ESPN.com's Al Morganti wrote that Penguins Owner Mario
Lemieux "could be the most important voice" for the NHL when
the CBA expires in 2004. Morganti: "In fact, Lemieux's
voice probably will get increasingly important well before
the deadline." Lemieux: "I remember as a player, we often
wondered about how much of the truth the owners were
telling. We thought they were hiding things. Well, at
least in Pittsburgh, I can tell you that's not the case. I
think our situation is pretty clear" (ESPN.com, 2/16).
...MetroStars GM Nick Sakiewicz, on ways to build the team's
fan base this season: "We need to treat the fans better.
There needs to be some consistency and some stability here,
which I think they'll respond to. ... Kids don't buy
tickets. We have to make sure we get their parents to bring
them to games, to make this a part of their lives. Then, in
10, 20 years, they'll bring their own kids to the games. It
will build from there" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 2/17)....In ID,
Derek Samson wrote that the WCHL "likely will remain" at
eight teams next season, with the "possibility" of expanding
by two teams in 2001-02 and another two in 2002-03. A
Diamond Sports arena in Vancouver, WA, "appears to be the
closest candidate" for expansion (IDAHO STATESMAN, 2/16).
