#24 PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Last Year's Rank: 35
Title Track: 24
Ownership: 16
Coaching: 54
Players: 6
Fan Relations: 3
Affordability: 36
Stadium Experience: 107
Bang for the Buck: 32

Not only is Pittsburgh's arena the oldest in the NHL (1961), it was originally built as an opera house. So, yes, fans are singing the praises for Mario Lemieux's ownership group (up 74 places) now that it has secured financing for new digs. The new building won't come on line until 2010, but not even the unwelcoming Igloo will keep the crowds away until then; this season the Pens sold out every home game for the first time ever. An average ticket price ($46.81) that ranks in the middle of the NHL pack helps. A phenom-studded (Sid the Kid, Hart candidate Evgeni Malkin) roster and the front office's win-now attitude (see Marian Hossa trade) helps more. Add free programs and the Baby Pens hand-delivering season tickets to 24 random buyers, and you get an NHL-best relationship with the peeps. "Extreme customer service," VP of Sales and Marketing Dave Soltesz calls it. Well, Penguins are used to extremes. -Doug Mittler

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