[Rumour] Islanders and Barclay's center looking to terminate lease agreement after 1 year

[Ben_in_Canada]

I was looking at tickets to an Islanders v Flyers game a few weeks ago (it was cancelled due to the snow storm).
The majority of tickets I looked at (available) had an obstructed view. Just an oddly shaped arena.

[topfiverecords]

Went to a game vs the Wings there on Monday. After the game I went to check out the limited view seats. They sure are limited.

[Huntingwhale]

That arena is hilarious. Such an ''Islanders'' place. I cant help but laugh when I see photos.

[doctajones428]

Good. That offset score board and car behind the glass drives me nuts

[Locke]

Wow. Talk about strife between a landlord and a tenant when both want the other gone.

Barclays center is such a disaster. What a terrible place for hockey.

Did anyone even look at the place before they signed the lease?

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Locke

Wow. Talk about strife between a landlord and a tenant when both want the other gone.

Barclays center is such a disaster. What a terrible place for hockey.

Did anyone even look at the place before they signed the lease?

That was all irrelevant - the whole point of the move was for Wang to stop flushing money until he managed to offload the team. Mission accomplished. And I can't say I blame him - after me, the flood...

[troutman]

Queens is on Long Island. So is Brooklyn.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

That was all irrelevant - the whole point of the move was for Wang to stop flushing money until he managed to offload the team. Mission accomplished. And I can't say I blame him - after me, the flood...

Not only that, but when the Lighthouse project fell through, it largely became a case of Barclays or relocation.

[getbak]

The old Coliseum is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation that will modernize the building, but it will also significantly reduce its capacity (which was already one of the smallest in the league) to 13,000 for hockey.

The renovated building is supposed to open by the end of the year.

[1991 Canadian]

I'm surprised I'm the first to throw this out there, but where will the Islanders play if not at the Barclays Center? It sounds like the Nassau Coliseum is being renovated down to 13,000 seats. MSG isn't an option. Are they planning on building another arena in the New York area?

I feel for Islanders fans, but it seems like its the Barclays Center or nothing at this point.

[McG]

Originally Posted by taffeyb

We went to see a Nets game there and loved it. Yes. Everything is shades of grey from the concrete to the roof to the seats. However, the court "popped". Technicolour with respect to the surroundings. After all, the game is the focus. That's all we noticed was the game. Didn't really notice the other fans or empty seats as they faded into the background.

bob Stauffer said that the backdrop was to blame for the oilers loss there a few weeks ago. *homer voice* stupid backdrop!

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by 1991 Canadian

I'm surprised I'm the first to throw this out there, but where will the Islanders play if not at the Barclays Center?

Quebec City

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by troutman

Queens is on Long Island. So is Brooklyn.

Exactly, I think the players are just pissed that the practice location is quite far east from Brooklyn, so you're either commuting for practice or games. Queens would bring them back closer to their main fan-base, and presumably a new rink could be used as a practice facility as well if not sharing with an NBA team.

[Table 5]

While Brooklyn may be on Long Island, from a mind-set standpoint there is definitely a disconnect. A lot of Islanders will drive quite a bit around the Island, but many avoid going into the city. It's not unlike people who have no problem driving to Cross Iron Mills from the south, but just never go downtown. My in-laws in Long Island are like that....living an hour and a half from the greatest city on the planet, but don't really take advantage because they like their lifestyle as is. Going to the old Coliseum was like going to the mall. Going to Brooklyn is going to another city.

It's also one thing to do it once in a while, but to do it 40 times a year? It's a lot to ask of your core fans to brave that type of traffic (car or train), for a seemingly sub-par experience. I would've though they'd have more support from Brooklynites...but it's not easy to get people's attention in NYC, there's a ton of competition.

I think for the Islanders to work, they have to be further east...east of even Queens. Long Island itself is one big-ass metropolitan area that stretches for hours. It can more than sustain a team if they build a new stadium.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Going to the old Coliseum was like going to the mall.

You give it too much credit. It was like going to a dilapidated old Walmart. Granted, Walmart with awesome beer selection.

[Table 5]

The dated small-fry vibe of the place is actually what I liked about the Coliseum. It was like a time warp back to what the NHL in the 70/80s must've been. Cheap tickets (so great seats), organ music, lots of kids with their parents, and minimal corporate intrusion. It was barely above the level of a community hockey rink, but I had a good time.