Kansas City Penguins

[Showtime]

Lemuix > everyone. If he got to play a full, uninterrupted career he would've broken practically every record.

I agree with you 100%.

 

[Tangled Web]

I was pretty bummed when my Whalers moved.

 

[Shifty]

So what do my fellow Hypesters think of the possibility of the Pittsburgh Penguins being moved to Kansas City?

As a born and raised Pittsburgh fan it would break my heart to see my beloved Pens go. Ravenstahl needs to make a decent offer that can compete with K.C.'s (Which is admittedly pretty good) to keep them in town. In fact, the Pens need to just be sold to Mark Cuban...the Pirates too while we're at it.

Lemuix > everyone. If he got to play a full, uninterrupted career he would've broken practically every record.

The Penguins are the team of the greatest player in the history of the NHL...Mario Lemuix. There is just so much history there, it is shocking the way they are just so willing to up and move

Forgot the 'e': Mario Lemieux.

Defensemen Bobby Orr makes a greater case if he played a full career.

I was pretty bummed when my Whalers moved.

The team was bankrupt before Lemieux helped buy the team, and for over the past seven years they've tried to build a new arena. They can't turn a profit or break even with the old arena they have now. A potential owner from Canada withdrew his offer since the NHL would not allow him to move the franchise (most likely to southern Ontario, Canada - hotbed for hockey) since the new owner was counting on a new arena but if that fell through he might move the team. Mario is owed about $40 million by the organization, and would like his money so he can either move the team or pressure the levels of government into building him one.

Sidney Crosby, Evegni Malkin and Jordan Staal are three players 20 and under who will win a Stanley Cup and break plenty of records. Just depends which teams they will play for.

NHL discussion is here.

 

[Badger]

Talks break down again in Pittsburg.

They're going to screw around and lose their team

Still torn on this; as a hockey fan it would be a shame for Pittsburg to lose their team, but as KC resident it would be nice to have their current roster. KC will get another team sooner or later, but not nearly as good as this on.

 

[Turtle-Man]

Wikipedia says Winnipeg is in the running for the bid. Is this true?

 

[Badger]

Wikipedia says Winnipeg is in the running for the bid. Is this true?

Maybe at one point, but KC pretty much got it if they leave Pittsburg.

 

[WorthyStevens]

Doesnt that crosby kid play for them?

Yessir.

Wasn't making a joke.

He's not in the Top 10

Hmph. I'm surprised Stevens made the list. Not to say anything against him though, he's my favorite hockey player of all time. Damn his retirement!

 

[Matt]

Talks break down again in Pittsburg.

They're going to screw around and lose their team

Still torn on this; as a hockey fan it would be a shame for Pittsburg to lose their team, but as KC resident it would be nice to have their current roster. KC will get another team sooner or later, but not nearly as good as this on.

Kansas City is offering them the chance of a life time and PA can't even be bothered to meet them half way. That is what sucks about this

 

[Turtle-Man]

Darn, the "Kansas City Penguins"? That doesn't sound... hockey-like at all.

 

[Dodger]

I remember vegas being in the bid. Did vegas drop out?

 

[Shifty]

Wikipedia says Winnipeg is in the running for the bid. Is this true?

Kinda. The AHL Manitoba Moose owner talked to the Penguins when they were up for sale earlier but because the Penguins have the superstars the last bid by the Blackberry Guy was quite an inflated price. So they would be outbid, unless they brought in other owners such as the Aspers who are a local family who own the Can West Global media empire.

Out of all the potential homes for the Penguins, Winnipeg or a Southern Ontario team (which would need a new building which is another $150 milion +) would have the most supportive, knowledgeable and passionate fans compared to KC or Las Vegas or Houston.

This is a great site that has been around for awhile now. People even in KC should check it out since it shows how certain teams have struggled and what it would take to have an NHL team.

http://www.jetsowner.com/

January 19, 2007
Whether Pens Stay Or Go, 'Peg Still Sitting Pretty

The most recent developments out of Pittsburgh indicate strong last ditch efforts to keep the team there. Scare tactics like visiting Kansas City's new Sprint Center only fuel the bargaining fire between Mario Lemieux and city officials in Pittsburgh. It's looking more and more like Penguins really can't fly and therefore won't be headed outside of Pittsburgh. That's not to say they may still not move because, as we well know, anything can fall through. Very quickly.

Some feel the Pens staying put hurts Winnipeg's chances because Kansas City will still remain a front runner for the next team that becomes available. That point has validity but consider this; there is a good possibility that Kansas City will land an NBA team before that time comes, especially since they have so successfully advertised a virtually free building (and practice facility) to any frachise that wants to call it home. This has raised the eyebrows of more than one team from both the hockey and basketball realms. If successful in landing an NBA team for the Sprint Center, expect Kansas City to quickly fall out of love with NHL hockey.


Introduction

Without knowing for sure, I feel the NHL is skeptical about Kansas City as a market for reasons discussed many times on this website. Most notably the fact that after the Chiefs, Royals and a handful of NCAA sports, there isn't much of a supply of people left for hockey at any level to draw from. Let alone 18,000 of them 42 nights a year. Even from within they are skeptical. This from David Martin of The Pitch in Kansas City,"On a per-capita basis, Kansas City is actually overserved by professional sports, which is a significant reason that no NBA or NHL team owner has agreed to move a team to the Sprint Center".

In fact, this same problem exists in a dozen current "NHL markets". Heck, television ratings alone can spell that out, a 1.1 rating for last week's season debut on NBC. A desperate landlord wishing to lure a tenant for his building in a city with no proven track record for hockey hardly seems like the right direction for a league already up to their ears in troubles with their non-traditional markets.

Oklahoma City bowed out suspiciously at the last minute, leaving the speculation that they realized that they were being used as a bargaining chip for leverage with the city of Pittsburgh.

Despite rumours regarding cities like Seattle, Portland and Hartford, none of these cities have made any real effort to bring the NHL to their neighbourhood.

Plus, the Pens price tag remains at an inflated level.

Add all of this up and it becomes clear to me that the Pens will likely stay in Pittsburgh and that Winnipeg is no further behind with it's quest, albeit a quiet quest, to regain membership in the National Hockey League.

Meanwhile, be sure to keep tabs on those flagged teams down south who are now officially and openly in dire straits. Most notably Nashville and Florida. They can't draw bees to honey and when they do, many of the bees get the honey for free.

Represents number of tickets distributed, not people attending.
Actual attendance is lower.
Nashville is first overall in the league and they still can't sell out!! Flames at Nashville, Ducks at Nashville - they would be sold out across Canada. Winnipeg should make a play for Nashville, move Minneasota to the Central division and Winnipeg with the other Western Canadian teams.

 

[Shifty]

I remember vegas being in the bid. Did vegas drop out?

KC is the front runner. Las Vegas, Houston, Portland, Quebec City and Winnipeg have all expressed an interest in getting an existing or expansion team. Some say that the NHL wouldn't want to be associated with Las Vegas but look at the NFL. How much gambling is done on football? That's why people watch the games. Las Vegas is growing and if its the only professional sports team I'm sure it would do well and perhaps boost hockey bets and television ratings. But how much? The Penguins would have a lot of hype and I'm sure would get more media attention. Hockey fans who go to Vegas would have some place to go.

The NHL will probably expand in the future, they might award franchises but they probably wouldn't play until after 2010. 32 would be the key number plus it would give the league some expansion fee money to the teams etc. But right now I think the NHL needs to fix the problem areas it has right now before any expansion in America takes place. Because of the expansion fee they would probably be open to a Canadian team in Winnipeg or Southern Ontario.

If Las Vegas doesn't have a sports team by the time the NHL expands I think they have a very good chance, Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckhiemer has tried to buy the Penguins and move them to Las Vegas, 'cause people with money will be there and the potential benefits from playing there. Does Las Vegas have a new arena?

 

[WompuM]

2 things.
1) all i ever think about when i hear about the penguins is the movie sudden death starring jean claud van damn

2) if the penguins attendence is as low as the blues, they are going to have problems. the blues games are so empty, last week they had free concessions night.

 

[BizarroAids]

I live in Kansas City, and back when we had the IHL nobody ever really went to see the Blades play. So having the Penguins move here, is just going to be a waste of money. Trust me, this is a pure football, baseball town.
Why they think we need the team, is beyond me. I know a lot of people around here that think it's just a dumb idea.

And yes, the name sounds pretty ******ed too.

 

[Shifty]

2 things.
1) all i ever think about when i hear about the penguins is the movie sudden death starring jean claud van damn

2) if the penguins attendence is as low as the blues, they are going to have problems. the blues games are so empty, last week they had free concessions night.

No the Penguins attendence is good, I think they are hovering around 16th overall in the league and just over 90%. But still - Crosby & Malkin there should sellouts and scalpers making some good profit. Very good chance that the Penguins will play their last regular season game in April so maybe more people are showing up. The problem with the Penguins is the relic of a building they are playing in doesn't make money, they've needed a new building for over 10-15 years now. Back in 2000 there was a the whole talk of them moving to Portland.

What is up with the Blues? Andy Murray has saved the team, they can still make the playoffs. Can't believe they have one bad season for the first time last year in what almost 30 years? and everyone abandons them. Some hockey town. I could see that after 5 years of being at the bottom like Chicago.

 

[Badger]

I live in Kansas City, and back when we had the IHL nobody ever really went to see the Blades play. So having the Penguins move here, is just going to be a waste of money. Trust me, this is a pure football, baseball town.
Why they think we need the team, is beyond me. I know a lot of people around here that think it's just a dumb idea.

And yes, the name sounds pretty ******ed too.

Speak for yourself, I am from KC as well, and the Blades were around for over 10 years and only left because the league folded. I used to go to games all the time and they were one the best attended teams in the league. And KC is a pure blue collar sports town, Pro Hockey will do well. And you should know that they will be the KC Scouts, for shame.

 

[BatMatt]

KC is the front runner. Las Vegas, Houston, Portland, Quebec City and Winnipeg have all expressed an interest in getting an existing or expansion team. Some say that the NHL wouldn't want to be associated with Las Vegas but look at the NFL. How much gambling is done on football? That's why people watch the games. Las Vegas is growing and if its the only professional sports team I'm sure it would do well and perhaps boost hockey bets and television ratings. But how much? The Penguins would have a lot of hype and I'm sure would get more media attention. Hockey fans who go to Vegas would have some place to go.

The NHL will probably expand in the future, they might award franchises but they probably wouldn't play until after 2010. 32 would be the key number plus it would give the league some expansion fee money to the teams etc. But right now I think the NHL needs to fix the problem areas it has right now before any expansion in America takes place. Because of the expansion fee they would probably be open to a Canadian team in Winnipeg or Southern Ontario.

If Las Vegas doesn't have a sports team by the time the NHL expands I think they have a very good chance, Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckhiemer has tried to buy the Penguins and move them to Las Vegas, 'cause people with money will be there and the potential benefits from playing there. Does Las Vegas have a new arena?

I do not believe so, although it's been three years since my last visit

 

[Dodger]

KC is the front runner. Las Vegas, Houston, Portland, Quebec City and Winnipeg have all expressed an interest in getting an existing or expansion team. Some say that the NHL wouldn't want to be associated with Las Vegas but look at the NFL. How much gambling is done on football? That's why people watch the games. Las Vegas is growing and if its the only professional sports team I'm sure it would do well and perhaps boost hockey bets and television ratings. But how much? The Penguins would have a lot of hype and I'm sure would get more media attention. Hockey fans who go to Vegas would have some place to go.

The NHL will probably expand in the future, they might award franchises but they probably wouldn't play until after 2010. 32 would be the key number plus it would give the league some expansion fee money to the teams etc. But right now I think the NHL needs to fix the problem areas it has right now before any expansion in America takes place. Because of the expansion fee they would probably be open to a Canadian team in Winnipeg or Southern Ontario.

If Las Vegas doesn't have a sports team by the time the NHL expands I think they have a very good chance, Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckhiemer has tried to buy the Penguins and move them to Las Vegas, 'cause people with money will be there and the potential benefits from playing there. Does Las Vegas have a new arena?

Why yes we do. The Orleans arena and our independent hockey team plays there. The Las Vegas Wranglers. Yes, the Orleans Arena is in a casino. But, honestly I don't think we would get the team. Even with Bruckheimers money. Our mayor, Oscar Goodman, said that any professional team moved here would have to be named the Las Vegas Oscars. So, yeah there goes that. Shame.

 

[Shifty]

Speak for yourself, I am from KC as well, and the Blades were around for over 10 years and only left because the league folded. I used to go to games all the time and they were one the best attended teams in the league. And KC is a pure blue collar sports town, Pro Hockey will do well. And you should know that they will be the KC Scouts, for shame.

It wasn't like the original team was like the Cleveland Browns, they'll probably go with something new.

Outside Scouts what animal or local symbol would you like?

Missouri _______ ?

 

[BatMatt]

Why yes we do. The Orleans arena and our independent hockey team plays there. The Las Vegas Wranglers. Yes, the Orleans Arena is in a casino. But, honestly I don't think we would get the team. Even with Bruckheimers money. Our mayor, Oscar Goodman, said that any professional team moved here would have to be named the Las Vegas Oscars. So, yeah there goes that. Shame.

Ahh totally forgot about that place, of course the Orleans was rather new when I last went it's not exactly on the strip. I really outta get back to Vegas

 

[Shifty]

Why yes we do. The Orleans arena and our independent hockey team plays there. The Las Vegas Wranglers. Yes, the Orleans Arena is in a casino. But, honestly I don't think we would get the team. Even with Bruckheimers money. Our mayor, Oscar Goodman, said that any professional team moved here would have to be named the Las Vegas Oscars. So, yeah there goes that. Shame.

He's serious? Just hope he's not mayor by then. Also the NHL board of govenors would probably have to approve the name change. They are all partners in the league and from a marketing standpoint the Oscars are horrible.

 

[Dodger]

He's serious? Just hope he's not mayor by then. Also the NHL board of govenors would probably have to approve the name change. They are all partners in the league and from a marketing standpoint the Oscars are horrible.

He's going to mayor for a while, but thats good to know about the partners

 

[Shifty]

He's going to mayor for a while, but thats good to know about the partners

The NHL may have the Ducks and maybe some other team names that don't jump out at you (it is an old league) but they would never do that. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim were given only because it was owned by Disney, it was in California and Bettman would take any benefits from being associated with the movie(s and cartoon). New ownership wanted to distance itself from the Disney franchise but still not anger the fans so they now have a respectable logo.

A lot of people if the NHL returned to Winnipeg want them called the Jets again. I would rather see the team called the Manitoba Moose, after the IHL/AHL team that has played here since the Jets left. The Jets were a great franchise in the 70s in the WHA, had some pretty good teams in the 80s, they drafted Selanne and had the first round playoff White Outs but they're the only WHA franchise that came into the NHL that hasn't won a Stanley Cup (Hartford/Carolina, Quebec/Colorado, Edmonton) and for the last 12 years (with the move to Hockeymad Phoenix) haven't been that great. The Moose actually make it to the playoffs and made it to the conference finals one year, had the AHL All-Star game, there are a lot of young fans who never saw the Jets play and only know of the Moose, people are familiar with the name, it represents the province not just a city, it has a great logo/colours and fans wouldn't have to buy new merchandise/jerseys. Go Moose Go!

 

[Badger]

It wasn't like the original team was like the Cleveland Browns, they'll probably go with something new.

Outside Scouts what animal or local symbol would you like?

Missouri _______ ?

They won't use Missouri, because that would exclude Kansas. So, I guess I'd go with KC Greyhounds, also a former pro hockey team in KC. I'm a sucker for history. Completely outside that maybe KC Corporals, there's a few military bases around this area.

 

[Shifty]

They won't use Missouri, because that would exclude Kansas. So, I guess I'd go with KC Greyhounds, also a former pro hockey team in KC. I'm a sucker for history. Completely outside that maybe KC Corporals, there's a few military bases around this area.

Nice avatar.

Yeah I was going to ask about old hockey teams. A Indian sitting on a horse, perhaps not the best thing for a hockey team.