Before the NHL’s expansion draft reshaped their future, the Pittsburgh Penguins nearly became Seattle’s first major professional hockey team. The franchise’s original ownership group had secured a deal with the city, only to face unexpected competition from a rival bid for the expansion spot. Legal battles and shifting priorities delayed the move, leaving the Penguins’ Seattle ambitions in limbo. Now, with the Kraken’s arrival, the story of how close another team came to calling the Emerald City home takes on new relevance.

MORE! Before Kraken, Penguins Were Almost Seattle-Bound  Pacific North Hockey