PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux said the team isn't happy after last week's meeting with Gov. Ed Rendell and city officials about building a new arena -- but from what it seems, neither is Rendell.

Lemieux told WTAE Channel 4's news exchange partner, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, that Penguins officials were "offended and very disappointed" by the latest round of discussions, which unexpectedly included casino owner Don Barden.

Since the meeting, city and county leaders have not talked about the negotiations, but Rendell has.

"Mario wasn't even there," said Rendell. "I don't know how he was offended. He wasn't even there."

Part of the talks focused on who would be allowed to develop land around the new arena, which would be built across from Mellon Arena.

The Trib reported that the Sports and Exhibition Authority may be planning to give some of those rights to Barden, who recently won a state license to build a slot machine casino in Pittsburgh and is pledging to spend $7.5 million a year toward a new arena.

Rendell and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl have said that the city's offer to the Penguins is the best deal given to an NHL team in recent years, although they have declined to disclose any financial specifics.

Rendell said he believes the NHL would not allow the Penguins to move.

Rendell said the deal on the table, coupled with the fan base in Pittsburgh, would force the league to veto any attempted move by the Penguins.

But a source within the ownership group said that is not the case.

"They can look at any place they want, but remember, this isn't just the Penguins decision, the NHL has to ratify this decision," said Rendell.

There has been no word on when talks between both sides will resume.

Lemieux is expected to tour the Toyota Center in Houston later this week while the team's ownership group is in Dallas for the NHL All-Star Game.

According to a source within the ownership group, while many would like to see the team stay in Pittsburgh, the best return on their investment would come from a move to Kansas City, and some of the partners are pressuring Lemieux and fellow owner Ron Burkle to make that deal.

"They keep coming up with new requests," said Rendell. "'Well, we owe the Isle of Capri $10 million if we stay here.' Well, I'm not sure I would have ever signed that contract. That doesn't sound to me like such a great deal."

About two weeks ago, Lemieux said the team would need to make a decision on its future within 30 days.

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