NHL's Penguins may be mulling move to Houston

Attention, Houston major league hockey fans — we know you're out there — you may want to keep your fingers crossed for the next few days: The Chronicle reports today that a delegation from the Pittsburgh Penguins is expected to visit Houston this week to consider the possibility of moving the NHL franchise here.

It's rumored that Hockey legend and Penguins owner Mario Lemieux will lead the group from the Steel City, but beyond that, not a whole lot is known: Harris County-Houston Sports Authority Executive Director Janis Schmees said she had heard talk about a possible visit, but that it would be handled by the mayor's office. And brass at the Toyota Center, where the team would play, were quiet as well: "We look forward to seeing them if they're here," said Tad Brown, CEO of the Rockets and Clutch City Entertainment, which operates the arena. "We'll show them how great a city Houston is and how great Toyota Center is."

In December, Lemieux said the team would "explore relocation offers in cities outside Pennsylvania" after its lease expires at Mellon Arena, the oldest facility in the NHL, June 30. Talks with Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania officials about a new arena seem to be going south, and meanwhile, other cities are moving in, including Kansas City, which a rent-free deal in its new Sprint Center. Lemieux told KC officials on Jan. 4 that he would give them an answer within 30 days; presumably, a decision on Houston — if there is one to be made — might come by early February, too. Stay tuned.

Update: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Sports Authority chairman Billy Burge has confirmed the Penguins will visit Houston. "It's not a rumor. It's truly a story," Burge said on KTRH-AM. "Right now, the contact has been through the mayor's office and we’re letting that work itself through. It's in the mayor's corner. They have contacted him." And back north, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said he'll go to NHL directors to keep the Penguins from leaving: "We do not want to have to go to the NHL Board of Governors, but we would have no alternative, given [a Pittsburgh arena] deal, if they turned it down," he said.