[Rumour] Barclays Center Is Dumping the Islanders

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Pretty much saw that coming, looked like a horrible place to watch hockey. What was the reason for the Islanders never getting involved prior to Barclays being built so the arena could be configured for hockey? Was Wang still trying to get an arena built in Nassau county?

Simple solution: Move them to Quebec City but call it an expansion team made up of former Islanders. Then in a few years if a proper arena is built on Long Island award an expansion team but call it a continuation of the Islanders franchise. Then they can keep the history.

I believe Wang's ambitious plans for that arena and entertainment district were around the same time as Barclays centre was being given the green light. I don't believe the Islanders had any idea that they may want to be part of Barclays.

[FireGilbert]

Could they play out of MSG? It's still on an island. Staples centre has two basketball teams and a hockey team.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Could they play out of MSG? It's still on an island. Staples centre has two basketball teams and a hockey team.

MSG is already busy like 320 or something nights a years. I don't see a way they fit.

[Locke]

Hey....cancel the Expansion Draft and Viva Las Vegas!!

[Geeoff]

They could just share MSG with the Rangers

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Could they play out of MSG? It's still on an island. Staples centre has two basketball teams and a hockey team.

Originally Posted by Weitz

MSG is already busy like 320 or something nights a years. I don't see a way they fit.

Yeah, no chance MSG adds a second hockey team for 44+ dates.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Yeah, no chance MSG adds a second hockey team for 44+ dates.

Can they do a temporary thing with the Prudential Center for a few years?

[Buff]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

They could always just merge with the Flames.

Our goaltending would get better.

[Otto-matic]

The only problem with having multiple teams in an arena is the on ice logos.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Can they do a temporary thing with the Prudential Center for a few years?

I'm sure the Devils would love the decrease in ticket sales that would result in another NHL team in Prudential Center. They already have big problems selling tickets. Unless they can get a ridiculous good lease deal with the Islanders I can't see that happening.

[lambeburger]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

The only problem with having multiple teams in an arena is the on ice logos.

They can put the NHL shield in the middle of the rink instead, kind of like what the Giants/Jets do with the NFL logo in Metlife Stadium.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Can they do a temporary thing with the Prudential Center for a few years?

The Meadowlands Arena has been closed, but not demolished. For an emergency temporary venue, it's that or back to Nassau.

[calgarygeologist]

Maybe they can use the Hartford Civic Center on a temporary basis?

[Otto-matic]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Maybe they can use the Hartford Civic Center on a temporary basis?

I was thinking of Bridgeport too, AHL/NHL in the same arena for the time being.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

http://www.nassaucoliseum.com/nassau...ign-renderings

They are doing a redesign and face lift.

Just do this to the Dome and call this Next BS off already.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Just do this to the Dome and call this Next BS off already.

Try facelifting in a practice facility, or facelifting out the load-bearing concrete chokepoints in the concourse.

The Saddledome was a good design only if you bought the premise that everything had already been invented and nobody would ever want more amenities in an arena.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Just do this to the Dome and call this Next BS off already.

Oh take this garbage elsewhere. There are already lots of threads for you to cry about Calgary's arena in.

[getbak]

There have been rumours that the move to Barclays was always temporary and the Islanders want to build something permanent somewhere else. The most-frequently mentioned locations are beside Citi Field, where Shea Stadium used to stand; or at the Belmont Race Track.

Belmont is only 9 miles from the old Coliseum and has a LIRR station at the track. Citi Field has both LIRR and NYC Subway stations. Citi Field is closer to Nassau than Brooklyn is, but not as close as Belmont.


I believe both the Mets and the group that runs Belmont Park want to turn their facilities into more year-round sports and entertainment destinations, but their current primary tenants are very seasonal.

I'm sure the Mets would love to build an LA Live type place next to Citi Field, but they need something to draw people there from October to April when the Mets aren't playing. The Islanders would be a perfect fit for that because their seasons are almost perfectly offset from baseball.



If they were to get a deal done soon, they could be in the new arena for the start of the 2019-20 season. Most arenas are built in about 2 years from groundbreaking to grand opening. The arena in Glendale was only about 21 months and Ottawa was about 18.

The problem is that both places are publicly owned, so there would likely need to be some public money spent towards building a new arena. That makes getting a deal done soon less likely (unless they've been working behind the scenes and are close to announcing something).

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Just do this to the Dome and call this Next BS off already.

They got all they could out of Dome renovations in 1995, now it's 22 years later. They're not going that route, it's a unique building not at all conducive to being "facelifted" to modern standards.

[bob-loblaw]

Move them to Rexall since it's empty.