Off topic: New York Islanders future decided today?

by John Fontana on Aug 1, 2011 9:29 AM EDT in National Hockey League

UNIONDALE NY Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, home of the New York Islanders... but for how much longer? (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Today is August 1^st, 2011. It's a day that will live in infamy upon the narrow strip of land known as Long Island, New York, for the ages... At least hockey fans.

Today, Nassau County votes on funding for a new arena to replace Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, one of the oldest and smallest venues in the National Hockey League. This has been a project that Isles owner Charles Wang has attempted to undertake since 2005, and Long Island residents have been lukewarm to the idea of major development in their perpetual suburb.

The Not In My Backyard (NIMBy) sentiment regarding major development reminds me a lot of Tampa Bay, where the population is sprawled out in subdivisions and bedroom communities with a sore lack of cohesion... except in our pro sports, though our allegiances vary. The politics of a big-ticket investment riles the population up in the for-and-against factions, but it tends to come down to "What's in it for me? Will I ever use it?"

And that's the question Nassau County residents will ask themselves today before voting. It'll gauge the value to residents of past triumph and future-promise of the New York Islander organization as compared to personal financial difficulties and social hardships that come with the times.

NBC's ProHockeyTalk has a better primer about today's referendum, linking to for-and-against opinions. Of course, check out Lighthouse Hockey and NYI Point Blank for more in-depth Isles coverage.

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Well its not the end all be all

the Isles still have their lease for the Mausoleum for 2015 but a vote of No today would be a major blow on their chances of sticking around

"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx

In Prust We Trust

"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.

A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep

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by Kevin Power on Aug 1, 2011 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

OT: I liked "8k" better, Kev

IT’s not an end-all-be-all, but it’s major. It hastens the need for a new venue or the exploration of places outside Nassau County. I know there’s been talk of the Willets Point redevelopment (Flushing Meadows) as a potential home. Larry Brooks bumbled his assumption that Barclays Center could host the Isles: The building has been designed as a Basketball venue, not a multi-purpose arena. The sightlines are not going to be grand for hockey.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Aug 1, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I had it changed

to look more professional as a byline and the talk about the Islanders moving to Flushing (right where the mets play) seems to be a pipe dream that would work for the franchise and the fan base (since a lot of met fans are islander fans and vice verca) but the Rangers would never allow a team to encroach the 5 boroughs because of the loss in revenue

"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx

In Prust We Trust

"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.

A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep

Follow me @8kpower

by Kevin Power on Aug 1, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, because MSG can hold all 8 million people within the city limits of NYC. /sarcasm

Counting down the days until players report to training camp. Is it September yet?
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Aug 1, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly what I was thinking. It’s hard to make a case against a in-state Isles move, especially seeing they are already inside the Rangers boundries. To me, the Rags, Devils and Isles all overlap.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Aug 1, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

granted they cant (yet)

but they will still claim of a potential loss of revenue so they will block the move

"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx

In Prust We Trust

"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.

A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep

Follow me @8kpower

by Kevin Power on Aug 1, 2011 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Hockey history lost

It is such a shame when any pro franchise finds itself in the situation the Isles are in, then again we are talking about New York where every idiot politician sings the party line money song to scare the voters. 12 lousy dollars a year in taxes whether you go to the games or not. you already let these vultures fleece you for thousnds a year in property taxes. give up a pack and a half (I think that works out right) of cigarettes and you will have a franchise to represent you in pro sports. I left New York city 20 years ago for Tampa Bay and could not imagine not having the Lightning hockey team. Long Island,here is your choice- 12 meesly dollars or dead beats! P.S The Tolls are more than that!

by bolt69 on Aug 1, 2011 3:35 PM EDT reply actions