BALSILLIE DROPS OUT....UN-F'ING BELIEVABLE....

[bill from turtle creek]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06349/746509-100.stm


I simply don't believe this. What the hell is going on???

[King Sid the Great 87]

[Tico Rick]

Unbelievable is the word. I'm glad to see the NHL is sticking up for Pittsburgh, but where do we go from here?

[Judy]

WTF?

So much for Christmas cheer!

[guiner]

Wow, crazy news. At least it seams at first blush that the league is committed to keeping hockey in Pittsburgh. Which is probably a good thing for us but not so good for the current ownership group.

g

[King Sid the Great 87]

Everyone say it with me:

WE WANT CUBAN! (clap clap, clap clap clap)

[Goalie]

Don't be shocked, the league wants the team here at all costs because they know they can't stand to lose a solid hockey market. Someone without Pittsburgh ties is not going to agree to that so there is going to be a fundamental difference in opinion which always stands to be a deal breaker.

[NIN]

I just got done posting a prayer to God, and now this. I am extremely freaked out right now, goose bumps.

[Goalie]

Everyone say it with me:

WE WANT CUBAN! (clap clap, clap clap clap)

This will be another good oppurtunity for Cuban to get his name in the news without much action.

[bill from turtle creek]

Everyone say it with me:

WE WANT CUBAN! (clap clap, clap clap clap)

You and I finally agree on something.

Where the hell is CP2???

[opie22002]

Do you think there is a chance that Ballsillie will reenter the bidding if the IOC gets the license next week?

[bill from turtle creek]

I think he was being told by the league that the team ain't moving, and he bailed.

[dogwithshftyeyes]

so, yeah i know its redundant, but seriously where is MARK CUBAN? I am pretty sure i heard he said something like "i missed the boat on buying the penguins" or something?

[relantel]

Yeesh. I guess Lemiuex and Burkle will be in place a little longer.

[dogwithshftyeyes]

in addition. i have a bad feeling that this means balsillie knows something about the IOC that we dont.

[CT Mechanic]

I do not want the NHL making demands like that (the team MUST stay in Pittsburgh under ANY circumstances) on any new owner.

The wholly screwed up city and state politics and politicians that surround the City of Pittsburgh are simply not capable of thoughtful, much less intelligent, action. Without the fire-under-their-pants that a new owner with options outside of Pittsburgh brings, the politicians simply will ignore the legitimate needs that the Penguin team owner has.

I know the NHL thinks they're helping the Penguins stay in Pittsburgh by making that demand on the new owner, but the reality is that the team will have a much healthier stay in Pittsburgh if they are free to leave at any time.

- CT M

[Hockeynut!]

I wonder if Lemieux and co would keep the team is IOC gets the slots license.

[bill from turtle creek]

Nevertheless, it seems likely that he wanted an option to move, and the answer is NO.

At the very least, they aren't moving to Kitchener/Waterloo/etc.

Let's all say a prayer to Cuban.

[Corban87]

OMG

[NIN]

I do not want the NHL making demands like that (the team MUST stay in Pittsburgh under ANY circumstances) on any new owner.

Then you are an idiot.

The wholly screwed up city and state politics and politicians that surround the City of Pittsburgh are simply not capable of thoughtful, much less intelligent, action. Without the fire-under-their-pants that a new owner with options outside of Pittsburgh brings, the politicians simply will ignore the legitimate needs that the Penguin team owner has.

For the past YEAR they have trumpeted a plan B that is as good or better then most around the entire league.

I know the NHL thinks they're helping the Penguins stay in Pittsburgh by making that demand on the new owner, but the reality is that the team will have a much healthier stay in Pittsburgh if they are free to leave at any time.

You are an idiot.

[K2]

[hoser66]

All I can say is wholly crap!

[Corban87]

WOW just WOW, I dont believe this...



So do you think the NHL saw Plan B and find it very viable?

[King Sid the Great 87]

It's nice to see Mario was willing to turn the reigns over to a guy with no intentions of keeping the team in Pittsburgh.

[pghteams]

Do you think there is a chance that Ballsillie will reenter the bidding if the IOC gets the license next week?

I think it is clear that he Balsillie thought the IOC would not get the slots license and then he could move the team. Once the NHL stepped and told him no under any circumstance he withdrew and ran back to Canada.

So what does this mean. For one IOC is not getting the license and two Cuban or whoever gets the team will have to swallow Plan B no matter what.

WAY TO GO NHL!