Both sides in arena talks merely flirting with disaster

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The end is in sight for the Penguins. And believe it or not, that's a good thing.

Monday's announcement by team owner Mario Lemieux that the talks between the Penguins and state and local officials about a new arena were at an impasse was mistaken by many fans as a Doomsday decree. That was it. End of the line. So long, Sid. Time to commiserate over a couple of Iron City Lights with your new buddies in Hartford, Winnipeg and Quebec City.

You can understand the reaction. The last time hockey fans heard "impasse" was just prior to the lockout that cancelled the 2004-05 season. Hardly the sort of word that warms the spirit.

But this is different. Despite their gloomy veneer, Mario's threats should be seen for what they were -- the storm before the calm. A last-minute power play. A bargaining ploy, and nothing more.

Sorry, Kansas City. You're out of luck, Vegas. The Pens are staying put in Pittsburgh.

Talks were set to resume on Thursday, March 8 in Philadelphia, and it's very clear that there's a deal to be made here. From all indications, it's very close to the one that's currently on the table.

Word is that the proposal put forth by the state at the last meeting is much better than the one offered when the two sides previously met. Nice of them to wait until the end of February to do that, but it's all part of the process, just like Mario's loaded words. Each side is simply looking to make the best deal it can.

Step back from the emotions and see the situation as it is. The reality is that this is long past being about a new building and who's going to pay for it. This has become a political football that no one benefits from dropping.

That doesn't mean it can't happen, of course. As we saw last week when the Edmonton Oilers decided to do the unthinkable and part company with Ryan Smyth, the difference between resolution and dissolution doesn't have to be an insurmountable sum of money. Sometimes it takes just one side saying, "That's enough."