The Pittsburgh Penguins decided to cut ties with their long-time ECHL affiliate team, the Wheeling Nailers. As it ended their 29-year-old partnership, it did not sit well with the fans.

The Penguins announced their decision via their Instagram account on July 16. The team's president of hockey operations and general manager, Kyle Dubas, thanked the Nailers in their statement.

"The Penguins are grateful to the Wheeling Nailers for being a tremendous partner as our ECHL affiliate over the last 29 years," the statement read. "It is only because of very unique circumstances that we must say goodbye at this time."

The Penguins thanked the Nailers via social media for producing great players for them. Some of the players include Stanley Cup champions like Tom Kuhnhackl, Carter Rowney, and Josh Archibald.

The move comes shortly after the Hoffmann Family became the Penguins' new owners. They said during their introductory press conference that they wanted to align the team with the Florida Everblades, which they also own.

"The Nailers have run a first-class operation for many years, and any organization would be fortunate to have them as an affiliate," Dubas continued. "We wish the city of Wheeling, the Nailers, and all of their fans continued success as a great ECHL franchise."

Amid the decision taken by the Penguins, fans were seemingly upset about it.

Fans react to the Penguins cutting ties with ECHL’s Nailers team

The Penguins fans were unhappy after the announcement of the Nailers' parting ways with the Penguins, and shared their thoughts and opinions on the Penguins' post. A fan believes the Penguins moved away from a loyal local fan base in Wheeling for a decision that may not build the same support in Florida.

"another TERRIBLE decision by ownership and kyle dubas and the pittsburgh penguins," a fan wrote. "This is dissapointing. wheeling people are penguins fans. you think florida everblades fans are gonna be rooting for the penguins?" the comment read.

The Penguins have partnered up with the Florida Everblades. The link is that the Everblades are owned by the Hoffmann Family of Companies, the same company that bought the Penguins, according to NHL.com.

"Already disliking this new ownership," another fan commented.

The decision of the Penguins' ownership change from Fenway Sports Group to its new owners was announced by the NHL on June 24.

"Actually zero reason for this other than personal gain," another fan replied, suggesting it being a bad decision for the team.

The Hoffmann Family of Companies bought the Everblades in 2019, and with the approval of the NHL's board of governors, secured the Penguins deal for apooximately $1.75 billion.

"Man this is not the move :/," a fan wrote.

The Nailers have been one of the most successful teams in developing NHL talent, producing a total of 71 players for the NHL over the years.

"Nah. Bad move here. Did them dirty, no loyalty," another fan commented. The Nailers, as mentioned earlier, were the affiliate team for the Penguins for 29 years, with the fans indicating the Penguins didn't show loyalty.

Amid the Penguins changing their ECHL affiliates after the ownership change earlier in June, the fans do not seem happy with the decision. Time will tell if the decision will be a detrimental one for the Penguins or not.

What are your thoughts on the situation? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar