They would have left, 100% guaranteed. They couldn't make any money, so they would have sold the team, and nobody would have kept the team in Pittsburgh with a 60 year old arena and no hope for a new one. The gambling license became a cure-all for a lot of the cities woes, not the least of which was the arena.

Lemieux's backers really only cared about getting the casino license. Lemieux sincerely cares about this city and he didn't want his legacy to up and move away. But he would have made a profit, blamed it all on the politicians, and justifiably wiped his hands of the entire situation. And I would have had no problem with him then either.

He can do no wrong in my minds eye, he's my hero and always will be.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

If they traded Crosby for a couple of all-star caliber wingers and a dozen 1st round draft picks they would become a modern day dynasty. When Malkin has full leadership of the team he becomes possessed by some sort of skull crushing demon from the hottest planes of hell. During Sid's ankle injury the Malone/Malkin/Sykora line was the best line I've seen in the game of hockey since the Legend of Doom was in full glory. Malkin dominating every zone, every shift, every game.

But trading Crosby is a PR nightmare that would destroy everything. Malkin is not very charismatic, he cares on the ice but off of it he prefers to be aloof.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

i dont dislike mario, but lets be honest. as an owner, hes a businessman, and businessmen say what need to be said and do what needs to be done to get what they want and need. and thats ok with me. you dont get far in business playing fair all the time.

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Malkin and Ovechkin are hilarious off the ice. They are crazy. Ovechkin was riding on some equipment cart around the Washington arena with Backstrom and Semin and almost got killed by a door or something. Backstrom was scared as hell, Ovechkin was laughing.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

I would love to see Malkin run his own team to really see what he can do.

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It was Mike Green, and he almost killed himself - Green had already ducked underneath.

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mechaphil