If you think that, deep down, he wants to keep the team in Pittsburgh, I have ocean front property in Hamilton to sell you. He doesn't want to stay in Pittsburgh. He's coming in, saying the right things, but it's posturing. If a deal falls through, he'll get to come out and say "I wanted to keep the team in Pittsburgh, but I couldn't. So now we're moving." We've seen this song and dance in other sports before.
Copps is not ready to accommodate the NHL right now. Ironic, too. 20 years ago, it was the finest rink in the league. (Along with the Saddledome). It seemed like only a matter of time for Hamilton to get a team. 20 years ago, very few people would have believed that Hamilton wouldn't have an NHL team. Now, the one-time palace is outdated. But renovations could
For southern Ontario fans: what kind of rink do they have in Kitchener-Waterloo? How close is it to NHL ready? And would players be pining to play in Kitchener-Waterloo? (Not that they'd be thrilled to be in Hamilton, either).
One thing to note: about 10 years ago, the NHL went through the process for its final expansion. Hamilton was one of 11 communities in the running. They were dropped on the first ballot. I think the league is warmer to having a team in Hamilton or Winnipeg than it was 10 years ago. (Ten years ago, Bettman wouldn't have been upset to lose Edmonton, Calgary or Ottawa. Not anymore). The question is, do they actually view Hamilton as a viable option, and will Buffalo find a way to stop it? This is not St. Louis moving to Saskatoon, but it might not be far off.
I hope that a new arena deal is reached for Pittsburgh. It's a good hockey market. I'm disappointed any time a championship franchise is forced to leave. (A reason why I wanted to see Edmonton and NYI - two teams that gave us dynasties - survive). Pittsburgh has a rich hockey tradition dating back to the game's early days. Some of the game's greats have passed through Pittsburgh. It'd be a shame to lose them.