Facts depend on interpretation to have meaning. Fact, the Pens traded Jagr for financial considerations taking a cash infusion. I think that trade tainted the perception of the Pens financially from then all, and Mario's arena comments only added fuel to the fire as a new arena would vastly help the team, or at least Mario thinks so, but that is posturing, if Mario did not push the idea with threats it would not get done, it means little more. But add to that fact about taking cash for Jagr the fact that they plowed it right back into the team and fielded a team with a respectable payroll, well into the top half of teams payrollwise, until a couple of years ago. Three years ago they took the Jagr money resigned all the other veterans and paid to have a team that went to the conference finals. This past year they blew up the team entirely, in fact started doing so the year before, and there are two ways to look at that. One, that they do not have a pot to spit in. Two, that already in the hall of fame GM Caraig Patrick was looking down the line to the expiration of the CBA and new landscape and doing well before hand what other GM's are now scrambling to do. Positioning their teams for a cap environment. Given that the Pens averaged well over 12,000 fans the past two years when they finished next to last and last, and have averaged well over 15,000 over the past decade (which translates to a higher average fan base than many canadian teams over that period), I tend to think that the latter is true. Hell, when we play the Caps have of the MCI center is filled with Pens fans most years. No, we have no huge market nor do we have a deep pockets owner, but nor do 3/4 of the teams in the NHL. We are just fine though and will be better, as will those other 3/4 of teams, once the new CBA kicks in. Actually better than fine, Patrick has positioned us through a couple of years of suffering to be lean and mean and will come out in this new environment better positioned than any but a handful with boatloads of young and great talent and loads of cap room to fill out the remainder of the roster. A lockout? We have the funds to weather it. And if the season is lost as good a chance as not of using the same order and lottery for a 50/50 to add Crosby to Malkin.
So cry us no rivers, we are fine here in the 'burg.