Savior of Kansas City - Closer than we thought?

With all the talk of an improved Royals team and the Chiefs going back into rebuilding mode (most likely), we have neglected a future asset that will spring KC back into the winner's circle. The Kansas City Monarchs (formerly the Pitt. Penguins). With news that Pitt. may not be making as much headway as they had hoped, it's time for KC to dream about being a winner again. Not just a winner down the road (Chiefs, Royals), but a winner next year; and probably the most exciting winner in the NHL. Why?

First of all, the Penguins are 21-17 and 8th in the Eastern Conference. Similar to the NBA and not the MLB or NFL, teams are in conferences; 16 teams get in from each conference and though the Penguins are only hovering above .500, they are in the 8th spot, with the potential to go to the playoffs this year. Meaning that next year, with more experience, KC can hope for an 8th spot or better. Odds are going to be better because of a few essential personnel, mainly Sidney Crosby (19 years old) and Evgeni Malkin (20 years old), with 52 points (17 in the league). Crosby currently leads the NHL in his second year in points and a young goaltender (aged 22) in Marc-Andre Fleury, who saves 90% of the time and is allowing just under 3 goals per game. This stat says to me that the Penguins need to play better defense, but otherwise have a young core of players to grow up in, and excite, Kansas City.

Not only this, but a Hall of Fame owner in Mario Lemieux.

This team has a solid group of players who can only get better as they mature and a rink in need of a team to promote and revitalize KC. Fans would be wise to embrace these players when they move next year because, as fans, we may be perennially grumbling and grousing about the lack of wins from the Royals and Chiefs, but I predict winning for many years to come in Kansas City from the KC Monarchs, formerly known as the Pitt. Penguins.