Forbes has Penguins team value at $288 million, 9th best among NHL teams

People around the league almost always dispute the Forbes values but Forbes this week released their annual NHL team value list and according to them, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the first team in hockey to be valued at $1 billion dollars. The New York Rangers are second with a team value of $750 million, Montreal Canadiens are third at $575 million, Chicago Blackhawks are fourth in team value at $350 million and the Boston Bruins round out the top-5 with a team value of $348 million.

The Penguins who have seen their team value skyrocket under the previous CBA, leading to a new area that opened in 2010, cracked the top-10 ranking ninth with a team value of $288 million. After losing money in their inaugural season at Consol Energy Center, Forbes indicates Pittsburgh had an operating income of $9.1 million in 2011-2012.

Forbes writes, “The Penguins have proven that it is possible for a small-market NHL franchise to consistently be a playoff team and make money given the right arena deal and smart management.”