Why Can't Rendell Back This Plan?..

As resident of the sunny south I look upon the situation with the Penguins' new arena in Pittsburgh with a very confused mind.

As everyone already knows and the PPG recently reported, Mario and the Pens have signed into an agreement with Isle of Capri Casinos to fully fund a new arena in Pittsburgh... provided the 'Isle" receives the one and only slots license for the city. At first blush, the plan sounds ideal.

...No tax payer dollars necessary...

...The city/state have already pushed through a slots license for the city, so no debate on whether bringing gambling to the 'Burgh makes sense or not...

...Pens stay where they belong...

...End of story...

But alas, I've been fooled before! Perhaps there is someone more worthy of said license than the 'Isle of Capri'. Someone with a tie to the city or who plans on bringing something even more valuable to the city than a desperately needed new arena.

Anyone?... (chirp, chirp)

No, in fact the two other nominees for said license are a Detroit businessman and casino giant Harrah's. Neither of which, to the best of my knowledge, plan to build a shelter for the Northside's homeless with the any part of the millions they will certainly make from the license.

So what gives Rendell and Mayor O'Connor? Why can't you throw your considerable weight behind Mario and the 'Isle of Capri'? Why are you now insisting on a plan 'B' for the new arena that would involve tax payer dollars when just a few short month's ago you insisted tax-funding was not an option? This whole thing stinks to high heaven to me.

Maybe Rendell whacked his un-helmeted head of the Turnpike blacktop and has forgotten his previous statement on the arena funding?

Or maybe he's got one of those high-roller cards from Harrah's and figures he could really rack up the free steak dinners if they opened a casino in the 'Burgh?

Or maybe... just maybe... this is another group of democrats trying to find a way to raise taxes and line their own pockets with kick-backs from the highest bidder. Citizens be damned.

I know I'm just a "former" resident living in the south but I say "Vote Swann '06"!

Big Ben Mojo - Pens break out w/ 8-1 win over Caps

Mario Retiring

PPG is reporting that Mario is set to announce his retirement....Developing.

Update: FSN WBGG-AM 970 will be covering the press conference at 2PM. Live streaming sometimes available here

Update:

A very sad news conference. Mario revealed that his heart problems had not really improved and the medication left him fatigued and that he would probably have surgery to correct. Mario will always be one of my sports heroes and it is truly unfortunate that he wasn't able to go out on his own terms.

Merci Mario, for all those great years!

TSN.ca has a nice Mario retrospect.

Buy Low ...Sell High

In the PPG this morning, it is reported that Lemieux has put the Penguins up for sale .

From a business standpoint this is a smart move. When the Lemieux Group bought the franchise it was probably at it's lowest in terms of value. Now that they are out of bankruptcy, operating in the environment of an owner friendly CBA and stocked with young talent, they are probably at the hightest value that they've ever been.

This also takes Mario out of the equation if they don't get a slots license and have to move. He won't be the one moving the team it will be the new owners. I also thinks it puts pressure on the politicians to get an arena deal in place. You know in the backs of their minds they always thought Mario will never move the team out of Pittsburgh because of his stature in the community. Now with Mario out of the equation the threat of a new owner coming in who is not tied to Pittsburgh and moving them is more realistic.

An my guess is that, after his heart scare, Mario has probably seen his own mortality and reprioritizing his life to some extent. Dealing with state and city politicians can't be good for anyone's heart.

Ziggy retires!!!!

ESPN.com reports

"There is no point in suffering any longer."

The 33-year-old Palffy was injured while playing for the Los Angeles Kings at Anaheim in January 2004. He had reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder twice, but the problems persisted.



I'm frankly shocked. More later.

Commentary: Could this season destroy Crosby's potential?

When the Penguins got Crosby in the draft lottery, he wasn't supposed to carry the team. They planned to surround him with veterans that could both tutor and compliment his style of play. He would be a contributor in an offensive juggernaut of young shooters and established NHL scorers. He was a lock for rookie of the year, piling up goals and assist and the Penguins seemed poised for a playoff run. But the best laid plans of mice and me often go awry.

Injuries and dubious personnell and coaching decisions sunk the team. Instead of being a role player on a skilled veteran team that wins more than loses, Crosby finds himself on a team where he is the only scoring option and the whole team is basically leaning on him. Where a player friendly coach has already been axed and disciplararian coach brought in without improved results. As the losses mount so does his obvious frustration manifesting itself in on ice meltdowns and penalty minutes.

As the weeks go by with the playoffs out of the question, stuck on 11 wins, and his chief rival, Alex Ovechkin pulling away. With no Mario to play Batman to his Robin. With the expectations that the team and the league had invested in his success collapsed in a heap on the ice, one wonders if he'll ever be able to live up to his potential after such a monumental bust of a start.

Instead of getting better game after game, Crosby seems to be regressing while Ovechkin seems to improve. Then again the Caps had zero expectations coming into the season and AO was an afterthought to the Sid the Kid hype.

Had he gone to an expansion team that wasn't expected to win, his bursts of offensive brilliance and gritty play would have been a bonus, a promise of things to come in future seasons.

One can only hope that Mario, who endured his share of losing before the Penguins got good, is helping with the mental coaching of his would be protege. Because the grind of game after game of disappointment coupled with not seeing any of his teammates step into leadership roles would be enough to make any 18 year old doubt his talent and lose his confidence.

When the 2006 Penguins are a memory, will #87 remember all the talent and potential he came into the league with and be able to realize his potential? Because from the outside looking in, it appears that the Penguins are botching the development of the future of the franchise.

Redefining Lowly

In the Post Gazette today the headline reads: "Lowly Hawks roll up 4-1 Win". Earlier in the week there were articles about the Pens losing to the "lowly" Bluejackets, 6-1. And last month before the Edzo firing there was talk of losing to the "lowly" St Louis Blues.

Isn't it time to admit, coming off their 5th consectutive loss, that Pittsburgh is the official "lowly" team in the NHL this year.

Maybe they are confused and they think that they're only supposed to play until they get one goal and then, having earned their paychecks for the night it's time to hit the Molson keg.

Sabourin adds to the Cavalcade of Suck

Even Thibault would have struggled to give up a goal in less than 11 seconds.

Got nothing else to add other than Columbus 6, Pens 1.

Some Pens News Today

There were a couple of interesting items about the Pens today:

Thibault has been put on IR, Caron and Sabourin have been recalled. Sabourin will play tonight in Columbus. Details

18 state politicians endorsed the Penguins slots proposal. Details

And lastly, in case you haven't seen it, Michel Thierrien ripped the teams effort after their game w/ the Oilers last night. Here

Kovalchuk has a good weekend at the expense of the Pens

Ilya Kovalchuk had his way with the Penguins over the weekend. Scoring 5 goals and genearlly getting under the skin of Sidney Crosby.

Four important points were lost in the back to back games with the Thrashers.

Friday's game they fell short of overcoming Thibaults 3 goals allowed in the first 10 minute debacle. Saturday a bogus interference call on Whitney gave Atl a bogus powerplay where they scored the go ahead talley.

Pens Shopping Malone

Sportsnet in Canada reports that the Pens are shopping Ryan Malone. His play has been off all season and he was a scratch 3 of the last 5 games, so I don't think he's Mike T's favorite.

Will anyone take a flyer on him? He was one of their best players in 2003-2004.

New Year....Same Thibault..Pens muster a point, but lose in OT

Why Thibault was playing in this game is anyone's guess. Could MAF have been tired after having only faced 17 shots on New Years Eve?

The first goal, Thibault was screened. But the second goal, Kilgore was standing right in front of him and just shot it past him. And the GWG in OT bounced off McCabe chest and into an empty net as Thibault was occupied by the guy who was passing the puck.

The Penguins more than anything need to build momentum and they don't have time to muck around with Thibault.

Every point is precious at this point. Now they have to go into Montreal on no rest with no momentum and shaken confidence.

Nice game by Ziggy and Ouellet.