Pens' new igloo

Ground broke awhile back for the Penguins new home arena.
Arena groundbreaking is great day for hockey

Although work on the new arena has been under way for some time at this site, government and Penguins officials ceremonially broke ground yesterday on the long-awaited, much-debated facility. Everyone knew it was going to happen, but actually seeing shovels in the ground brought home the full impact of what this means.

Here's a link for more information and photos about the arena, which will seat a little more than 18,000 people.

The photo below shows where the new arena is in relation to Mellon Arena.


Concept drawing of the new arena.


Looks nice ... but generic. I'm not totally sold on new arenas.
Most, if not all, in my opinion are sterile, antiseptic, and separate fans based on class.
Also, most have at least two bowls, if not more, which limits good sight lines.

Hackel: Therrien pushing Penguins away

Stu Hackel, writing with the New York Times, agrees with me about Michel Therrien and why so many Penguins left Pittsburgh. Though admittedly Hackel points to some different reasons, more than just the player - coach relationship.

And there’s one more factor in Hossa’s decision that no one talks about: That would be Penguins coach Michel Therrien. He was badly overmatched against Mike Babcock in the final and even though, like many of his inexperienced players, he probably learned a lot by going four rounds this spring, the whispers persist that a number of Pens who have fled were not members of his fan club. Nor are some who remain.

Therrien is not the emotional train wreck he was when he coached Montreal, but how far he’s come since then and how adroit he is at bench management remains debatable. Scratching Roberts at the outset of the final reveals some questionable judgment at work.

Perhaps it’s unrelated, perhaps not, but that’s why we’re not entirely surprised to read that talks on a contract extension for Therrien have been put on hold.

Penguins fly the coop

OK so Penguins don't fly, but they are speedily marching away from Pittsburgh.
Who left: Gary Roberts, Ty Conklin, Ryan Malone, and probably most surprisingly especially considering where he landed, Marian Hossa.
Why did they leave?
Is it a mere coincidence or something more? I think it's the coach, Michel Therrien. His Final series antics - working the referees by complaining how the Red Wings cheated - annoyed his players. A national writer mentioned this in an article. That even Sidney Crosby had a tough time swallowing the company line.
Why those players left might be coincidence and a money grab by the players.
Still, I can't help but think that something might be rotten in the city of Pittsburgh, or at least with the Penguins organization.