plans to sell the team.

I had a smile on my face when I read this - it's good for the NHL, it's good for Pennsylvania and it's good for the city of Pittsburgh.

I'm not all that crazy about my state, or any state, giving loads of concessions to owners looking to get a new deal, but I also usually reserve my opinion on that on a case-by-case basis. For starters, Pennsylvania signed sweetheart deals to get the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies new stadiums five or six years ago, so why shouldn't Pittsburgh get the same? A precedent was established in those cases.

Plus, the threat to move the team was real, and it would have happened. The Pens play in the oldest arena in the league, Mellon Arena. It's one of the biggest dumps in all of professional sports. I know from experience; I've seen a game there. (A few years ago, when the Oilers came to town to play the Pens - the Oilers won, so it was worth the trip. Although I only have a faint memory of what it's like for my hockey team to win a game.)

Mellon Arena is not fit to field an AHL team, much less an NHL one. The arena's state has cost the Pens money, making it hard for the team to compete against other teams come free agent signing time.

Anyway, the new deal with keep the Pens right where they deserve to play - in Pittsburgh - a great sports town - one of the best in America.

The Pens have one bright future, too - with a new arena on the way (opening in '09); a charismatic, well-loved owner; and budding superstar Sidney Crosby (and a great cast developing around him); Pittsburgh will be planning another Stanley Cup parade before too long.

The new arena will be built just down the street from their current home at "the igloo." Above is a view of what will be torn down to make way for the new arena. Mellon Arena is in the background.

Lemieux went on the ice to personally tell fans that an agreement had been reached before a Pens home game this past Tuesday.

Pens fans had been voicing their displeasure all season, since this was due to be the Pens' last in Pittsburgh is a new arena deal didn't get signed. It was rumored that the team was considering a move to Pittsburgh; KC has a new arena that could have served as a home for a transplanted NHL franchise. But, the league has been there before - the New Jersey Devils are the product of the original Kansas City Scouts; the team moved to Colorado and finally to Jersey in 1982.

The new arena will hold about 18,000, which is only about 900 more than Mellon Arena. I know that cost is a major concern with the cash-strapped Pens as well as getting money from the state, but 18,000 seems a bit light if the Pens want to turn their new playpen into an ATM machine, like all other franchises do when getting a new arena.

Regrettably, Mellon Arena will be wrecked when the new arena is completed (Insert sarcasm and smirk here) and will be turned into a parking lot until the site is developed. No word on whether that land will be more productive to the Pens as a parking lot or an arena.

Anyway, it was great to see the Pens finally get their new barn.

Photos from AP