IMAGINE THE CROWD IF THEY WERE IN 29TH!
Napkin notes on the sellout and less crucial matters
Deciphering my notes on a napkin while enjoying Monday’s game against the Penguins with the kids…
Island Appreciation: I was talking over the weekend to an old pal whose family moved off the Island a few years ago. I mentioned how, with my wife away for the week, I was going to take my three boys to the President’s Day matinee against the Penguins. My buddy became nostalgic.
“That’s one of the things I really miss about the Island,” she said. “You want to go to a game where we live, it’s a long drive and you pay 25 bucks to park a mile away. Even on nights when the Coliseum is packed, we used to leave the house at 6:30 and be in our seats for the National Anthem. The best hockey players in the world, right there in Nassau County. I didn’t realize how great we had it.”
Many Long Islanders do. The Islanders are in last in the league. They have been out of the playoff race since before Hanukkah. And yet, today’s game was sold out – the third matinee capacity crowd of the season. When my gang left the building about 30 minutes after Joey MacDonald’s save on Sidney Crosby, there were still long lines at the merchandise stands.
And yet some big-mouths still question the viability of this market.
Tamby’s Defense-less Goal: My fondness for Jeff Tambellini is well-documented. I know I’m not the only evil, “he’s-out-to-get-us” person in the press box who’d kill to see the kid do well.
But let’s get something straight about Jeff’s brilliant shootout goal against Pittsburgh. As a step in his NHL career, it has as much to do with his development as winning the NBA dunk contest. It is nothing for him to build on, because he has scored in the shootout before. He can score on a jumper from 30 feet out in his sleep. I’m sure Tambellini is thrilled to contribute to a win, but he even knows he has a long way to go in the first 65 minutes of play.
Hillen over Callahan: Contrary to what I saw from a few Comment-ators in the pre-game, I had no problem with the Islanders choosing Jack Hillen to play against the Penguins over Joe Callahan.
Hillen is a prospect of less than one year whom the Islanders must continue to develop, monitor and – since he’s RFA this summer – make decisions on. No offense to Callahan, but this is his sixth year of pro. The Islanders know what he is. Unlike playing Jon Sim over Jeremy Colliton or Trevor Smith, Hillen-over-Callahan is the type of lineup move the Islanders should be making the rest of the way.
Renney’s Benefit of the Doubt: This may not be relevant to the Islanders in your eyes, but it is to my former life as their PR person so this stuff always makes the blog. If you want to know one of the many by-products of answering questions honestly, looking people in the eye and treating everyone with respect, all you have to do is look at Tom Renney.
It may not get him anywhere. It doesn’t even guarantee he’ll be coaching when the Islanders play his Rangers at the Garden on Wednesday. But while the fans are calling for his head because it’s tough to yell about a guy hiding in an executive suite high above the arena, almost everyone in the press and “in the game” is standing up for Tom Renney. As it should be.
Calls to mind what I used to tell the Islanders players when I would encourage them to be forthright and classy with the media: “For the last three years of his career, David Cone basically didn’t get anybody out. Yet he walked off the mound to standing ovations and never got jabbed in the press.”
Comments.
75 Responses to IMAGINE THE CROWD IF THEY WERE IN 29TH!
Napkin notes on the sellout and less crucial matters
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mrlbem says:
The New Jersey Devils have won 3 Cups in the last 15 years, have a consistantly winning team even in their down years and can’t come close to a sell out on most nights. Makes me crazy, therefore, when some yahoo in the Press states that we’re the third hockey team in a three team market. If this franchise had the Devils’ success over the last 15 years, there would never be an empty seat in the Old Barn.
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nyislanders93 says:
I was there, I don’t think it was sold out, but it was definitely very close to it. I think the attendance has been doing great for a team that is so far out of the playoffs.
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kevin says:
i missed the core of the four but i remember it. couldnt get one goal. it was unfortunate.the guy behind the ice girl creeps the hell out of me. the fans are out there. just need something to cheer for. not to menton some cant get the chance becuase of money and the economy
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rob says:
Bruno was the best dman today. ( Aside from okpsoso?) … Atlanta seems to scoring at a rapid pace on the west coast, lets hope they keep it up. Chris your thoughts on how many points the 30th overall team will have come April 12th. Id say Islanders with 63. Atlanta with 65-70…
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bcaroll – I was embarassed about the fact that the Core of The Four game was not sold out. It was still a great day tho and I got lots of good pics taboot.
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AM says:
CB, I would think that the Tamby shootout goal in a way would help him in Gordon’s eyes. Heck, the guy was scratched for a long period of time. Anything to help the team win would be beneficial in his case.
On a more sour note, what the heck has happened to Mike Comrie?
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NYI93 – There was an announced attendance of approx 15550 at the Core game. Very disappointing in my opinion.
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Justin says:
Nice points regarding Renney. He has always been a class act in every interview I’ve ever seen and in every comment I’ve read. The Rangers’ problems clearly rest with Sather who doled out some ridiculous contracts that the team may not get out from under until 2014. I don’t understand why they signed Redden to that insane deal and didn’t go after Streit, who is far more suited to what they need.
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Brian- Wasn’t the last core game last year? My point was that recently as in this year, the attendance has been up. The NYI website announced that today was a sellout crowd. Ever since the whole issue with the Islanders possibly moving came up, the attendance has been a whole lot higher than it has been for the past few years.
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isles316 says:
Sather should fire himself for making a bunch of bad signings and for having the most over rated team in the league on the ice.
Renny would get a bad deal if he gets fired.
Who on that team scares anyone besides Lundqvist?
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Watching Kings vs Atlanta. 4-2 Atlanta after 1 but I think the Kings are going to come back.
If you guys get a chance, check out the Kings play. Dustin Brown is exactly what a captain should be and they have lots of talent to surround him. Okposo and Brown play a similar game but Brown hits a bit more.
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a bit? a lot. i dont think we should label who the captain is. its what is in the lockeroom although setting examples on the ice is a major part too. also, thats my favorite part about okposo, the fact that he makes his own plays. im amazed with what okposo does so naturally i have high hopes for tavares. although it may be better the average for another teams fan and i am just desperate to see an allstar forward. totally agree with you on 11. the rags are in a terrible situation. contracts are terrible and gm is too. honestly, hockey wise, they are in a worse situation then us. but we have the moving cloud over are heads
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I think you have a point on Tambellini in terms of his overall play.
As far as confidence building goes, there should be no doubt in this kids mind or Gordons that he has a world class wrist shot. One that can beat NHL caliber goalies.
That is something this kid can take with him and build his game around. With a shot like that there is no reason why this kid can’t score on a regular basis.
He should walk away from this game knowing that. That wrister he has looks comparable to a lot of guys full bore slap shots in this league.
Gordon should use that as a positive to build up this kids game.
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Justin (9): Im not sure why they chose Redden over Streit, either… I guess the only reason I can think of is that they thought that Redden was the bigger name, the bigger catch, the bigger deal- and that they bought into what the Habs said about Streit being a poor defenseman who benefitted only from the talent of his linemates (LOL!) I am just grateful they made the choice they did… so grateful!
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blitz says:
How many years has Dustin Brown been in the NHL vs. Okposo? The kid developed into an all-around NHL’er over several years, not 80 games folks. Patience.
Sad thing with the NYR is that they will most likely have 2-3 coaches before all those bad contracts expire.
After Renney, the only likely move is to bring in a hardnosed coach to wakeup the team. Lavy or torts anyone?
Line of fire job because those contracts/players will outlast you and THEY know it.
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Chris A says:
Saw some empty seats but it certainly was within a 1000 or so of a sellout shame if Renney goes cause hes a good coach of a lousy team who needs to bring back a certain person in order to rejuvenate them. If the Isles win on Wednesday look out
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mtrico says:
Chickendirt, I admire your undying support for Tambellini, and you are correct, that was a great wrist shot. But scoring consistently in a game, and scoring in a shootout are two completely different things. I just don’t see this guy developing into that player you seem to think he can be. Hopefully I am wrong, and you are right, but I just don’t see this kid taking the next step. There are plenty of guys who have succeeded in the minors, only to wash out in the pros. Unfortunately, I think Tambellini may fit that profile.
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Jeff says:
CB: Please get serious when you talk about the future. This team has so many weaknesses that its simply daunting. DP’s contract is a bigger albatross than Yashin’s was. At best, DP is an average goalie that we’re married to for another 12 years. The fact that he’s yet to play a full season since signing that contract only underscores the problem.
There isn’t a legitimate first line forward on the team and the D isn’t much better. No way this team has even the seeds to grow into a legitimate contender. Seeing that picture of Potvin makes me so sad to think how far this team has fallen.
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d-man says:
jeff… dp is no albatross… he’s not making 9-10 mill a a year that an albatross would be making. that statement is so stupid. he’s been injured. injuries happen. doesn’t make him an avg goalie. that’s ridiculous.
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Smokey says:
Jeff buddy… Rome wasn’t built in a day… have patience my son
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kingbet123 says:
I really want to see Tambellini play and score consistently…..he’s really a talented player who’s running out of time with the organization.
Even if you hate the Rangers, you have to like Tom Renney and what he stands for. He’s always handled himself with class. Last time I looked, he wasn’t the GM. Why is he getting hammered when certain people (cough…Sather…cough)are flying under the radar?
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SIR WILLIAM says:
Okposo gives me hope.
Renny is a class act.
The Rangers are a soul less team and Renny will pay the price for Sathers bumbling. Too bad if another good guy goes down…..SW
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Thrashers win 7-6 in a shootout…..SW
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Strummer's Army says:
Renny really is a class act. That is far differnt then most of the scum the Rangers have hired. Colin Campbell was such a scum bag……well IS STILL. He was a very dirty coach and player.
Glen Sather has not been the GM he was in EDM. Not even close to it. Almost nothing he has done has panned out (not that I’m complaining) but if one of them were to be fired it would be Sather. I believe what made Sather a good GM in EDM was they had so many owners who were deeply involved and a super support structure.
I feel good about the Islanders future.
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Marc from Troy says:
Jeff (19)… If you don’t think this team “has even the seeds to grow into a legitimate contender” then you’re either watching different players than many of us or you’re just one of those who aren’t happy about anything and you can’t see what’s right in front of your face. Nobody is saying this team will be a contender next year or even the year after, but if you’re really looking at some of these players – especially Okposo – and not seeing ANYTHING, then you’re just not paying attention.
And, folks, not everyone who bought a ticket actually has to show up for the game to be called a sellout.
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thepolishprince says:
I’m waiting for Jeff Tambellini to prove me wrong and step up his game big time in the NHL. Honestly I really do want him to be sucessful in a scorer’s role with the big club. it just seems that every glimmer of hope is followed by a prolonged stretch of non performance. Keep trying JT. Hopefully you break out here not somewhere else.
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Keep calling out the “big mouths” who say this isn’t a viable hockey market. We’ll keep supporting you and the team.
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Jim says:
Why even bring up attendance when we all know the Islanders gave away thousands upon thousands of free tickets through the Modell’s giveaway. There are also freebies and discounts all everywhere you look. I would say that yesterday’s game half the crowd was there for free or for less than 20 dollars. Mouthpiece, you simply are unbelieveable!
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It is interesting to hear Mouthpiece say the “you all new this was a rebuilding year, the Isles told you this, there were no expectations, the Isles need three years.” He quotes all the pundits who predicted the Isles for last.
Now this it what Mouthpiece said at the begining of the season about these pudits:
>>>>Botta:So many people have picked the Islanders for 14th or 15th in the East – SI, TSN, ESPN, Dirk from Kukla’s Korner – but I just can’t see it.
A pick of last or next-to-last comes with the implication that, like Los Angeles and Tampa Bay last season, the Islanders will be way out of playoff contention by the trade deadline. Again, that seems foolish.<<
So, we all knew the Isles would be bad. Mothpiece certaintly didn’t.
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OK we get it Jim- you have a ginormous problem with the Islanders doing giveaways or discounts, just like every other team in major sports. A last place team in a busy market playing in one of the oldest arenas in the NHL should never offer any discounts- FINE, thats your opinion. But why give CB crap for mentioning the attendance? I really dont understand what it is that you hope to accomplish with this.
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Terry says:
That ice girls is gorgeous. I’m twice her age. I am going to hell
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Cruicky says:
Terry, funny. Me too. TMC our local kids played very well yesterday. Even Sim stayed out of the way, and the Box.
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Matt Brosseau says:
Terry, Cruicky. I’ll see you in hell. The Ice Girls should become a Long Island institution.
Anyone else headed to MSG tomorrow? If the Isles even go up by a goal early, you’re going to be able to hear “FIRE RENNEY” from Ninth Avenue.
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Dmarie says:
Some people don’t seem to get the fact that we had a horrible year full of set backs from every which way.
This isn’t I dream of Genie, we can’t blink and have all right with the team.
Its been repeatedly said, this team will not shape into a contending team for a few seasons, and I know, believe me I know this team hasn’t shown itself or shown up for sometime now,I’ve been a fan since the late 70′s but again throw in all the set backs its faced, that being said, now take a look at what’s trying to take place and try to understand as a fan it had to get worse before it got better just like most things in life.
Everyone’s entitled to his or her opinion, but as fans we all want the same thing in the end, to see a team get a spot in the playoffs, maybe win a CUP.
Before that can happen we need to build a team that can handle and perform an play Gordon’s style, which I believe is what Snow an Gordon are trying to accomplish, all good things come to those who wait, the Islanders will one day be back on track. -
Dan from Westchester says:
Let me get this straight – because there were discounts or giveaways a big crowd isn’t legit?? Please – you still have to WANT to come to the event to show up.
If someone is giving me freebies or discount tickets to the ballet, I’m not going. Simple as that.
You really can’t question the fact that if this team ever puts a winning product on the ice again – they will come. The fanbase exists.
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Just because you give away tickets, does not mean that you have not generated revenue. People with free tickets tend to purchase food and other stuff. Generally free tickets can turn into a good revenue for the team. Good move Charlie.
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That ice girls is definitely gorgeous. I’m three times her age, but I’m NOT going to Hell!!!!!!!!
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#37, problem is that the Isles don’t make any money from food at the games. Part of the terrible lease.
Also, When talking about Dustin Brown, Im not saying Okposo should be near what he is at this point. Brown is 24 and mature for his age. They got rid of Avery for many reasons but one being that he made fun of Brown for speaking with a lisp. Class Act.
Brown in his first 30 games of his career only had 5 points so Okposo will be fine.
I was just saying that as an on ice leader, Brown does it the right way.
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Rich says:
Nick, I am half sorry I started Sir William on his Lighthouse rant yesterday. AFter reading the comments I found out I wasn’t sorry at all. If it truly is High Rise apartments and ruining the suburbs that takes Isle fans to reject the project then we are in for a real fight. When the economic or environmental review is finished, won’t this give new cannon fodder to all the fence sitters? I am sure Newsday will run a full page headline —”Lighthouse Project Doomed” and stating that the Canadian Geese migratory patterns will be altered by a few hundred square acres of cement. I don’t understand how anyone can be a true Islander fan and want them to leave the Island or the location. The essence of being an Islander fan is the fact that they do play in our own backyard and are one of the only professional franchises in any sport to play outside of a city. They represent a region (a beautiful suburb if you will).
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BeatleBailey says:
that dude behind the ice girl looks like a pimp…just sayin
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I’m close enough to the ice girl’s age that I’ll just try to get a phone number.
Rich – don’t apologize, but trust me, I’ve also been to all the public hearings about this project. Sir William is entitled to his opinion, but he speaks for himself.
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Nick can you tell me when the next public hearing may be? Also are there any upcoming deadlines for the reviews to be finished? The website probably has some info but I think if you could offer insight here it may give alot of fans perspective. thx
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JPinVA says:
I, personally, love the colley. Great sight lines and usually a great atmosphere. It’s tough to get people from the city there in time for a game which limits your market somewhat. I don’t doubt that they can fill it every night with a winner.
Maybe the biggest argument against the coliseum in general is that (as reported HERE) even if they sell out every game THEY MAY STILL LOSE MONEY.
The team has been at the bottom of the NHL attendance stats for at least 5 years (as reported by ESPN).
My biggest issue is that THE TEAM will still lose money even if they get 16,900 every night. I didn’t make that up. I read it HERE.
That being said, will THAT remain the same after the LH project is done. Because if Wang makes money, but the Isles lose money, that is not a healthy franchise. If that is not true, then Viva Il Casa Luz!-Sincerely,
One Big Mouth -
jonsson3 says:
Did Comrie play?
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JP – for the last time, the lease will be re-structured.
Rich – no info right now, will pass it along as soon as it’s available. Meanwhile, click my name for the next proximal thing you can do.
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TuxTax says:
Jonsson – Comrie the energy leech played but the only thing associated with his name was “weak clearing attempt by Comrie” and “Comrie’s loses the puck on the boards…” the guy has to go man, time to cut the dead weight, he is bringing zero positives to the growth of the team(as far as I as a fan can see). And we need to give up on this veteran leadership crappola, I feel more confidence and excitement when Okposo, Bailey and Comeau are on the ice rather than Guerin, Duff and Sim.
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Tom says:
CB regarding the viability of the Islanders on LI…the #1 big mouth is Charlie Wang. Never forget that. The Islander organization has stated in no uncertain terms, with “just” a new arena & a new lease the Islanders CANNOT be a viable franchise on LI. These are Charlie’s words, verbally & in his inaction. Charlie Wang believes the Isles can’t make a profit as a stand alone entity. HE feels the Isles need to be surrounded by 16 acres of The Neverwang Ranch.
You need to send this blog entry to Charlie. Tell him to stop holding the construction of the new arena “hostage” along w/us the fans. Because as you so stated– a sell-out crowd, tons of people lining-up a 1/2 hour after the games…you are preaching to the choir. Charlie thinks the Islanders can’t make money on their own. That’s why he has no intention of refurbishing the new arena as a stand alone project. The Islander aren’t worth it. According to him, spending money on a new arena alone is stupid. The Isles can’t make enough dough without The Neverwang Ranch.
Why can’t Wang construct the new arena NOW? Still continue to work on the perifory development & just get going on the new arena? Why can’t he do that? IMHO, it’s because HE believes that Long Island is not a viable location for the Isles.
IMHO, Charles Wang isn’t about the Islanders and he isn’t about hockey. Charles Wang is about two things; Real Estate development and Charles Wang.
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Tom – this has been talked to FREAKING DEATH. There is no hope for you if you still don’t get it.
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Hey Tom, would you lose millions upon million of dollars of your own money for a decade on something that you did not believe in? Also, this is a professional sports franchise, he does not need to defend the fact that the reason he bought the team was because he thought he could make money on the team…thats the whole idea behind owning a sports franchise…If the Lighthouse project is what it takes to keep the Islanders around then I am all for it!
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Nick I GET IT. I TOTALLY GET it.
Long Island is NOT a viable place for the Islanders w/out the Hub. I GET IT.
IF you actually read my post in it’s entirety you would GET IT as well.
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doc says:
TOM:
You’ve completely mis-read Mr. Wang.Yes, he wants to make money… to think otherwise is foolish. But the man has been willing to LOSE more money on the Islanders in the last 9 years than all of us bloggers will accumulate in a lifetime.
That is passion for both the Long Islanders (residents and fans alike) and THE ISLANDERS organization that he professes his fondness for.
Why shouldn’t the man make a buck while doing something he likes… don’t you???
If he just wanted real estate… he could be buying up land in other parts of the country that will someday be booming suburbs… with a lot less headache, beuracracy(sp), political stalemates etc.
DOC
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Nick, if he doesn’t “get it” then maybe you should be putting in the time into helping him get it since you are an ambassador of the project for lack of a better term.
I know it can be frustrating because you have talked about it and you work very hard and care so much, but you shut people out with responses like that.
In a way, you are giving up on Tom and the project needs everyone on board.
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(49): Nick Classic is right, as usual.
BTW whats with all this 16,900 stuff? NVMC has 16,234 Hockey seats.
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316 – as usual you’re pretty right about that. I need to stop posting while doped-up on cold medicine.
It’s frustrating that we’ve discussed this ad nauseam in practically every Lighthouse related post and people still insist on bringing it up. OK, deep breath…Tom, this is the reasoning here:
Charles Wang is not saying Long Island is not a viable hockey market at all. When you have a choking lease and a government that is (rightly) not willing to spend money on a new facility, your only option is to develop the land around the Coliseum to recoup your investment. If anything, the Town of Hempstead is trying to hold Charles Wang hostage because they’re asking him to give up his only leverage and then, maybe, they’ll get around to debating methods for him to actually make back his money. When you spend $400 million, you want some assurance that you can get it back.
This explains it as best I can:
http://lettherebelighthouse.blogspot.com/2009/01/coliseum-as-loss-leader.html -
isles316 (53): Tom does not WANT to hear what Nick has to say. You cannot possibly help elighten someone who believes he knows more than everyone else… and that is not Nicks fault.
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Charles Wang has EVERY right to make a buck! Sell the team to a KC buyer or to a Queens buyer. He’ll make a buck. The Hub ain’t getting done in it’s present form, the Isles can’t make $$$ as a stand alone project. Poop or get off the pot.
I want Wang to make money. Nothing would make me happier than seeing Wang wealthy. I don’t like the fact he’s been struggling financially, my heart goes out to him.
But at the same time, he’s got to wake & realize he’s inept at selling his story of the Hub. Nobody is buying it. He’s owned the team 9 years, what started out as “the Isles need skyboxes & a state of the art arena with a fair lease to be viable’ has ballooned into “I need to surround the Isles with billions of dollars of other construction projects for the Isles to viable.”
Hey I want Wang to make money. I also want the Isles to win. Neither can happen at the same time. He’s got to face reality & so do we as fans.
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I know I went over the 4 post guideline so this will be it. I’m not in anyway placing blame or fault on Nick. The guy cares more about this than just about anyone. All I’m saying is that although it’s frustrating to beat a dead horse on certain aspects, Nick has put himself into a position where he might have to do that to get as many people on board as he can fully understanding the situation.
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Nassau County Long Island, the ones who own the property, had its choice of whatever type of area revision they wanted. THEY CHOSE THIS PLAN. Why do you ignore that and pretend that charles Wang is shoving up their unwilling noses???
UGH. There is just no talking to this guy.
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IMAGINE THE CROWD IF THEY WERE IN 29TH!
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bcarey says:
was it just me, or has that center ice logo started to look a bit more royal than navy? any word on using the retro full-time?
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DanNOLA says:
Man, do I hope that we win tomorrow. I may be petty, but watching the Rangers struggle has been very entertaining. It would be great to watch KO make their lovely fans want to jump off bridges.
As far as giving tickets away is concerned, it happenes in almost every arena that doesn’t have corporations buy the majority of the season tickets. And those corporations that do buy tickets usually just give those tickets away to clients, etc anyhow. I don’t see why that is much of an issue. It isn’t nearly as bad as what was alledgedly going on in Nashville where the owners were buying the tickets themselves to get over the 14,000 avg mark.
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Mark3454 says:
Is this guy serious? Hey Tom,,REALLY? Everyone is telling you the sky is blue. They are giving you sound reasons, facts, and pictures that show and describe exactly why the sky is blue. And here you are, one person running around screaming his head off that, “Hey you’re all wrong, look, the sky is orange, can’t you see that”? You do not seem to understand the facts and keep basing your opinions on wild conspiracy theories that you’ve made up in your head. Where are your facts that back up your theories of Wangs true intentions?
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I hope we win tomorrow — and I hope the Rangers retain Sather, because I love what he’s done with their club, hee hee.
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jim @ 30:what did you expect chris to say? hey guys watch out the isles are going to go on a winning streak to come back in the playoffs? no he tells the truth and you call him out. your just out to get him, so stop. its pretty weak.
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Metal(59),
With all due respect, how much consideration do you think other developers got when the CORE TEMANT had a bid in.
I’m just speculating (like everybody else).
Please feel free to give me the “Jane, you ignorant slut” response that Nick usually provides. My day would not be complete…
Mark(63),
For more than 15 years the owners of the NY Islanders have been trying to use their team as leverage to develop that property. Different tactics have been used, but still the land is basically baron. Tom has a point.
I think we’d all like to see the LH project in some form or another.
What I see is the one thing that keeps getting squeezed is the team. The Islanders and their fans suffer… whether they are on the bandwagon or not.
There is no reason for this team to be on a shoestring budget. They can sellout on a Monday afternoon… They have the fans. They have the capital.
If they restructured the lease so Charles could make money tomorrow, then I’d believe in all the hoo-haw.
I’d bet the county and the town would just like to see the Islanders go away… or just rebuild the coliseum so they don’t have to have their ribbon cuting photo-op from inside a federal pen.
The whole thing just wreaks of corruption. -
JP, you ignorant slut…(I couldn’t resist after the setup)
Seriously – and I know I’m over on this thread so I’m done after this…I think you have it all wrong. Previous owners, especially Gluckstern/Milstein, did hold the team hostage. How they managed to demand a public handout for the Coliseum and in the same breath bid $800 million for the Redskins will never make sense to me. However, I don’t think you’re correct to blame current ownership for the mistakes of previous ownership groups. We had a competitive payroll for years, with guys like Yashin, Peca, Hamrlik, Aucoin, Osgood, et al. This rebuild was necessary; I don’t see how it’s Wang’s fault that guys like Drury, Gomez, and Smyth didn’t want his money.
As I said to SW in a past thread, I believe your logic is just misplaced here. This team is more than 2-3 players away from being a serious contender, so why would we overpay for marginal free agents so we’re good enough to draft 11th overall? I think there’s no reason to spend money that won’t lead to this team contending for a Cup – and believe me, I’d be first in line to criticize if they had a chance to acquire a missing piece in 2-3 years and didn’t do it. I don’t buy we’ve been rebuilding since 1993 because previous regimes haven’t had the patience to stick with it…and if Wang is so cheap why has the scouting staff improved so dramatically over the last few years?
As for the lease, let’s not forget SMG is a party here. We may not like them, we may think they’re killing the team, but they’re not likely to just up and walk away from the lease without a fight.
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Conspiracy theories? No, there are no conspiracy theories. Wang wants to build a Neverwang Ranch & the TOH doesn’t seem to want to approve it. No conspiracy theory at all. I’m just calling for a Plan B.
A former fill-in blogger for Pointblank is saying Wang may, may be working on something with Bob Gutkowski. Gutkowski is local, loves hockey, wanted to buy the Isles big time before Wang stepped in, maybe Gutkowski buys them keeps them in NY, takes the team a few miles west to Queens & the Isles can finally rejoin the NHL.
My only opinion I have is Charles Wang is a lousy owner. I couldn’t care less he’s losing $20 million a year. Not my problem. Charlie can drop $20 million on a blackjack table in AC, neither know it NOR miss it. Don’t cry poverty to me. I rate owners on wins & losses.
In this economy we all have to live without. Charlie’s gonna live without my sympathy and I’m gonna live without Islander success.
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Tom, the TOH doesnt HAVE to “approve it”. The have nothing to DO with “approving it”. you need to learn the real deal on these things. The facts are out there, you need to pay attention to them instead of the blah blah from people who dont know what they are talking about.
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It was already approved by the owners of the land and the arena- which FYI is not the TOH.
I really think you need to check out the lettherebelighthouse blogspot. Myths aboutnd, and they need to be busted!!!
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Oh Chickie PLEASE. I used the wrong word. I understand Nassau approved this. Bottom line, whatever it is, whatever word YOU want to use that the TOH needs to do, whatever the hell you want to call it. It ain’t happening.
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Tom, so you are saying right here, “bottom line” that there is no way that the TOH submits the Environmental Impact Statement and moves on to the public review. It “aint happning” according to you.
Well I went to the town meetings, I read up on whats going on, I communicate with my representatives, and I believe you are wrong. I do not believe that my representatives are lying to me and anyone else who cares to get informed on this subject. I say that the TOH WILL hand in the Environmental Impact Statement… because that is whats been being worked on for the last 8-9 months! You think they are joking about workking on it? Sure we all oped it would be by January, but just because it didnt come out in January you are certain that it is not coming at ALL? And that is based on what- facts? Evidence? Or nothing but unyeilding pessimism?
I feel in my heart that they will not let the hockey season end without moving on to the next step in the process. But we will see who is right on this one, wont we!
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PruBelongsOnTheIce says:
“If you want to know one of the many by-products of answering questions honestly, looking people in the eye and treating everyone with respect, all you have to do is look at Tom Renney.”
Why don’t you tell that to Petr Prucha and the Rangers fans?
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Is Comrie still on the team?
nice picture of denny, i brought my kids to the “core of 4″ last year, told them who all these great guys were and what they meant to the organization,but chris you know what that game wasn’t sold out.