SNY “ISLANDERS INTERACTIVE” WEEK: Episode 1
On Tavares and Nielsen, arena debate, next MVP
This is the first of four short segments that will be posted this week. Brian Compton, the SNY crew and I hope you enjoy. Comments on the subjects discussed are welcomed.
61 Responses to SNY “ISLANDERS INTERACTIVE” WEEK: Episode 1
On Tavares and Nielsen, arena debate, next MVP
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voter says:
I don’t blame JT for waiting to see what really happens with the arena. I’m sure KO and Grabs know they had to say that stuff about “the new arena” because the team made them. There is no new arena yet. That’s why we have to get behind the vote in a big way.
I also don’t blame CB for saying he wants to vote yes and but can’t say yet what his vote is because we don’t have any details. He’s right. Hopefully we’ll have them this week. Mid-June right?
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joe b says:
Islanders talk show on a Sunday in June…thank you!!!
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Eric N. says:
If the cost to a Nassau County householdis the approximate $50 per year max if Wang repays nothing, in my opinion, if you are an Islander fan you just vote yes. Doesn’t sound like a lot of money to keep your team local. I understand why non-Islander fans would need those details. But not anyone who considers themselves a fan of this team.
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IslesNC says:
There seems to be some debate as to whether Nielsen is a legit no. 2 center. He’s not a classic play-making center, but he and Grabner were +13 last year on a team that was -35 overall. The ultimate aim is to outscore your opponents when you are on the ice, not rack up points without worrying how many you allow, so I would say they were the Isle’s best line last year (and also faced the opponent’s best players). Frans’ excellent defensive skills, and Grabner’s speed, make them very tough to play against. As CB states, I hope the Isles will lock up Frans soon (hopefully for 3-4 years) and keep him paired with Grabner for at least a few years.
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admin says:
That’s the point, Eric. Neither you or anyone else knows what the deal is or what the cost to the taxpayers will REALLY be – $50 bucks, a lot more or not one penny. If the deal is only going to cost what you suggest, then yes – I would think all Islanders fans would agree with you. But we don’t know that and it’s way too early to tell people what they should think about a deal that hasn’t been explained yet in complete (or any) detail…CB
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Bassen says:
How did we get from Wang being a corrupt moron who doesn’t care about the Islanders or the fans to blind loyalty to supporting everything he wants? Was it when he finally fired his best friend Mike Milbury after rubbing his friendship in our faces for 6 years? Was it when he put together the most inexperienced hockey staff in the history of the NHL? Or maybe it was when the Islanders went from last to 26th to 27th place over the last 3 seasons.
Eric and some of you other guys (kids, maybe?) are unbelievable. I want to support keeping the Islanders here, but unlike you I’m not going to support everything that gives Wang everything he wants.
Is every Islander fan this blind and incapable of separating their love for the team from their ability to think clearly about real life issues? Like Botta said, wait to hear until the details are actually made transparent.
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streit02 says:
CB, That was a really interesting point you made regarding Tavares’ contract and the Isles saying we’re going to lose a player like this. What are the rules with negotiating contracts? If you have someone signed for 3 years would you technically be able to hammer out another deal at the end of the 1st year of that deal? So the new deal for say, 2 more years would start at the end of the original contract. (just for arguments sake). Anyone?
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Bassen: Wang’s been trying to get a new arena for this team since he’s gotten here. He loses millions upon millions every year and has been getting jerked around by politicians from the start. Correct me if im wrong, but Wang hasnt gotten anything at all so far. In defense to Eric, he used the word “if” in the beginning of his statement.
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Strummer's Army says:
No one can paint Wang as the bad guy in this arena mess. At no point has he ever been the bad guy in this situation. The powers at be have bled Charles of a fortune with their stall tactics. Charles does not own the NVMC the county does but the county is so broke Charles has to spend more of his money to make it operational. Any improvements you have seen in it have been only because of Charles because the county is so broke they cannot afford to live up to their responsibilities, that is why their finances are now overseen by a group.
Thanks for this CB, looking forward to the rest.
Tavares will score way more then 70 points if you get Parenteau of his line. Nino would be much better but so would just about anyone else.
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Ray says:
Always love these video’s. CB its amazing how natural you have become on camera, you and Compton do a great job. Keep up the great work guys. Lets go Islanders
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Chris,
I don’t disagree that if there is a chance this could cost each Nassau county household significantly more, that would change the ease with which all islander fans should just vote yes. However, I have yet to read one artile, editorial or other story claiming the cost would be higher and my understanding is this is the cost if the tax payers end up paying 100 percent. My point being, it seems to be a worse case scenario and not effected by the details we are all waiting for. I would think if this point could be credibly attacked, it would have already, as we have seen the county democratic opposition is pushing back where they can.
Bassen, I never claimed or though Wang was corrupt. Certainly I question some of his decisions (Milbury, Yaskin and DP contracts as examples) but the man has lost close to, if not more than, he spent to buy the franchise. He has far from obtained everything he wanted. In my opinion, he is a franchise owner caught in a near impossible situation due to politics in Nassau County. And but for Wang, I share the opinion of many others that this team already would be gone were it not for him.
In any event, I’m not saying I think the details are unimportant. Just saying that until I hear even an argument that the worst case scenario is higher than $50 per year per NC household, if you consider yourself a real Islander fan, that is an easy yes vote. At least in my opinion. -
Lean Cugine says:
Hey CB, just curious, are there some players who follow this site and the videos, no names of course but just wondering if you knew of any?
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JKP on LI says:
It is kind of funny that the consensus on this board shifts from “Wang is a joke! He’s destroying the franchise!” to “Give Wang all the taxpayer money he wants! He’s saving the franchise!”
Chris is right to want to hear all the details. I’m generally opposed to corporate welfare stuff, but if the worst case scenario is that it costs relatively little, and that it’s a property tax that mostly hits rich people rather than a sales tax that hits the middle class and poor, then I’d at least consider it.
Of course, I live in Suffolk, so if you guys want go ahead and vote yes without the details, go for it! It keeps the team here and doesn’t cost me anything.
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The New Isles GM says:
Botta,
Love what you do for Isles fans, but regardless of what information is released, I still think your going to vote YES on Aug.1
After all that we’ve been through, as bloggers and posters and daily readers, that would only serve as the icing on the cake for you to help the Islanders stay in Nassau.
The video was great, glad your going to release more of these this week, because 10 minutes is just not enough of Islanders hockey on a Sunday in June! Keep em coming CB.
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DAVHYZOWSKI says:
I am still curious. Wang was intially gonna pay and invest ALOT more money into the deal without costing tax payers money. Why isn’t he investing for the whole thing on a much lesser scale. Why did he switch to a bond, which now puts them at the mercy of NIFA?
If he would have paid for it himself wouldn’t this have been a slam dunk? I know its not our money to say, but he WAS going to do it anyway on a much larger scale… Anyone? -
I suspect that Wang knows that the arena won’t make him much money compared to the full Lighthouse project, and he either doesn’t want to risk it (if we’re being generous) or he wants the taxpayer money because he knows the arena won’t be that profitable (if we’re being cynical).
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SCLI says:
I really enjoy all the PB TV segments. This one really brightened up a rather lackluster Sunday Afternoon. Draft Day and opening of the Free Agent market cant come soon enough. The wait is agonizing.
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Great info Brian and CB, this has to pass or else we will be moving to Quebec, they already have an arena waiting..Queens is more than likely no longer an option with the Wilpon’s Madoff mess. I think you sign Frans for 5 yrs easy…guy is a solid two way Center.
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Bobby N says:
Quebec isnt the worst place to move! When you watch the finals, every period is won by the harder hitting team–its all they talk about! So, we let Z go? Ugh.
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At the end of the day, do you really think Wang & company are drawing up a scenario in which the county will have tax payers at their mercy if funds aren’t large enough? Why would they waste their time? We shall see
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#17 DAVHYZOWSKI
It has been stated numerous times. Wang was going to INVEST in the Lighthouse project, he designed the Lighthouse Project based on what the town wanted. He would take the risk and invest all that money in the LI project because he had a chance to earn it back and would be the owner of those portions. He may have lost his shirt too. With the arena alone he has ZERO chance of earning back his investment and would still not be the arena owner. He’s already paid more then enough of the county’s bills that they couldn’t afford to. If I were him I’d have gotten fed up and left a long time ago. He doesn’t need to lose more of is money. It is the county who is responsible for the arena and HE IS STILL GOING TO END UP PAYING FOR A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF BUILDING OF THE ARENA VIA THE AGREEMENT THEY WILL SIGN via revenue generated from the arena, concessions, etc that will be paid to the bond.
LI has had two sweet deals on the table for a new arena at little or no cost, hope they take one. I can tell you many cities in Florida would have jumped at the two offers. Hope that explains it.
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This is a political fiasco. Everyone has to vote yes. I agree that Mangano and Wang need to release full details on their plan, this way, there are no gray areas, and most people will vote yes. There are always concerns when dealing with T.O.H. They seem incapable of progress. I am also concerned about Nifa. Where were they during the lighthouse proposal? Who will pop up next, SAP (seniors against progress)!?! If this vote passes, and Nifa is setting an obstacle course without reason, then we need to seek a higher level of government to approve it. The legwork should be done now, just in case! Life without my N.Y. Islanders would be totally unbearable. No reason why clearer heads can’t prevail and get this done already!
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Al L says:
Firstly,#20,being the centerpiece of a development project at Willets Point,has absolutely nothing to do with The Wilpons,unless Fred or Jeff want to partner with Charles. In all probability,in the long run,Wang would stand to make millions more in a Queens Hub than Nassau County.
Regarding sharing an annual $48 fee per household,non-hockey fan residents should stop and think of their future property tax consequences should an enoromous County revenue hole be left where an entertainment venue once stood. Pay the $48 and shut up. As a matter of fact,in time your Real Estate taxes may actually be rebated for a very long time,care of Coliseum future profits.
All this being said,Mangano and the proponents of this project had better be clear and precise of its workings and effect,if any it will have on its revenue sharing partners,you the resident. You can bet,given any nook or cranny,Marlin and his NIFA group are going to jump on it like a cat in heat. I appeal to Mr Wang and Mangano!! Be clear and get this done!!!!! -
As side note,Charles, unconditionally guarantee the damn cost of the August 1st voting! Not doing so may infact become one of those nooks and cranny’s NIFA is looking for.
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Brian G says:
Sign Frans to 4 years 8 mil
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gary says:
Just saw this morning(sunday) on Fox a report on the arena–Was negative with Nassau financial problems that they are issuing $400 million in more debt–Report centered on when the deal is done for the arena, the owner is going to sell team as it creates hundreds of millions more in value for him to sell—Nothing on the owner wanting to foot the entire bill originally but being turned down due to politics
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Turgeon1993 says:
Some of you raise a really good point. I can see why Wang has no respect for the big Islander fans, especially season ticket holders like myself.
I’ve been told by my ticket reps that Wang always thumbs his noses at people like me and says things like, “Those fools are the least of our problems. They’re always coming back.”
I see the blind support for his arena deal here here and on other boards and I understand why he laughs at the fans.
He has got plenty of applause from CB and other media for saving the franchise but that was 11 years ago. Now he’s burned it to the ground. They were selling $120 tickets for $20 last year. It doesn’t get any more pathetic than that.
Let’s not think everything is so great just cause he signed Grabner and Okposo. If you noticed, the big money kicks in not until either Wang has dumped the team or he got his arena from public funds. For me, Wang is going to have to do a lot more than that to see him as a savior anymore.
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Steven K says:
I just wanted to say thank you to Brian Compton for being part of these videos. He does a really great job and has good chemistry with CB because they don’t always agree on everything but you can tell there’s mutual respect. I hope this experience leads to more work for Brian at NHL.com and the NHL Network.
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nhl80 says:
Chris – you WILL vote yes when the details come out. I hope you will make that official with a blog post since you always try to tell us everything on your mind in this blog. Right?
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Billy the Kid says:
Chris, I exppect you meant to say that Tavares will score 80 points (or even 90) not the 70 you mentioned.
I think he will be able to score well over 3 points more than this year (67) just by lessening the length of the 20 game losing streak the team had (and his own slump during that time).
80-85 for JT this year.GO Isles!!
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admin says:
(32) BtK: You are right. I expect he’ll score more than 70, but my point is that if he scores at least 70 points he will be the team’s MVP in 2011-12 over Streit (Brian’s pick) and anyone else…CB
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CB, why the heck didn’t Murray tell Wang that his Lighthouse proposal was something far larger than Hempstead would ever approve? Why drag this out for years and then respond to Wang with an apparent approval for an unworkable 25-30% of the Lighthouse? Who negotiates like that?
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David in Lynbrook says:
Really enjoyable segment. 2 million a year for Frans for 4 or 5 years should get it done especially if he really wants to stay here like you say in the show that he does. He’s a well-respected player but somewhere between a 2nd and 3rd line player. I don’t think he’d get more than $10 million on the open market. The Islanders can give him a 5th year like they gave the others. The one thing his agent can push for is a deal equal to Okposo’s. KO got 2.8 a year and hasn’t done much yet and is coming off a so0so half a season.
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On Neilsen, is a 40-point/year center enough for the 2nd line? Could Nino join Frans and Grabner to add some more offense, since Okposo’s shot % seems to be heading in the wrong direction year by year?
On the new arena, given the Isles current financial difficulties, it’s hard to see how a $350 million building can be financed (there’s that pesky matter of paying annual interest on bonds) solely by the expected uptick in team revenue. Charles might have to break out the check book to reduce the overall size of the bonding, as well as put himself on the hook for cost overruns (which will almost certainly occur). If he does so, hopefully he can negotiate a better deal on sharing revenue with Nassau.
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interesting how plan b for isles coming to queens if arena deal falls thru wont happen because of the wilpons having no money but how come there is talk they have money for a new team to be put in queens to compete with the red bulls? if the arena deal falls through and the isles dont move to queens or brooklyn, you can be sure wang will sell to the highest bidder not caring if the isles leave ny or not. i give credit to the buffalo owner who sold the team for less money to a new owner to keep the team in buffalo. you can be sure that wang who doesnt give a damm about the fans and treats us like garbage will sell to anyone who gives him the most money regardless where the isles would now play. however living in queens, i wasnt asked to vote if i wanted a new yankee stadium or a new ebbets field or a new brooklyn arena. why does nassau have to vote and we didnt? interesting thought if the isles leave ny.
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sean says:
I am a suffolk resident and obviously have no say in the arena vote. To be honest it does not look good right now because NIFA has a big say in the bond even if the vote passes. Maybe queens or Brooklyn maybe other options. In the long run I hope it all works out.
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nova says:
Before it gets to NIFA, the next hurdle will be after the Islanders and Mangano announce the deal. Unless its the greatest deal ever for Nassau and the taxpayers, that Aug. 1 referendum is going to be delayed because someone is going to take them to court. Spending $2 million on a non-binding referedum (since Wang was dumb to offer to only pay for it if he wins) is illegal. I think it’s going to be proven a sham, which is what I was worried about when the Islanders hosted that shame of a press conference last month.
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walsh says:
Great point CB about Wang taking his time to sign Tavares. He can blame JT thinking about leaving on Kate Murray and the rest of the politicians. Like you said, if Tavares signs for 5 years today, he doesn’t have that important argument anymore.
And nobody could blame JT for not signing here without a guarantee of the franchise’s future. I don’t blame Grabner and Okposo for taking the money and running.
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Robert #37! You like #20 are linking any possibility of the Islanders being the centerpeice of a Willets Point Hub to The Wilpons? Why? In all probability,they will have nothing to do with the Islanders relocating there. Keep in mind,Charles was a Queens College grad and has roots in one of the five boros also.
Who’s to say if push came to shove he would even blink moving 10-15 miles west? You can bet the borough of Queens would welcome he and the Isles and do everything possible to make it happen.
If it comes to that,the economic state of Nassau County will be in dire straights and the after shock may be felt in Suffolk. I would feel most for the hard working residents of Nassau County,who’s property tax burden would increase significantly in short order!
This must get done. The survival of greater LI may depend on retaining the Islanders and economically developing the surrounding area. -
vrinqueens says:
Al, Brooklyn and the Barclays Center would be more realistic it’s slated to be open in 2012/13 season with the Nets and having another team there 41 nights would be ideal for them.
The rivalry with the Rangers would be taken to another level, they would have instant credibility with the Press and they would be contenders for the elite UFA’s, watch out for Brooklyn if this deal falls through. -
Bob E says:
Nielsen is way more important and valuable then moulson. His +\- say it all along with his sh goals. If Nielsen puts in 20 goals he is no doubt next years selke winner.
As fit vote. I’m a yes. Stop livin in past. Don’t blame Wang. He was ignorant owner when he bought time. He actually thought mil bury knew what he was doin. We all make mistakes. Just took him a little too long to realize it.
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Didnt Murray state a new zoning change proposal was coming out by the TOH for the arena and surrounding area? What happenned??
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Riles44 says:
Option 2 hasn’t been brought up at all yet. Rumor has it that if the new arena deal gets shot down by the voters on Aug 1st or by NIFA, Mangano is going to pull an end around and move the Shinnecock Casino from Belmont Raceway to the Coliseum location. In that instance, they don’t need voter approval, and NIFA would have no say. A ne coliseum would get built along with the casino, and we would see less tax money coming back from the Shinnecocks.
Why do you think that the Hofstra Board is 100% behind the latest proposal? The last thing they want is a casino right next door.
Just vote YES!
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I can’t blame Wang if he moves the team, I not a big fan of the guy but the islanders would have been gone already if he had not bought the team in 2000. Nassau county is a county of no and political bs. If this fails watch the county lose more money with no team or revenue to collect from an empty arena. I personally would stick it up nassau and its residents a** if I were Wang.
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Stumpy32 says:
Maybe I’m missing something, but if Wang says explicitly that he’ll take on the risk if the bond is not paid back over X amount of years, wouldn’t that negate the need for NIFA to be involved, and therefore make the Aug 1st vote a final referendum on whether to put a shovel in the ground on Aug 2nd, or soon thereafter?
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I am fine with the Islanders moving to anywhere I can get to within an hour. Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Brooklyn, or even C.T.(as a last ditch). The best place for them would be by Belmont. I really think they have a better chance to stay by doing business with the Shinecoks rather than the politicians in Hemp. I was there yesterday. There is an awful lot of empty land that could fit a new coli. We know they are already building a casino. As soon as I walked in I was handed a brochure. I bet on ruler on ice… solely for my love of the Isles. The horse won! I think it’s fate!
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JHD says:
CB- I see various comments about the Barclays Center in Brooklyn as being an option in 2015 if the new coliseum plans fall through. One rumor is that the building specs are such that hockey can not be played at the facility. Even if the building can host hockey, would the NHL allow the Isles to move that close to MSG. Can you please clarify whether Brooklyn is a plausible option?
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Ethan K says:
Good segment… where’s the next one?!?! I need something to watch right now at work lol
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93 Miracle says:
#29 if that is true why would an ISLANDER ticket rep tell you that wang bashes the die hard fan? I think Tavares gets 36 goals 52 asssists next season. Remember he barely had any assists over the first 40% of the season because of that 20 game slide. The kid can pass the puck as you saw the 2nd half of the season with 38 assists. He could of definitely had 45 assists if not for that 20 game slide when nobody at all was scoring. THis year you will see that Tavares can put up a lot of assists in this league for a long time.
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Jeff from Smithtown says:
Guys thanks for taking my question.
Wangano must hammer home the savings to all tax payers for getting this built.Here is an example (with a few assumptions)
3300 unemployed workers are now working
and off Unemployment. Assuming they would/could collect the max of $400 per week for 99 Weeks
3300x$400×99=$130,680,000 that would not have to be paid out in Unemployment Comp.
That is approx 1/3 of the total cost of the project. The politicians should be begging for this thing to get built. This is just one example from an idiot bored at work.
Wangano I am sure your bean counters are smarter than me and can come up with much better examples -hammer this home!!!!!!!!! -
Steve says:
Good segment Chris and Brian. For once I believe Mangano and Wang that the team is gone if this doesn’t pass. Brooklyn and Queens are both pipe dreams. Barclays isn’t being built per NHL standards and Bettman already has ruled it out and Queens would involve Wang paying for the entire project himself. I have serious doubts he would do that now after all these years of losing money. Pass the referendum by a landslide like the 2 of you say and the county legislature and NIFA won’t block it but it would be nice to finally know what this “plan” is all about. Can’t keep us in the dark too much longer or the opposition will start to develop even more than it has.
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Dave says:
You two complement each other so well. great show.
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To JHD, #49:
NYT:
In 1972, when the Islanders joined the N.H.L., the $4.5 million territorial fee they paid the Rangers gave them the right to occupy only Nassau County. But a 1986 amendment to the agreement allowed the Islanders to move to Queens and Brooklyn, and within Nassau and Suffolk counties. -
Glens says:
Yes I agree they MUST release the $$$$$ and the plans to those that can vote. I think if they do that then it would pass by a land slide.Yess I agree I don’t think the Nets new arena is being built with hockey in mind let alone the refrigeration or the ice. I went on the arena’s web site and now where does it mention anything about hockey (ice shows). So IMHO I don’t think BLKLN is an option, although that could change in one quick summer and a little construction. At this point lets just get the DAM thing done.I wish I could vote but as I live in Suffolk county,but if I could I’d vote YES as long as the $$$ are well spelled out and taxes aren’t going to rise much more $ 100.00 per household cause in the end keeping that revenue source (NVMC) where it is will keep bringing $$$ between hockey concerts and so on. You lose the team you lose $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$..
End of story, so lets go Nassau county get something right just this one time.And that isn’t directed at resident’s it’s directed at the politicions the one’s that have held this up for 10 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LETS GO ISLANDERS….. -
Glens, I went on Barclays Center site also. Read about the venue. Although as you stated they dont mention Hockey per say. You do need a rink to perform Ice shows. Any Ice show I’ve ever come across needs room to perform. I really cant see these developers spending 800k and not having the option to play hockey in this arena sometime in the future. Everyone of the seats at and around court level is mobile. Although I’m not 100% sure. I bet that very little construction would be needed if Wang decided to move the Isles into that building. All I’m saying is this. Its an option. I still prefer staying in Nassau.
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Orange&Blue says:
If Nassau County votes it down they should move the team next to the Mets at Willets Point. They have already invited us to come there. If Wang cant stomach a team in Queens, then sell the team. Maybe Einhorn can buy the team since he will be part owner of the Mets? There is no reason for this team to go to Canada or anywhere else. Suffolk has plenty of land to house the Islanders as well.
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I’m pretty certain the issue with the Barclays Center is the size of the space on which it occupies. I live about a 10-15 minute walk from the site, and you need to be there to see how small the intersection of Atlantic and Flatbush affords the arena. If its just basketball, then I would assume you could condense the arena somewhat, and kind of make it a “cake topper” situation rather than pushed further back over a rink. Although, losing ice shows would be kind of dumb…I can’t fathom the revenue the Coliseum probably generates from those Disney/insert new cartoon character on Ice.
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Randy Wood's Porche says:
Please get an intelligent, informed, disinterested attorney on your show to tell the fans how this whole “new arena thing” may play out. Help!
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Bryan says:
Sweet ‘week’
Pumped to see these all this week. I agree that the shorter segments probably work well for those of us at work or school who can’t watch for 20 minutes straight. But I like those too!
My 2011-12 MVP – Tavares
Sign Frans the same way and same time you took care of Moulson. 2 million a year for 5 sounds right.