[News] Islanders announce move to Brooklyn in 2015

[OffsideSpecialist]

I have to think that this move will put the Islanders higher up on the totem pole for the saturated metro New York professional sports scene. It will certainly be easier to cover and get out to a game in Brooklyn rather than Uniondale. That has to be a big plus for the Isles.

The islander fans at HFBoards seem to be ecstatic, I haven't seen anyone really complaining except about them being worried about the name being changed (although that doesn't seem to be the case).

[getbak]

Here's a photo of the arena with the ice in place:

[Brannigans Law]

Originally Posted by valo403

Phoenix has a great arena, what they lack is location. This arena is less than ideal, but the location shouldn't be an issue. Brooklyn has a long hockey history and a ton of residents who grew up on Long Island. In fact, a number of the real 'hockey bars' in NYC are in Brooklyn.

I meant America West not the new one

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by getbak

Here's a photo of the arena with the ice in place:

Compare that to America West in Phoenix:



and Key Arena in Seattle:


Barclay's looks like a much better situation than either of those.

[WilderPegasus]

Originally Posted by Barnes

I mean in the event a team needs to move quickly and an owner in Seattle can be found.

Don't see how it could be any worse than the temporary buildings the Flames, Sharks, Senators, and Lightning played in.

[SuperMatt18]

I don't think the rink itself is really the issue, IMO for some of these teams in markets struggling to draw fans a 15k rink is not really a bad thing. Helps keep the demand for season tickets up when fans know they can't just walk up and buy tickets to every game.

The issue in this lease deal for me is the 25 year lease, just seems like too long of a time to be tied to a rink that does not really provide the ideal experience.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by WilderPegasus

Don't see how it could be any worse than the temporary buildings the Flames, Sharks, Senators, and Lightning played in.

The temp building in Tampa was incredible. Pretty much just put a rink and some bleachers up inside a convention center. I think that was my first NHL game not at the Dome, needless to say I came back thinking Tampa was kinda trashy. Turns out I was correct.

[Ashasx]

I would never be able to get used to that as a fan... I don't know why.

[valo403]

Read a mention (not sure if this is official or a fan idea) of turning some of that space below the pushed back seats into a standing room section for a supporters club, kind of like you see with soccer and some european hockey teams. Could be a pretty cool experience, a bunch of boisterous fans right behind the glass with nobody behind them to complain about having their view blocked etc.

[WilderPegasus]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

The issue in this lease deal for me is the 25 year lease, just seems like too long of a time to be tied to a rink that does not really provide the ideal experience.

Look at it from the perspective of the Barclay Center. If they spend money on renovations they want to know the team won't leave shortly after.

[getbak]

Here's the seating chart for the pre-season game the Isles were supposed to play against the Devils this year (spoiler for size):

Spoiler!

If only those seats make up the 14,500 capacity, it would seem that there could be plenty of options to increase that capacity a bit. If nothing else, rather than having a big void on either side of the net, you'd think they could put some seats alongside the rink there.

[valo403]

I believe that part of the reason for that one end of seats being completely blocked off is that the arena wasn't completely finished until recently. Even at the Jay-Z shows there was still a lot to finish at that end.

[simmonjam1]

I never understood why, in the US, they price the first two rows from the ice at a premium. You can't see jack in those seats except what's happening in front of you.

[Jets4Life]

This is great news for the Islanders franchise. Not only does it mean Brooklyn will get an NHL franchise for the first time in over 70 years, but the Winnipeg Jets no longer have the smallest arena seating capacity in the league!

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by troutman

Potvin still sucks!

Sacrilege!

#5 was my first-ever favourite player!

[valo403]

Originally Posted by simmonjam1

I never understood why, in the US, they price the first two rows from the ice at a premium. You can't see jack in those seats except what's happening in front of you.

They're great seats for taking clients or entertaining people, which particularly in NYC makes them pretty popular. They obviously suck for watching the game.

I have always wanted to sit front row behind the bench for a game though, just to watch things happening on the bench. Those tickets available for a ton of games at Nassau last year for way under face, I guess I better take advantage of that in the next couple of seasons.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by valo403

They're great seats for taking clients or entertaining people, which particularly in NYC makes them pretty popular. They obviously suck for watching the game.

I have always wanted to sit front row behind the bench for a game though, just to watch things happening on the bench. Those tickets available for a ton of games at Nassau last year for way under face, I guess I better take advantage of that in the next couple of seasons.

I did that for a Flames @ Coyotes game and I wasn't impressed with it. The only good that came out of it was being able to somewhat interact with the players. But when something is going on the players will stand and good luck seeing over those guys. I guess if you were going to the experience of seeing the bench it's good, but watching the game can be tough because of those distractions and sight problems.

[backs60]

Not to take anything away from islanders fans or the isles history with their cups but I was kinda hoping they would change their name, a new start. Even if it was the Brooklyn islanders that's better even.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by valo403

Read a mention (not sure if this is official or a fan idea) of turning some of that space below the pushed back seats into a standing room section for a supporters club, kind of like you see with soccer and some european hockey teams. Could be a pretty cool experience, a bunch of boisterous fans right behind the glass with nobody behind them to complain about having their view blocked etc.

Or just put a couple Skodas there.

[albertGQ]

First Yashin for 10 years, then Dipietro for 15 years and now Barclays for 25 years?