AROUND THE NHL

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Bernard Markovitz said Wednesday he is inclined to present the NHL’s plan to break up the Penguins to the team’s 200 creditors for a vote alongside competing plans, possibly June 24.

Two other reorganization plans have been filed, both involving retired Penguin star Mario Lemieux. Under the first plan, which has the NHL’s backing, Lemieux would be the managing partner of a group of nearly a dozen investors. The second plan was filed by a group led by SMG--the management company that operates Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena--and Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh. In the latter plan, Lemieux would be a consultant and own about 5% of the club.

Lemieux’s plan is set for a vote, and the SMG-Fox plan will be reviewed and challenged May 28. Fox must give up its stake in the New York Rangers to own part of the Penguins, NHL attorney Jeffrey Levitan said.

Looming in the background is a mystery buyer, widely rumored to be Paul Allen, who has offered $85 million for the team and would move it, presumably to Portland, Ore.