The Penguins and the region's two top political leaders are pledging to communicate better after meeting yesterday to discuss the team's slots proposal.

Mayor Bob O'Connor and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato met with the Penguins and Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. at the County Courthouse yesterday to hear about Isle's proposal for the Pittsburgh slots license, Penguins consultant David Morehouse confirmed this morning.

The meeting came a couple of days after the mayor and Gov. Ed Rendell expressed frustration over the unwillingness of the Penguins to discuss a Plan B for funding a new arena in the event Isle of Capri does not win the slots license. The team has said it is barred by its agreement with Isle of Capri from discussing other plans.

Mr. Morehouse said the team's stance has not changed and that there was no discussion of an alternative plan during the meeting. But he added Mr. O'Connor, Mr. Onorato and team officials promised to communicate better in the future to avoid a "war of words."

"Everyone agreed to have better lines of communication," he said.

However, he added that yesterday's meeting had been scheduled before the comments by the public officials this week.

The state Gaming Control Board is expected to make its decision late this year or early next year. The Penguins' lease at Mellon Arena expires in July 2007, but the team can begin shopping the franchise to other cities this summer.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.