Penguins owner and Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux has made it quite clear that the team could be sold and moved if a new arena is not built in Pittsburgh. Among the cities known to be seeking an NHL franchise are Houston, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Hartford, Connecticut, and Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Penguins current lease at the Mellon Arena expires in 2007 and the team would likely want assurances in the near future before seeking buyers.


The Penguins are attaching their hopes to the legalization of slots in Pennsylvania, which could happen as soon as this month based on recent movement in Harrisburg. If the law does not go through, the chances of a new arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins are slim to none.