PITTSBURGH -- The future of the Pittsburgh Penguins is still up in the air -- but maybe not for long.

In downtown Pittsburgh on Thursday, the Penguins had a late meeting with Gov. Ed Rendell, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.

In the hour-long meeting, finances of the "Plan B" proposal, which includes construction of a new arena in Pittsburgh, were discussed.

In Thursday's meeting, Rendell said the state would no longer expect the Pens to put up $8.5 million or the $2.9 million as far as debt services are concerned for the new arena.

Lemieux said he was "happy" and very "optimistic" after the meeting, but was not putting Kansas City behind him just yet. Lemieux also stressed that he was happy with the offer Kansas City has made as well.

"It's been very positive today," said Lemieux. "But I'm very pleased with both meetings."

Before Thursday's meeting, Rendell said the Pens would be expected to contribute less money to the Plan B project than the Pirates did for PNC Park, although he did not say what the amount would be.

In a statement, Lemieux said, "Our hope is to reach a new arena deal as soon as possible that will best ensure the economic health and long-term future of the Penguins franchise."

"They've got to do what they have to do," said Onorato. "We're in a position to put together a very competitive deal for a new arena and a franchise to be in that arena. And I believe at the end of the day, the NHL and ownership of the NHL will see that this is a competitive deal."

Team owners Ron Burkle and Lemieux took an up-close look at construction of the new Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday morning. The arena could seat 17,000 for hockey, and all of its luxury suites have been sold.

Anschutz Entertainment Group, which will operate the building, said the Penguins could be the main tenant of the arena, and they would not be required to pay rent nor buy into the management agreement. They would also become working partners of AEG, reported KMBC-TV in Kansas City.

"They have told us they will make a decision within 30 days," AEG President Tim Leiweke said. "We will know within 30 days whether they are going to work out their issues in Pittsburgh and get an arena built, or whether they will ask the NHL for permission to move the team to Kansas City."

Rendell said the Kansas City deal is not as sweet as it sounds.

"Look at the Kansas City deal carefully," said Rendell. "Concession revenues are an important part of the deal. They're not getting a free arena and all of the revenues from Kansas City either."

"No one wants to go anywhere," said Colby Armstrong, of the Penguins. "We got great fans. We went to the game last night, and the student rush line was wrapped around the rink. It's a great sports town, and it would be a shame to see them leave."

"We all want to stay here," said Sidney Crosby, of the team. "We all believe it's going to pull through, but at the same time, it's out of our control and we have to worry about playing hockey."

Lemieux has said his ownership group is looking at all options for the 2007 season, when the Pens' lease at Mellon Arena expires. A relocation of the franchise is one of the possibilities.

"We are not trying to steal the Penguins," Leiweke said. "We have been very respectful of their process. We understand that this is Pittsburgh's to lose, and we respect that."

Lemieux said the Pens hope to accelerate the decision-making process to within a week.

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