Ladd sent back to Bridgeport

New York Islander Fan Central | 12/27/2019 05:10:00 PM |


Trotz said it was a Lou decision.

Lamoriello Update: Clutterbuck surgery/Ladd recall

New York Islander Fan Central | 12/21/2019 11:31:00 AM | |


New York Notables

New York Islander Fan Central | 12/19/2019 11:14:00 PM |
One or two recent entries went missing, nothing earth shattering.
Status quo, keep pushing toward 15-20 over, that's how you make the playoffs in this division.
Bend but not break has been working, they allowed eight goals on twenty shots in a game they led 3-1 against a tired, struggling team. Then they won a skills contest against Boston which is encouraging, but you could argue, they played defense better against Nashville given Boston got 29 shots.

Bottom line it has not been last years dominating team, where the opposition praises their hard work. Moving forward maybe some players break out, and that changes. The hope is your team gets stronger later, not weaker. Schedule last two months will be worse than anyone as usual.
As for arena circumstances, Barclay's is outdrawing Nassau as usual with a winning team. It's clear nothing will make LI crew show up like other teams, the revenue won't be there. The articles/spin from LI crew will be filled with the usual misconceptions.
Dolan has his arena, his media will fight anything against it, but really does not have to do anything like 2011, 2013, 2017, when they created a circus to get their way. Ultimately the when fans don't show there will be no more hiding. NHL can't work in a failed suburb, with an ownership that's done all it can to eliminate excuses for younger generation not going to games.

For now the drumbeat continues, everyone knows the numbers. Caps, Canes, Bruins, Pens not going anywhere, teams will get hot on outside, and go up/down. NY will have to get their points, west will be dominated by east besides NYI who have lost major points to the weakest west teams.

Historical site was updated to reflect Tonelli/Goring, some past retirements, banners for the entire core of the four. Prospect site updated with all recent changes to players in juniors.

Nothing to be written about Ho-Sang that Lamoriello did not make clear.

Goring/Tonelli Number Retirements In Feb..

New York Islander Fan Central | 12/18/2019 04:42:00 PM | | | |

Both historical site, and twitter header have been updated.






NYIFC Comments: Long overdue honor for two of many. Question here is teams Hall of Fame Banner, or real number retirements? Bob Bourne, Ken Morrow, and most of core of four merit same treatment. Obviously Lee/Tonelli have too much character to not share the number, and no doubt same would have happened if Tavares were still wearing it here.

Cross Roads For New York

New York Islander Fan Central | 11/30/2019 02:44:00 PM |

Long story short, forgetting the record, we have not seen the NYI of 2018-19 other NHL franchises were outworked by, sometimes handily to the point everyone was astonished how easy some games were.

It's a simple question, but how many games win or lose does Washington, Carolina, Florida, Boston not show up, and work hard? Very few if any. That's not happening with 2019-20 New York Islanders, and it's where they need to be to win head to head, or an 82 game race for playoff spots vs those franchises.

Expect a lot of teams to break their slumps (Toronto will blame everything on Babcock) with Tampa, and others will go on big winning streaks. There is no hiding the lack of offense from Lee, Eberle, Dal Colle, and a few others, the players sitting are not the offensive answer in 2019-20.

The days of sitting home at Northwell for days is also over, they have to start, traveling/playing 3/4-4/6, and not lose in regulation. Both goalies have to continue their mostly strong play.


Ladd On Waivers

New York Islander Fan Central | 11/14/2019 12:30:00 PM |

With his cap hit, zero doubt he will clear or a trade would have been worked out. After sitting vs Leafs, it makes more sense to run with Dal Colle. Ladd could have gone on another conditioning assignment, those are all voluntary but have six game max before recall.

Still too early for New York

New York Islander Fan Central | 11/13/2019 05:21:00 AM |

Obviously I'm very happy with the teams record, but we all learned in 2017-18, how you get to 8/9 over shows us an indication if you can stay there/keep working toward games over required for a playoff spot which fair to write is usually 17-20 games above five hundred.

The days of sitting around Northwell for 3-4 days is ending after Flyers game, with Ladd ready someone's going to sit or go on waiver.

11/5 Lamoriello Update

New York Islander Fan Central | 11/05/2019 04:08:00 PM |


Injuries, callups-recalls.


Trotz comments after Sabres win/Leddy Out

New York Islander Fan Central | 11/02/2019 11:03:00 PM |

Time for a measured tone, enjoy what's happening, and keep working. That's how they get where they need to be at the end of the season, anything else it's not going to happen. Too many good teams in this division/conference for anything else.

Koivula Recalled

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/30/2019 10:39:00 AM |

More Relocated Games? Third Arena?

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/27/2019 02:11:00 PM |

Maybe Wilpon told Bettman if MLB, can move Tampa games to Montreal, Nassau games can be moved to Quebec. That's three screen caps, on 7/16-10/6-now showing drop in games at both buildings. If it's true (and we have seen games moved on two weeks notice) Scott Malkin may have had enough of losing money in front of thousands of empty Nassau seats he can't give away with his 76 million dollar payroll, and NHL decided to let them move games to a third arena.
Jon Ledecky said 9/25/19 on video moving games to Nassau doubled season tickets, they just offered ssn ticket holders a free ticket to Arizona or Flyers game, and are announcing crowds around 9-10,000 fans that are clearly lower, with countless secondary market tickets available on game-day under ten dollars. Make of that what you will, same as Snow-Weight sat next to Ledecky, and went to World Championships, while NHL/Malkin were contacting Leafs about Lamoriello. Games have already been moved on two weeks notice.

Lamoriello: Injury Updates

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/27/2019 11:02:00 AM |

Not getting lazy on header. No Dobson home blue image wearing current number (no third jersey's used here) so site will use whites at home a bit. Wahlstrom now has his NHL number wearing both uniforms, and it's Ho-Sang's former number so no Ho-Sang. Simon Holmstrom/Otto Koivula are the plan to be split on the headers wearing NHL camp numbers.

Six Straight Mediocre Wins/Notables

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/26/2019 10:06:00 AM |


All wins are important, but there is winning that's built for the long run vs how they got to eight over in November-Dec 2017-18, while the roof was clearly caving in around them winning every game 6-5, and people did not care as long as they won. Like Buffalo last season, how you play goes beyond finding ways to win early.
Is that the case now? No, however, Barry Trotz, understands, and is mostly not satisfied with his team playing in spurts or outplayed as both goalies give them a chance to win.

Off the ice on 9/25 Ledecky said moving games to Nassau doubled the season ticket base, they gave away free tickets to ssn ticket holders, and the Coliseum was still half filled at best (and has been every game) also with tickets under ten dollars available, as usual that LI crew has been a joke in terms of fan support.
Travis Williams is going back to Pittsburgh for a baseball role with Pirates, and received more coverage than Barzal since he was drafted by Newsday, who largely checked out on NYI with Dolan's arena under construction, and the cost-cutting continuing by Pat Dolan via Debbie Kranek.
So our owners need someone else to run the business ops. Lamoriello does it in his late seventies, who's not been seen much, or they promote from within. Bottom line they go to Dolan's arena, and draw like this, the franchise will be re-located, and our owners are going to lose between 20-50 million this season. They need to go back to NYC, and stay at Barclay's to grow their fan base that is stronger there. Belmont is for Dolan, and his cronies like Oakview-Leiweke-Azoff, and Wilpon has a huge stake in this, he was not sitting there for his health. As Richard Browne said NYI are a 41 day tenant.
As for Ho-Sang, he can sit in Toronto until he's eligible for UFA in 2-3 years, unless the return is equal to his draft potential. He signed a contract, he can't even go to Europe.


New York Notables

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/15/2019 12:43:00 PM |

Not the best of starts (nor was last season) with one regulation win, and clearly players struggling or hurt. Far from the team that worked the opposition into the ice so far, and no secondary scoring. Looks like goaltending split, with Varlamov finally giving them a solid start vs Florida.

Nice they held Blues to 23 shots, but Bennington does let up soft goals, and Boychuk's play was a miracle to keep the puck in.

Disappointed Ho Sang did not go to AHL, it's reasons like this why he cleared waivers, and perhaps cost himself a job with Eberle out. Says a lot when Wahlstrom takes his NHL number.

Lee has to be more than Mark Parrish, he was for years who scored with his skating, not parked in front of goal.

Dal Colle has never played RW, that kind of move is going to take time with Bailey on left wing, and Ladd practicing/Bellows in AHL.

Wrote a ton on twitter about pathetic attendance in Nassau, do see going to Dolan's Belmont as end of the franchise in this market when they go there to the same attendance. They needed to stay in NYC. These owners are spending 76 million, we got our answer, it was never winning, who owned the team or the payroll, just a market the NHL should want gone because they can's sellout 41 games under any circumstances or spend what many losing markets do for tickets.

Dolan's getting his Belmont gift from Cuomo, he wants the NHL map set back to 1971, he lost that chance in 2013, he'll likely get it with his AHL team at Belmont in the future.

Trotz seems a bit detached, this man has coached more than Al Arbour, his press conferences shorter, but his message solid. (the ones Msg does not heavily edit)
Like the powerplay, not the pk, but it's early. Clock should be ticking louder on Brassard if Koivula is his competition.

Loved Nassau video on ice, but building was not retrenched during renovation, and players are falling.

Two games until 10/24, time to get healthy, beat the team they won against in regulation.

As for attendance, really think NHL should move all weeknight Nassau games to Quebec, unless they get 13,000 full season tickets sold by 1/1/20. Keeping all Barclay's games. These owners are doing everything to keep this going, if MLB can do this, so can NHL. If our fans won't show up for these owners, why throw 76 million out the window to play in front of crowds of kids, with true attendance around 7-8,000.

Been writing about Nassau's failed attendance here since 2011, and nothing's changed since 1989.

NHL is a revenue generating business, it's time this fan base pulls it's weight, or other people should have the priviledge of a team.

You love these owners so much, they are doing everything possible, they are not being thanked for their efforts, and they are going to lose in my estimation about 40 million dollars playing in Nassau in front of empty sections. Why bother?

Ok, for now they keep playing hockey.

Northwell Health has Msg ads all over practice facility, and a prime Msg/Ranger sponsor. Naming rights?
Dolan's media gets very quiet when things venture near Msg involvement or all arena partners having to sign a lease, Newsday will never show the public. Don't count on any 2021 opening at this pace either.


New York Preview

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/03/2019 07:16:00 PM |

Ok, time for short/honest version.
The most you can write about an NHL team entering a season is they are good enough to be in playoff contention, that's where the 2019-2020 New York Islanders start.

There will be ups/downs/likely more injuries, we'll know about Varlamov when we know. Some players will produce more, others less. Last year was the perfect ascent to a playoff spot, textbook. Having written that an expansion team made one final, another dead last in NHL on 1/2/19 won the cup.
There are times where it's reasonable to take the teams temperature, many do it daily/hourly for their resume. Not necessary.
Team did a video showing Coliseum ice plants, never imaged before. Great job.



New York Final Roster-All Waivers Clear..

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/01/2019 05:23:00 PM |

Welcome to NHL Noah Dobson.



Lamoriello: Hickey...Ho-Sang...Fritz..Waivers

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/30/2019 11:58:00 AM |

Answer comes noon on 10/1/19. Hickey slight surprise, but carries a contract with term. Fritz likely clears, and don't see a massive demand for Ho-Sang for the same reason little has changed about why he dropped on draft-day, besides his offense at NHL spotty at best. For 70k in AHL would not shock me if someone claims him.

Final Roster Cuts Coming

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/30/2019 06:39:00 AM |
How I see things entering 10/1/19 deadline by 5pm.




Subject to change both home/road headers ready. Between patches/Lamoriello number changes, not that easy. Sebastian Aho did not make the cut because he wears Dal Colle's number which changed three different times. Holmstrom replaces Bode Wilde this year. Ladd goes on IR for Eberle, who makes his header debut. Dobson will be on both headers. Otta Koivula's camp NHL number, not the same as Bridgeport, but has a spot waiting. Walhstrom has a place on at least one header. Last years change of Torrey-Arbour in one spot is permanent, sadly the time to honor Mr Torrey's passing moves to the historical site.



Roster Cut To Forty...

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/25/2019 08:05:00 PM |

Trotz said he wanted to get down to one group, forty is not that number.

Long time since Espn was on teams radio, big complaint last time was signal bad to east. Enough fans listen to care?

So we went from frozen water to dirt?


The Beginning Of The End For NY Islanders Franchise

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/23/2019 10:31:00 PM |

Nothing new from what I have been writing for years, had more on twitter but that's the bottom line.





With Cuomo/all those politicians needing Dolan's newsday/media/spin to stay in office, they did what they were told, but you can't make people go to games, that location is a nightmare, same as Nassau has been since 1989.

Can't work at that isolated location as another teams tenant between Dolan-Oakview-Leiweke-Azoff-Wilpon-Sterling-NYRA.

People don't go to malls aka retail villages, with transit access 1/2 plus mile from building & worst highway access in NY. Bottom line, not enough people go to 41 games like real markets do in cities. The devil will be in the hidden lease agreement, Dolan via his media will hide that until it's clear, this does not work financially, and these owners sell/relocate. Dolan's 2013 loss was going to be reversed to put Coliseum, now NYI out of business, but our current owners bought this lemon.

NHL teams in this era cannot afford to play in suburbs, everyone plays in a city because that's where the money/people are. It's the wrong location for a fanbase that walked in 1989 for good, & refused to support the team in first place there last March, with announced crowds of 11,000-Columbus 11,000-Ottawa-12,200 thanks to Devils fans. Tons of seats were given away with only 21 games that began 12/2/18, it does not work in Nassau, it won't work at Belmont, and for all Queens fans to stand 20 feet from Queens, and pretend it's Long Island is just another lie.

Dolan even got two Ranger games in Nassau, and five others relocated. The fans who paid for NYC Islander games get shafted, in a facility/location they needed to stay to grow the fan base, that had 14,000, 13,800, 14,800 for it's three games in Feb last season 3-0, with a record thirty games over five hundred since going there. 


Good luck seeing the tenant NY Islanders lease, that will be filled with attendance based out clauses, and Bettman demanding this franchise finally pull it's financial weight or a another market will.

The lies will continue, the fans in denial will do what they do best, but won't go to games, they are great at demanding owners pay for everything, while other teams get their own taxpayer funded building. Another preseason games in Nassau well under 2,000 at best thanks to opposing fans, while other teams mostly fill the building.



Most Jobs Decided For New York...

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/21/2019 03:09:00 AM |

The preseason will continue, so will the roster cuts.

Simply put this teams payroll is close to 77 million dollars. Barring a trade involving a big salary departing, no one making money is coming here.

Lamoriello has 1-2 tough decisions but not many, the money spoke already in the contracts given, and what's ahead in RFA next summer.

Dal Colle got his one-way deal, Ho-Sang did not, massive difference in salary if Ho-Sang plays in AHL, he's not being handed a spot.

Tom Kuhnhackl was re-signed, he has his contract, Johnston is signed. If Ladd's healthy at some point, he's playing. Brassard is signed. Komarov has his three years. If Clutterbuck is healthy, he has his spot, and Fritz was considered an NHL player last time management called for him. All this likely sends Wahlstom to the AHL regardless to start.

Numbers don't lie.
27-13-7
18-29-12
28-10-47
17-53-15
32-14
16-11-26
Bellows, who many wanted on roster in the last pre-season.
They are not benching #55-24-6 for Dobson, and they have many defenders older with talent in Bridgeport, who have waited a long time. Dobson needs to play every game wherever he winds up, not play nine games occasionally.
Mayfield's contract/size/skill you keep. #55 is going nowhere, with his size/skill, leadership, and downside of age, injuries. Pulock is playing every game. 2-3-25-14 are set on the left side.
And Sbisa is sitting with his PTO at age 29.
So for the next week/ten days we watch as many are cut, if someone is injured? But the roster is mostly set.


New York Cuts To 52........

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/19/2019 11:24:00 AM |




New York Notables...

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/19/2019 12:30:00 AM |

Very little to write, camp continues. On the ice, beating backup goalies with soft goals, on dangerous Nassau ice, not good when other team outplays you, and Carter Hart has an easy night with only four regulars dressed vs many more by Trotz. Barzal almost fell legs first on that painted slush, with other players.
Off the ice is terrible, the home alone crowd should really give Malkin-Ledecky pause about Belmont, and a call to Joe Tsai to work a new deal at Barclay's. Between the ice/nightmare attendance, NHL should step in, so our owners stop losing money for their 77 million payroll.

Dolan's getting Belmont regardless whether NYI play there at this point with his crony companies. 2013 has to be reversed for them which is the only reason this plan exist with Newsday working 24/7 to trample anyone in their way.


New York Training Camp Roster

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/13/2019 09:46:00 AM |


Day One Over.....

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/12/2019 04:16:00 PM |

Media (what media?) day over, wrote some things on twitter. The teams website will post video's with quotes needed from management.


Expect A Quiet Camp For New York.......

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/03/2019 08:45:00 AM |

Sure some surprises, but don't expect many, for now everyone will skate in groups somewhere.



New York Islander Fan Central Notable

New York Islander Fan Central | 8/30/2019 05:55:00 PM |

My thanks to great tech support at enom for fixing issues with this page.

In the event of future technical problems, I want folks to know if they see a blank page or errors www.newyorkislanderfancentral.blogspot.com is our back up page.


Unless something unexpected happens, I anticipate no further changes. Sorry for any inconvenience.




Beauvillier Two Year Extension

New York Islander Fan Central | 8/28/2019 06:53:00 PM |




Scott Gomez Not Returning

New York Islander Fan Central | 8/28/2019 03:10:00 AM |




NYIFC Update

New York Islander Fan Central | 8/25/2019 02:32:00 PM |

Never liked writing these entries, but want to keep everyone informed to changes on all three websites.


The scroll up feature has been on all three sites for months, it's an extension most can install themselves depending on their browser as an add on.


All written entries, current, featured, all are bellow with archives back to 2007.


The full header will return on 10/1 with player images.


My intention is to keep the site going another year. There will be long stretches without updates. It's boring to turn every win/loss streak into more than what they are. Previous years entries are a good example of the eighty two game target numbers needed.


All the classic images/audio are on the historical site. For those who have not visited that page or the prospect site, both in my view are the best anywhere. Quick footnote-found an image of scout, Harry Boyd. Maurice Sabageno would likely complete the listed staff beyond Mr Torrey's secret scout in Sweden.

I updated the legendary power-skating coach, Barbara Williams, image. Always had color version as the first female skating coach in the NHL, but used the origional black/white one. My view her hall of fame abilities should not be advertised as gender based. Finally removed that caption, and went with the color version.
Don't care who visits, will just write the truth to best of my ability, same as since 2007 & earlier.


Will continue to pick my spots between hockey/arena updates.


The twitter page will continue (sometimes locked), along with no pulling punches, folks who can write like adults, with civility/respect/agree/disagree, are always welcome.

Thank you.



Derick Brassard One Year Contract

New York Islander Fan Central | 8/21/2019 06:34:00 PM |

On paper, it does not look very good, even for one year. Can they catch lightning in a bottle? Perhaps, but three teams last year, declining numbers, mileage not a good bet.



Dal Colle two years/Ho-Sang one

New York Islander Fan Central | 8/19/2019 05:45:00 PM | |

Beauvillier, remains the final RFA, and likely the toughest negotiation, but Lamoriello said his one remaining RFA would be signed, could be an hour, or September.

Well deserved extra year for Dal Colle.



New York Notables...

New York Islander Fan Central | 8/18/2019 06:45:00 AM |

To be clear for those who read this website, or follow the twitter feed, my impression of Scott Malkin & Jon Ledecky (who's never had any negative article written about him back to his days with Caps) is they are honest people, who wanted to purchase a hockey team. The notion Scott Malkin spent his share of 480 million to govern a money-losing team almost every single year since 1972 to build a mall at Belmont wilderness back in 2014 is absurd. You can get lots of land world-wide for a mall without spending that kind of money, much less the cost to fund a 70 million plus payroll with another 30-40 million in operating cost every year. Ledecky long before this point sold his stake in Washington.

Charles Wang's estate/Dewey Shay also have to pay.

No hard feelings with our owners, I do not agree with this decision. Only they know if Cuomo-Dolan told them it's this or Quebec. To me, it has to be a NYC location, even if people sit on the floor at Barclay's. You play where the most people live with best mass transit access. Shea site had flaws but was in NYC with tons of highway access, it would be a perfect fit with Mets.

No doubt Cuomo-Dolan also demanded they forfeit territorial rights so Buffalo could play home outdoor game, so Dolan could keep his tax exemption. It may have been his price for two arena approval which Dolan had to give with NHL, but I digress.....

On the ice, Lamoriello will announce who he signed already, and said others will be signed by camp.

Off the ice things are what they are. It was clear since 2016, Dolan wanted Belmont, and Cuomo's paid to get it for him, with the billions that go from Albany (via taxpayers) to Chase Garden, as fast as you can write Joe Percoco.


Dolan's media sold it 24/7 because it's for them, and their crony companies like Oakview/Azoff. I'm clueless to Wilpon-Sterling role in this given they can't develop in Flushing. My guess is Shea site was Scott Malkin's first choice, both sides wanted it, but Dolan told Cuomo, Belmont or Quebec, which is what Newsday employees pushed with no real details to this day.


Payback for 2013, a little of what they are getting with Clippers arena in LA on their doorstep.

The surprise here was Joe Tsai, not only buying Nets in full this quickly, but he bought Barclay's. He took the Liberty off Dolan's hands, and wants them at Barclay's. I hope our owners talk to them before being part of any Belmont lease signing, and see if a Barclay's renovation is feasible?


Do I think that will happen? No.


Bottom line Belmont is for Dolan & his cronies. Billionaires don't like losing where they live, so the plan is put the Coliseum out of business. Once ground is broken, the NYI are a very disposable 41 day tenant. When attendance is what it's been since 1989, that's the end of the franchise in New York.


Do I think Malkin-Ledecky will do everything possible to fill the stands as a 41-day tenant? Yes.  

Will it work? No. We got all the proof we needed in March with the announced 11-12,000 in first place, and all the phony sellouts by the second game vs Pens. My guess is for many of them that 2015 farewell was it. The tiny fan base is so small even in prime time, five games in nine days is too much for such a small base unlike those that can get a bandwagon going. Other teams fan bases which got a second chance, like Winnipeg, Minnesota, filled their seats for seasons day one but they are in cities. It will never work at Belmont with so many travel/price issues, in another isolated location while teams keep moving to cites or demanding (Ari-Ottawa) that's what they need to survive. This is a fan base that walked in 1989 for good, dead last attendance a year after winning the division.


Malkin will have his mall, it will be the only one like this in the US. It will never work at that horrible congested CIP isolated location with a nice 1/2 mile walk, and no roads for 24/7 shuttle buses around the fringe of a racetrack, that frankly needs a full demolition of it's grandstand. NHL teams going there will literally be sequestered to that location during their stay, when players want to go to NYC.


Cuomo's price for a rail road station went from 300 million to 109 million in 24 hours, that's how dishonest the details & sudden announcements have been made. Dolan got a nice new, Cuomo LIRR entrance in June for 700 million (taxpayers) with ground already broken at Chase Garden. Cuomo wants a 4th term, Dolan wants his operating permit in perpututity to go with his tax exemption. Newsday/News12 can put out a ton of propaganda to get anyone in/out of office. Curran does what's she's told, or Todd Kamnisky will be the next choice for County Executive.


Once Belmont is under construction, no one will care if NYI play games there. Dolan would be very happy to bring down the Wolfack which was his 2013 plan to begin with, and put the cable contract money back in his bank. Maybe now they get back in game for HUB?


Prokhorov's Coliseum lease amendment in January 2019 made clear he cannot even approach Nassau to take his name off the Coliseum lease before 2024 at earliest, he now has NYI at Coliseum as his anchor tenant for two years. All this makes me wonder why did he opt out of Barclay's Islanders lease until 2040, now he has the team he supposedly did not want as his biggest sports draw? No way was Malkin-Ledecky opting out of 53.5 million a year at Barclay's guaranteed through 2040. Oakview will be the next Smg with no arena experience, who under-estimated their first renovation (Seattle) by 330 million already, Azoff will bring in his acts. Oakview was given keys to WBA by Islanders but Bridgeport's lease is over in 2021, and like the ballpark, it could be over for the arena.


Not many bad words for departing Yormark (beyond the Brooklyn spamming which could have been Ratner-Prokhorov-Markowicz, Eric Adams orders) who may be at Coliseum exclusively for a while. He made clear in 2013 what we see is what we get, there would be no major changes, he never lied. His legacy will not be good, but just like with very unpopular Michael Yormark's tenure with Panthers, his departure did not change their attendance. Our fans sat down with MTA to make the goal horn at Barclay's. Every time the fans/NHL/NYI wanted something he did it, but what the tiny LI crew who was actually outdrawn by Barclay's the first two seasons without Sat games, want is a max payroll, 1980 prices, just to barely announce 13.9k sellouts on game-day. Our owners spent 50 million to change management, 130 million this summer to re-sign players heading to UFA and still many of them are not happy, when it's remarkable to go 3/3 with home-grown UFA. Last season they only had to go 21 times, starting 12/1. They legitimately sold out 2-3 games, and it took until game-day vs Columbus, Leafs.
Barclay's got 14.8k, 14k, 13.8 last three games in Feb as a lame duck.


What do I think of Belmont? Like Nassau, it's not going to work at the gate. We will see crowds well south of 10,000 in Nassau this October. When this place opens, and it's empty, Dolan, his partners, and Scott Malkin will want this team sold/moved with NHL. Revenue is everything, and Bettman has been beyond patient with a franchise not pulling their financial weight since before he even became commissioner. The lease details will likely be hidden but forget the days of this team being in those iron-clad leases in Nassau/Smg from mid-80's through 2015. When they fail this time, the franchise will be history very fast.


Dolan's Belmont Arena Will Be Approved

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/26/2019 07:56:00 AM |

Short of Malkin, Wilpon, Sterling or Oakview pulling out of this deal, Dolan will be handed his Belmont arena. It's a lock with no political authority to stop it's approval.

Andrew Cuomo wants something, it happens. I did some research on the Public Authorities Control Board, it's not the days of Shelly Silver blocking the west side stadium anymore because Dolan lined his pockets with his kids. Today it's a rubber stamp for Cuomo, who can remove any member for not voting his way to the point it's considered a crime.

Newsday/News12 does not have to get out of bed for this one, it's done, they can work full time at stopping HUB which Dolan lost. The above video says it all about PACB.

Next/Final Steps in Dolan-Cuomo-Msg Belmont Arena Scam..

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/24/2019 06:34:00 AM |

Please stop buying Newsday's spin, it's not NYI arena at Belmont. They are a 41-day tenant, who's name is being used to sell/spam this. It's Dolan's revenge arena with his cronies (Azoff/Oakview-Leiweke) because Dolan lost in Nassau to Ratner/Prokhorov, which included the entire 77 acre HUB development, that was in Dolan's bid, so this is payback. Same as Dolan owns/operates/renovated the LA Forum, but Clippers want an arena next to Forum, so Dolan/Azoff want to stop it, and in LA care they about the community against the project, unlike Elmont/Floral Park where Newsday/News12 & NYI fans cyberbully the people who have to live next to this.


Our team is the 41-day act at Belmont like LI Nets at Nassau until no one goes (by second game) and Dolan in a few years after it opens, brings in the Wolfpack. Scott Malkin pays something for a mall no one will go to far away from so-called railroad station. Wilpon-Sterling at 111 Great Neck Rd (seven miles from Belmont) have big cash to pay, but I digress.


So what's next?



LIBN (only credible small outlet reporting like credible newspapers do with no stake in this) did report Empire State Development (ESD) 10 day comment period extended, rewriting needed what was approved, but they did point out the final two steps, once the charade is over, and it's rubber stamped again by ESD/with Cuomo's P.R guy, Jack Sterne, providing the, Al Trautwig, positive spin we move forward.







So those are the final two steps, after wordage corrections are made, public comments are ignored, for something ESD already approved once. An oversight board in Cuomo's pocket, specifically created for NYRA which bleeds red ink. Then Public Authorities Control Board, more Cuomo cronies, where like in 2005 the three voters needed to unanimously approve, they don't have someone like Sheldon Silver, D'Amato in Barclay's pocket or a Joe Mondello/Kate Murray puppet to stop it, this one is for Dolan so expect quick/fast approval, same as cash flows from Albany to Msg, with the Joe Percoco's who went from Cuomo's office, to Chase Garden to work for Dolan when 3.2 billion Penn Station scheme was approved, before Percoco's scandals surfaced, and went to jail.


But again when we get past all spin/non-sense, and people celebrate, the beginning of the end of the New York Islanders, contractors need cash up front for construction equipment, to hire people to work. You can't put off paying workers for 30-60 years, money has to be spent as Oakview found out fast in Seattle, as the cost went up 330 million/counting. Wilpon/Sterling/Dolan/Leiweke-Oakview/Azoff/Malkin-Ledecky have to spend money, unless taxpayers are funding that too right now.


That's what is next/last. You don't get a ground-breaking without all those things, and MTA/LIRR funding their construction so everyone can take that 1/2 mile-mile hike, and 20-30 mil for road upgrades/shuttles are funded.


And there is this for people who want a 100 foot high arena at the bottom of a flood prone area.





Page 543, had a response that Andrew Cuomo wants Belmont to Ranger fan, that's it for 598 pages.

Usual Massive Schedule Disparity For New York..

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/23/2019 04:17:00 AM |
One two day break on 2/2-2/3..least rest of any Metro team as usual.

Dolan Shell Game Finally Exposed At Belmont/LA....

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/18/2019 06:18:00 AM |

Priceless stuff, total hypocrites, with Belmont/Azoff 110 plus acts, up to his neck.

Tons on how Dolan/Azoff influence elections (Cuomo) with tons of campaign dollars, block arena's they don't want, but put Belmont between both arena's run by Barclay's?

Then they claim in LA (via their PR, as Newsday employees hide) that community has not had a fair say to block a competing arena, while they want Belmont approved 24/7 with no details, regardless of how many are against it?

All this because Dolan banned Daily News, so they brought up LA, which I have done for well over a year.

Check twitter for more.

Holmstrom ELC

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/15/2019 02:47:00 PM |



Bring The New York Islanders Home To NYC

No Dolan Arena At Belmont

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/11/2019 02:37:00 AM |
For two years I read from Dolan's Newsday employees it's Belmont or NYI move to Quebec. Funny, but our one owner who speaks never said that. We're all grown ups, and if that's the truth (with Dolan cable contract check worth 300 million through 2032 voided) by all means tell us after 480 million for eighty percent of a team, a seventy million payroll for years, and a good fifty million plus to change two managements? Not buying, and how many sports teams own another teams newspaper, and makes such a claim?

Dolan's sports editor, Hank Winnicki, was hardly shy about getting New York Islanders to Hartford.


Does not sound like Belmont or Quebec when you spend that kind of money. Peter Malkin's son could have built a very nice mall elsewhere in a lot of cities without massive losses from a failed sports team in Nassau.


Very little new to add from what was posted two years ago on the side-bar here from the past entries. The truth will be hidden, even though it takes little knowledge to know who funds bleeding red ink in Seattle, Oakview/Leiweke, Irving Azoff, and how many billions have gone to Dolan from Cuomo at the Chase Garden. Anyone with a clue knew there was no chance Dolan was not going to put an arena next to the arena he lost, in a place he considered Ranger territory, and still a place he's called home before 1971. That was made a hundred percent clear in 2013 when Ratner won the Coliseum, and sore-losers wrote they would be watching very closely. Since July 2016, the newspaper of Msg, with Dolan owned News12LI, worked 24/7 to make Barclay's the problem despite a record thirty games over five hundred.

Barclay's is not perfect, there is no hiding that or the 190x83 special dimensions that would fix it for free, many past rinks got. Dolan's building has same issues behind a goal.


Belmont's not NYI home when Dolan's cronies Oakview & Azoff operate arena & supply over 110 acts. And as always Cuomo throws Dolan taxpayer money, another 700 million in June/w groundbreaking done for a new LIRR entrance to the Chase Garden. Newsday/Msg of course covered it like basketball on 7/1 when Nets took over Manhattan, while the rest of the local papers hammered Dolan.


Nassau is not fit to sustain an NHL team. The "bring them home crowd" returned with their best team in generations, and only 13.9k seats to sell twenty one times. It failed miserably as expected starting game two against Pittsburgh, and unlike real markets that sellout seasons in a day with the gift of a team, here they did what they do best, stay home. The downsized Coliseum did not sellout or come close many games, even dead-last, gutted Ottawa post-trade deadline outdrew Nassau in a March home/home. The usual excuses we read for thirty years even for Arbour-Torrey to finish last in attendance returned from the worst fan base in the NHL unless it's opening night or a playoff game.


No one builds a rail road station (that went from 300 million to 100 million in a week with lies about financing at first) a 1/2 mile from an arena, that requires shuttle buses, close to a mile away from Malkin's mall or Wilpon's hotel, it's just a bad plan in every direction, next to an already massively over-burdened highway, someone supplying 24/7 shuttles to get to Malkin's mall? Now that road requires 20-30 million to hold a bus to go with price to renvote Belmont Park road, and flooded parks near schools.


NYI need a new deal with Barclays. They need a home where people are to survive financially, that won't be Belmont. They will be under 10k by the second game, and October in Nassau this fall will leave no doubt as usual, they won't be coming eight miles to the Queens border for NHL games, maybe when Dolan brings down AHL Wolfpack which was his 2013 bid after our owners see the light, and lost enough money. Malkin will likely just keep his mall.

It's not NYI arena, it's just the name used to sell a shovel in the ground for Dolan/cronies until the truth comes out. I don't know what Wilpon's end is in this (when he can't develop a thing in Queens where a NYI arena would be perfect) or why Jon Ledecky is a willing part of this failed plan? As usual Newsday/News12 will be a joke, hiding the truth, with politicians well-aware, the Dolan media can control perceptions of voters, and promote who they want in/out of office, even democrats who don't back their agenda.


The bottom line is if this scam happens, the NYI will go out of business, maybe more new owners drag this to 2032 or end of television contract, but the revenue steams as a 41-day tenant, in a mall will not work to sustain any payroll much less one approaching eighty million, not at this location, not as Dolan's tenant. 


The same people around for thirty years still think owners should pay for everything only in Nassau, which is why nothing works there.


The money for the joke railroad station would go a long way toward renovating Barclay's & other than Dolan's paper saying Shea Stadium is not viable (like $58) they spammed to defeat 2011 vote, so their boss could bid in 2013 for Coliseum/HUB, with Ranger AHL team/home preseason games, we have gotten no facts, and mostly outright lies from the same people who told you vote no in 2011. No one at Newsday wrote Coliseum was where NYI belonged in July 2013 when Dolan bid, all you saw Ranger images of their plans to move their brand to the Coliseum site, but made a low-ball bid, even Mangano turned down. And Newsday hammered him.


One fact we have, it's not NYI arena, it's not NYI home, it won't work financially. No NHL team or UFA would sign up for this plan where they are sequestered there, in a place that will be a construction zone for a good five years. If you think Kris LeTang does not represent a good eighty percent of NHL players you are kidding yourselves. No law our players can't live in NYC/near Barclay's and drive to Northwell for practice.


My advice is again lock the doors with Prokhorov, new 49 percent Nets owner, Joe Tasi, who bought Liberty from Dolan, and seems willing to let them play Barclay's in front of terrible crowds. Let's keep our team in NYC so we have a team/future. Those first two years outdrew/tied 22/25 Nassau seasons after 1989 (without Saturday games/Newsday hammering it's competition) & Barclay's drew 14,800 on 2/16/19, with two other strong weekend showings in Feb 2019 while Nassau got 11-12,000 far too often. Ledecky did not hang around DC long after Caps moved, but eventually the Landover fans went to games or stopped following entirely. Barclay's already tied/outdrew Nassau's first two seasons with weekday games.


NYI can work in NYC, we know what has not worked since 1989. Thirty teams want a city arena to survive for a reason, the money will never be in Nassau, not at Coliseum or NYC line which is another joke to act like being fifty feet from NYC is being back home on LI.

I don't think Scott Malkin or Jon Ledecky did their homework on Nassau attendance, past revenue steams, only they know how they worked with Charles Wang, who spent far beyond teams revenue streams. This is a terrible plan, it will not belong to NYI like every other team who got an arena via Pilots (payments in lieu of taxes), it's in a terrible location but I do think their intentions were something in the middle, but a desolate, isolated location like this, and run by Dolan/cronies, is for them, not NYI. And I think it's a lie.


If all this money can be spent, why it can't it be spent in Barclay's or Flushing? A shovel-read area in a sea of concrete, why is Wilpon/Sterling spending a billion at Belmont, when for a full decade they had NYC ruin Willets Points/businesses, to build absolutely nothing to date, and face criticism for how cheap they are running their baseball team in their 600 million dollar, Madoff-funded taxpayer stadium?


LI people walked for good in 1989, no more dynasty? We're done. Everything sports-related died or left Nassau due to fan indifference. If 2018-19 proved anything, it was more of them walked for good after 2014-15.


Twenty years in NYC, and that 14.2k avgerage in 2015-16 from 12/2/15-end of ssn, and 14,800 on 2/16/19 will work just fine, and it will be a lot more in ten-twenty years without distractions or Dolan's media hammering it's competition.


Lets stay home in NYC, time for a real plan that makes revenue work for this team to survive.

New York Notables/Vacation

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/03/2019 06:58:00 AM |
When all the players on the header are signed or qualified, it's ok to put it back up. (took down again. They needed to go 3/3 with Lee, Eberle, Nelson, most teams don't have that success re-signing their own players so thrilled on this end, the team will be fine next season, everyone here will keep improving if healthy, a lot of the players will only keep getting better, especially on defense.

Vacation time.

Only updates will be players added to prospect site.
In 2009 wrote was done with updates regarding future of website, ten years later, nothing's changed.

7/1 Lamoriello Press Conference

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/01/2019 09:19:00 PM |

Tom Kuhnhackl Re-Signed

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/01/2019 06:22:00 PM |

Semyon Varlamov 4-Years/Lehner to Chicago

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/01/2019 06:12:00 PM |

Mixed feelings here, and don't see this as some kind of signing Sorokin's friend as barter, that does not happen. Having written that they had other options, of course, eight years with one team is a strong point.

Loyality...7 Years For Lee

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/01/2019 05:00:00 PM |

This is who I wanted, the right guy, the way forward. Sure they lost #51/need goalie, but they needed Lee. Given UFA climate, he easily could have walked, and likely for much more money.

7/1 Decision Day For Lee/Free Agents

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/01/2019 05:32:00 AM | |
I wrote an entry on #14 re-signing but it sits on side-lines until team announces it.


My thoughts are Lee is a leading player who wins championships, he was a huge part of last seasons success, and played defense, and still produced 28 goals. In the past long before decisions were needed it was easy to see the decline in departing players Nielsen, Okposo, Moulson, Parenteau, (especially Tavares/skating/defense) & felt it a mistake to retain them.


Lee is the first player who I feel the opposite about, his loss would be huge in every area. Trotz knows winning/character, and that's what Lee is, no-one replaces that.


Think world of Lehner off ice/not #1 goalie, too many soft goals, injuries. Don't want Bobrovsky, never give over thirty goalie big term, too many miles/struggles.


Not my decision, few more hours we'll know, expect Panarin to go elsewhere, three teams in five NHL seasons, a lot of money for only 28 goals for a player who helped Columbus barely finish 8th. Playing in Nassau not good for anyone's post-career.


Unlike last summer, had no doubt without Tavares team would contend. Can Beauvillier, Dal Colle, Bellows or Ladd return healthy, and change that? Doubtful.


Is 2/3 good enough with Nelson-Eberle, it's a great accomplishment few teams pulled off, but Lee was the key player, the one you make a career NYI, if his skating was declining, it would quickly change things for me. Saw no decline, he's going to get 25-40 for a good three years, he'll be a leader, the kind you need to win a cup. I'll root for him wherever he goes, owes us nothing, never made false promises. Would be thrilled just to re-sign him. Have a ton of confidence Koivula can come out, and fill a third center spot, man is a house with hands on skates.


A few more hours, we'll know when we know, and the prime faces in Bridgeport will likely change as in Bernier/Gionta.

New York Notables

New York Islander Fan Central | 6/26/2019 06:18:00 AM |
Not much to write, prospect camp continues, Andong Song is past his four years, and is on his second college, so don't think 8/15 applies, and he's UFA but here. Salo is here signed. Soderstrom wants to play here whether it be AHL or ECHL. A goalie is needed if kid from Europe who's signed wants to come.

The clock ticks down on Lee, who does want to be here, & Lou wants to sign him so it's on both sides to get something done. I don't see Panarin or Duchene as more than pipe dreams, who want no part of playing in Nassau, but that's an old story. Lee, who met with the coach is the guy you overpay, he's not Tavares, his skating is good, and he will produce for years.

This may come off harsh, but like Lehner off the ice, but want a #1 goalie, who does not allow soft goals, which has marked his career. Truth is little has changed since a year ago, like Greiss he benefited from the system, and most teams will have no interest in him. Wish him the best, but not here. The soft goals will always be there, a few times he had outbursts against Buffalo media, sitting early, he got hurt twice, and a guarantee was not needed heading to Carolina.

I like Talbot for a year, obviously when the Rangers get rid of last years real #1, who outplayed the eight million dollar ego would be a solid answer.

A replacement is needed for #51, hoping that is Koivula, #28 for #14. #26 for #15 who's likely going to be hurt. Like defense/depth as is, no interest in Leddy trade, unless return really helps. Wilde/Dobson can wait their turn, with Aho, and glut of defenders in Bridgeport. Hutton is a one year signing.

I expect Dolan's Belmont arena will not be approved to help NYI in free agency, at least we have a schedule balanced, but the usual two days off in a month in Feb/twice in March in exchange for two four day October breaks. The LI crew will actually have to go early against west, but they have their max payroll list, in a building that was getting 11,000 in first place in March.

You know I want team in NYC, and willing to give it the time needed to work, where people/corprations are. No one at Newsday wanted them in Nassau when they created the $58 issue in 2011, or when Dolan wanted the Coliseum for himself in 2013, not one article the NYI belonged in Nassau in those days........until Dolan lost, and this revenge scheme to put an arena his cronies Oakview/Azoff will run/operate arena. I'm clueless where Wilpon's getting his money for this when he can't build in Flushing for a decade, and would benefit for this plan being on Shea Stadium site, with rail/road needed.

Prospect site updated.

New York Prospect Camp Roster

New York Islander Fan Central | 6/25/2019 09:49:00 AM |

Lamoriello Comments:

New York Islander Fan Central | 6/22/2019 05:41:00 PM |

New York Selects: C Felix Bibeau (6th) F Cole Coskey (7th)

New York Islander Fan Central | 6/22/2019 04:59:00 PM | |
New York has selected Felix Bibeau with the 6th round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Profile.
Cole Coskey profile.