I've Been Wondering That Too!

Yesterday, Dave Molinari answered an interesting question submitted by a reader:

Q: Where did the old banners go? Did they keep the Michel Briere one or the Hornets banners up? Are they going to auction off any of them? - Jeff Flynn Jr., Atlanta

MOLINARI:
The banner honoring the late Michel Briere and his sweater No. 21 still hangs at Mellon Arena. The Hornets banner only made a cameo appearance a few seasons ago and hasn't been seen since.

The Penguins, as most fans presumably have heard by now, replaced the banners toasting their team accomplishments (Stanley Cups, division and conference championships) and adding some celebrating their Art Ross and Hart Trophy winners.

Team officials say no decision has been made on what to do with the banners that were taken down before the home-opener this season, although putting them on display somewhere -- be it in the arena that will open for the 2010-11 season or a venue such as the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the John Heinz History Center -- certainly would seem to be in order.

If management does opt to auction them off, the proceeds presumably would go to some charitable cause rather than into the franchise's coffers.

[Boy, am I glad I took a few pictures of them while they were up there (I even got some right before they were taken down -- the weekend the Penguins were in Sweden and the arena was open to watch the game on the jumbotron and for the tours)!!]