New Pens owners will keep team in Pittsburgh, want hotel near PPG

What they're saying: "The Penguins are going to be in Pittsburgh and always going to be in Pittsburgh as long as the Hoffmanns are a part of it," said Geoff Hoffmann at a press conference Thursday.

Context: The Pens saw some scares in the mid-2000s with potential moves out of Pittsburgh — possibly to Kansas City, Las Vegas or Hamilton, Ontario.

• The team's lease at PPG Paints Arena runs through 2040.

Yes, but: The Hoffmanns said they want the Pens' ECHL minor league hockey affiliate club to become the Florida Everblades, indicating the Wheeling Nailers won't be the affiliate for much longer.

Zoom in: The Hoffmanns also said they are committed to building a hotel near the arena.

• "With four sports teams, three colleges, it doesn't look like you have enough hotels. We're very interested in building a hotel here," Geoff Hoffmann said.

State of play: The Penguins relinquished rights to developing the parking lots across PPG Paints Arena after development plans stalled.

• The area was a vibrant, predominantly Black neighborhood after the industrial revolution, but it was razed in the late 1950s to make way for Civic Arena, the Pens' first home.

• Since Civic Arena's demolition in the early 2010s, redevelopment plans have been complicated as private owners, elected officials and community leaders have struggled to come to a consensus — though some development has been completed recently.

The bottom line: The Hoffmann family gave several signs they are committed to Pittsburgh and investing in the region and the team.

• Geoff Hoffmann said he is buying a home in Squirrel Hill and should be closing on the property sometime next week.
• He also said general manager Kyle Dubas will "have whatever resources he needs" to improve the team.