U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Bernard Markovitz will hear
arguments today during an emergency hearing regarding the
NHL's request that the Penguins' bankruptcy case "be put on
a fast track," according to Mike Bucsko of the PITTSBURGH
POST-GAZETTE. The league wants the team's finances to be
"stabilized under new ownership" by May 31 so it can begin
its scheduling process (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 5/11).
I WANT STANLEY: The Penguins have sold about 14,000
tickets in the last five days for Games Three, Four and Six
of their Eastern Conference semifinals series against the
Maple Leafs. Penguins VP/Communications Tom McMillan: "If
anyone was on the fence around here, this has reminded them
how much fun it can be to have a team" (USA TODAY, 5/11).
Penguins co-Owner Howard Baldwin, on the team's playoff run:
"The team has performed beautifully. Financially, that has
made a huge difference. If everyone does what they're meant
to do, this will work out" (L.A. TIMES, 5/11).
REAX: In Toronto, Damien Cox writes that the NHL is
again "having a terrible time surviving in a market" that
has "embraced" the game. Cox: "What does success in Anaheim
or Raleigh or Atlanta mean if towns that intuitively connect
hockey to ice and snow can't support the game?" (TORONTO
STAR, 5/11). In Montreal, Jack Todd likens the Penguins'
situation to that of the Expos and calls it "complicated and
more than a little depressing" (GAZETTE, 5/11).
K.C. OUT: Paul McGannon, head of NHL 21, a subcommittee
of the Greater K.C. Sports Commission that is pursuing an
NHL team for the city, said he has "kept his eye" on the
Penguins' case. McGannon: "We've been told by the league
office not to make contact with Pittsburgh. ... [But] it's a
situation we're going to keep watch on" (K.C. STAR, 5/11).
