Bye Bye Pittsburgh

It's looking more and more like a sure thing.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are almost certain to leave Pittsburgh for good, the victim of on-going financial problems and a legacy of management instability. And the guy making the call to pull out of Pittsburgh? Only the greatest player ever to wear the black and yellow (black and gold is it? Whatever they're wearing these days). Yup, St. Mario, who swooped into buy the team a few years ago and who fans hoped would return the Pens to their former glory. Lemieux did his best. He even came out retirement to try to sell a few tickets. He drafted the hottest young player in a decade - possibly the best of this new era - and it still wasn't enough. The Penguins renaissance? Well, it ain't gonna happen. Or, at least, it ain't gonna happen in Pittsburgh.

The only real question that remains is where will the Penguins go? Not to Hamilton - the Leafs aren't ever going to let that happen. Not to anywhere in Canada, sadly. Not while Bettman's in charge. So where? The latest name to hit the papers: Las Vagas. 'Cause who doesn't want to watch hockey in the middle of the desert? Kansas City and Houston have also made overtures. Big hockey towns for sure.

Of course, it's possible that this really is just a whole lot of posturing to get a sweet new Pittsburgh arena and a better deal on taxes from the city and the state. I don't know though. All those Pittsburgh hockey fans may want to get used to cheering for the Flyers. (Shudder!) That's could be the worst fate of all.