It could happen if a Massachusetts developer gets his wish and acquires the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, according to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Lawrence Gottesdiener told the newspaper that he owns a great deal of property in Hartford, Conn., so moving the team there makes sense for him. He also could keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh.
"I see a really exciting future for that team," said Gottesdiener, who is trying to get Pennsylvania officials to build a new arena. "If it can't be worked out in Pittsburgh ... we have a really huge real estate portfolio in Hartford."
Penguins
A few months ago, Gottesdiener told Connecticut officials he planned to bring an NHL team to the city if they would help him build a new 16,000-seat arena in Hartford.
Gottesdiener's company, Northland Investment Corp., of Newton, Mass., owns about $500 million US worth of real estate in Hartford.
The Penguins refused to comment on Gottesdiener's apparent interest in the team.
"As a policy, we're not going to comment and we're not going to confirm or deny any of these inquiries," said Penguins spokesman Tom McMillan.
Whalers owner Peter Karmanos moved the team to Carolina after the 1996-97 season due to declining attendance and the team's inability to negotiate a satisfactory construction and lease package for a new arena in Hartford.
For years, Penguins owner and retired NHLer Mario Lemieux has tried to secure a new facility for the team, which plays out of 45-year-old Mellon Arena.
The Penguins' lease at the 16,958-seat rink expires in 2007 and unless plans for a new arena are finalized before then, the franchise could leave Pittsburgh, regardless of who owns it.
The lease allows the Pittsburgh to solicit offers for the franchise beginning in June. Kansas City already has declared its interest.
There are reportedly two proposals to build a new facility for the team in Pittsburgh and both are tied to gambling.
Three companies want to open a slot machine parlour in Pittsburgh, but only one will win a licence from the state to do so.
One of the companies, Isle of Capri Casinos, would operate the slots parlour and has pledged $290 million US toward construction of a new arena if it gets the licence.
City, county and state officials have countered with a backup plan that would require the Penguins to spend $8.5 million up front and make annual lease payments of $2.9 million. That proposal also calls for contributions from whichever gambling company is awarded the slots parlour licence.
"There are still a number of questions that have to be answered before we can determine if it's viable," Penguins consultant David Morehouse told the Post-Gazette.
Also, he said it's unclear if Governor Ed Rendell could fund part of the arena using slot machine proceeds or if another casino company would offer to contribute.
Last December, the Penguins were projecting a $7 million US loss this season. That was assuming the team drew near-capacity crowds and advanced to Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Pittsburgh has since been eliminated from post-season contention and sits last in the 30-team NHL with a record of 19-43-13 entering Friday's action.
with files from Associated Press
