Showing posts with label Scott Malkin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scott Malkin. Show all posts

Lamoriello/New York Notables

New York Islander Fan Central | 5/23/2018 02:57:00 AM | | | |
Ok, we got our answers, and listened to all interviews.

Lou Lamoriello is here as President of Hockey Operations with full control, he has not even come down here yet or visited the practice facility, all hockey aspects are his call.

Give Scott Malkin the highest marks, within days of that 4/9 press conference with Toronto in the playoffs,  their evaluation was over, he called his Leafs counterpart, and pushed to speak with Lamoriello, it took some time after the playoff loss, and clearly Shanahan wanted someone else as gm, but Malkin sold his vision to Lamoriello, and here he is.

Ownership kept it's word, even if I hate who/where they want to be a tenant of. 

Now we see what Lamoriello does, no point for me to be repetitive, we all listened to what he said.

Bottom line he now does his own evaluations, whether I agree or not, if Snow-Weight stay in their jobs, I have to support that direction. If changes are made I will support that.

Snow had my support as gm until the end of last season, he failed to win, his team took a step back, then this year they fell off a cliff, he's accountable for it.

Clearly Doug Weight was over his head.

Lamoriello now has to be given the time to do what he feels needs to be done, if he can keep Tavares, ok, if he can't that's ok too, there is a lot of talent here, much more than a lot of peripheral media wrote about.

Snow was treated badly by the local media because of how he got the job that does not even cover games, he's done an excellent job, but it's about winning, you don't win, it's time for someone else. 

Sorry, but he did not make the Milbury trades, he traded a player who's agent demanded a trade so he got a friend of Tavares in Clutterbuck, signed a few players too early, and gave Ladd market value, he lottery protected Vanek, pick, unlike Calgary with Hamonic.

Get over it, there were no Luongo deals in there since 2006, he got a ton right, and he got it right every time it was time to not resign someone, his players respected him, and liked being here.

But again it's about winning. I can't speak to culture inside a room as a fan, all we can do is listen to what they are quoted as saying about being there. Even Nabokov was thrilled to be back after being forced to play a full season for 500k, he stole Grabner, got it right on Moulson, Parenteau, Streit.

He had nightmare luck with injuries for 3/4 years, that excuse could not be played last season, he stood on a stage and lied with Ted Nolan in 2008. In 2009, he said he rarely used the rebuilding word, by 2011, he used it every chance he could when his team again fell off the map.


Lamoriello had some very rough decisions leaving NJ, and he inherited the staff in Toronto & answered to Shanahan, here he will do what he loves to do from scratch, he was promised full support from ownership, they don't have to say a word from here.

He lost Parise after going to the finals, Kovalchuk walked from his contract, he got fined a 1st round pick he got back, he had a lot of bad signings/trades including Grabner/Martin.

Lamoriello will have the final say here, there is baggage to go with his ability.

Now we'll see what happens, staff changes come usually after 7/1 when contracts expire.

It was a good day for the New York Islander franchise, but it's about winning.

Welcome to New York.

New York Notables: Sticks & Pucks Begin

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/23/2016 09:15:00 AM | | |

*Could go either way in standings.

*Roster discussion.

*Lease negotiations undercurrent after 2016-17 concludes will be close to surface.  

*No holding back on lack of video/ITV/media.

*New York Islander Fan Central Update.

I don't have a lot to write on the current roster beyond many have amnesia on where Parenteau usually played here last time beyond power-plays. (third line) Alan Quine played very well and signed a two year-one way contract, and will be in the lineup, so will Shane Prince. They have enough centers playing wing with or without Grabovski, and who knows if Ho-Sang/Dal Colle get a call from Bridgeport or push someone out of a job? 

Expect injuries, that's always a given here. 

Barzal is not going to win a spot here based on a year ago, there are too many drafted centers under contract with Strome, Nelson & Quine natural centers with Cizikas. 

Halak looks great at the folly tournament, but far too much work for a player who missed 16 weeks with surgery, and has two years left on his contract. If I were Garth Snow I would not be thrilled with their coach, Ralph Kruger, who could have started Greiss (who needs work) against Canada in a game where they were going to advance win or lose.

For those wondering Halak is getting very close to the amount of games Berube started last season if Europe does go to the finals. 

If Berube's claimed so be it. The fact he needed to go on waivers a year ago, only screams he needs waivers again even more now after a year with less work then the Kings gave him.


Christopher Gibson knows the goaltending math, he could be pushed out of the starters job in Bridgeport, no doubt he looked around after he did not accept his qualifying offer, he should not be happy nor should Williams who mostly played for Bridgeport last year.

What I can write is the last two years it took 17-15 games over five hundred to qualify for the playoffs, you have to be a very good team to get in. 

The worst team in the NHL usually wins around 30 games. 
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Ok, so the team that has prospect games/media day mostly on snap chat, that has not released any video of Mr Ledecky's appearances besides amateur video/audio from fans (while the owner is desperately asking for customers to purchase tickets) opens camp at Northwell. 

So now it's so bad Dolan's Msg is giving away New York Islander season tickets in a contest, with their ads, and Msg channel on Northwell screens for all our prospects to see?

Are the New York Islanders sponsoring a season ticket giveaway for Ranger fans at Chase Garden, are the Islanders advertised on hockey boards inside their rink in Manhattan & Greenberg? 

Personally I loved Neulion's ITV days back to 2006 where we got daily interviews, pregame, postgame, all on the Islanders website (like other NHL teams) produced by the team, not the canned crumbs slowly moved from Msg network website to the Islanders website last season or audio only which I gave a pass on last season only because of the teams first year at Barclay's, and purchase of Northwell with the teams offices still inside the Coliseum.

Sorry if it bothers folks (not really) but the things available in 2006 Wang paid for should be a given in 2016. 

The prospect game in June was advertised as being live streamed on the Islanders website, same as it was at Barclay's a year earlier. On game day, fans asked what happened with no response from the Islanders to the customers. 

Time is up on my patience regarding this subject.

No one should be happy Al Arbour's 8/29/16 full memorial service quietly was posted on the Islanders website on 9/8/16 when it should have been live. Absolutely it was was wonderful the owners did that for the Arbour family. 

Going to that canned MLB website format for all the teams looks awful, they slapped it on NHL.com last January, now every team is stuck with this template. No, that has nothing to do with the Islanders, the league decided that.

Neulion was far superior, and not because Wang was chairman until June 2016 with his wife in that role now.

You get the impression Dolan will not even allow streaming live video from the teams new practice facility which the Islanders are now contractually obligated to hold practices at through 2026 for Wang to receive Lighthouse escrow money from Nassau.

Mr Ledecky, simply put, every chance this team can be seen live on it's website is an opportunity to sell more tickets as a New York team like the other the eleven other teams in NY/NJ not marketed by Mr Yormark.

If you (primary governor Malkin ) want any hope (unlikely) of Mr Prokhorov keeping your team as a tenant where he pays you 53 million/increasing, the team has to be seen so folks want to go to games so everyone can make more money. 

That does not happen with no daily ITV, snapchat, and not being seen/covered. We all know Pat Dolan's Newsday writer Staple will be as negative as possible, and provide the bare minimum while Zipay will outwork him badly selling their team. 

We all know those other fan bloggers who are selling themselves or some podcast want a career/business so their resume comes first which means they don't criticize the Islanders, and especially the Garden/Dolan's, who own the professional writers chapter. 

None of this is a criticism of the employees who never stop writing on the Islanders website, some retained from before Barclay's taking over business operations (the second time) who write for both the Islanders & Nets, and do a great job for our fans.
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New York Islander Fan Central will continue for the 2016-17 season. What can be written is I do not wish to take every winning streak or losing streak and write about the parade in June, or everyone's being fired or traded any longer. It's boring/predictable. 

Not sure how often I will write or use twitter beyond it will be less but I seem to post this disclaimer every year.

Prokhorov's 8/6/16 Offering Statement Confirms New York Islanders Out Clauses, Lease Agreement

New York Islander Fan Central | 8/26/2016 06:53:00 AM | | | |
 Prokhorov offering statement pdf files August 2016

I asked to see the offering statement, so we have no guesswork, gossip, rumors or speculation. This is Mr Prokhorov's paperwork submitted to refinance his arena debt on Barclay's Center.

Martin Braun of Bloomberg, provided me a link to the pdf files. They cannot be posted here, but Mr Prokhorov provided all details of the Islanders out clauses, lease agreement, revenue so folks can read for themselves.

Click on the link Mr Braun provided, go to official statement tab, click on pdf file for 8/23/16.

Also included is the Convention Sports & Leisure Review of many projected facilities, but again references the Islanders lease out clauses, and had model/projections of the teams attendance, revenue, that's more projection/analysis than fact.

Page 76, 77, 79, 99 answer all questions.

Convention Sports & Leisure begins it's analysis on page 119, page 127 has historical analysis of Islanders. Page 182, 185 has a simulation of the Islanders general paid attendance moving forward.

This is a 200 page pdf document. 

Long story short the New York Islanders can leave Barclay's after the 2017-18 season, Barclay's/Prokhorov can kick them out after 2018-19.

* After 2016-17 season both sides can initiate good faith discussions regarding modifications of financial arrangements in NYI license agreement until 1/1/18.

* If no agreement by 1/1/18 either party can deliver an opt out notice by 1/30/18 which would terminate the agreement at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season or the 4th year of the lease.

* If either party decides to send that opt out notice, the Islanders have the right to terminate the agreement after the 2017-18 season, and leave Barclay's. 

*The Islanders receive 53.5 million per year with a 1.5 percent increase per year. Barclay's receives all revenue. The Islanders pay 2 million/cover operating expenses which came to 6.5 million, and receive ticket revenue for playoffs.

Specifics are provided in the paperwork.
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NYIFC Comments:
Bottom line the 25 year lease is a fact, but hardly iron-clad as Wang proclaimed in October 2012.

There is no arena in NY for this team to move to so those thinking the NY Islanders have any leverage are not dealing in reality.

The media push (partly from Dolan's media outlets who have hundreds of millions to gain by the team leaving NY entirely) will increase to get them out of Barclays, the fan push from the Long Island only crowd boycotting games since 1989 will drive them to another market entirely with Prokhorov not wanting the Islanders in any facility he owns regardless of how things play out in Bridgeport. 

That means the team moves out of New York because there is no NY arena to play in.  NYC will not force Dolan to let them play in his privately owned taxpayer exempt building to retain his expiring operating permit. 

Or both sides could reach a lease extension & are happy with the current terms. Yormark, Ledecky have made clear they have worked well together, and said the right things, but we'll know what they really think by January 2018.

We have no idea where Prokhorov-Malkin stand who are the final word to any agreement.

My observation is Mr Ledecky or Scott Malik (primary Governor) cannot make any promise that Barclay's is the permanent home because Prokhorov has to agree to that. 

Obviously Ledecky-Malkin purchased a NYC franchise with revenue streams to support a team in that market, it will take time to increase a base with a media hiding them in print/television unlike the 1970's but that NY Islander team barely avoided bankruptcy with games on free television, and a dedicated print media with improving fan support.

Bill Torrey/John Pickett were told then by Bill Shea put team in bankruptcy, both disagreed because of the growing fan support that is no longer there this time to show up 41 times.

It's also fair to write Ledecky-Malkin will not be getting a taxpayer funded NHL arena anywhere in the NYC area, nor is the fan base or revenue at the Coliseum to support an NHL franchise.

Nassau County for three years has left the Cosmos hanging while offering a 400 million dollar soccer stadium privately funded so there will again be no taxpayer money coming for an NHL arena or fan support for an NHL franchise to operate in Nassau regardless what happens.

We'll see but the only hope is the fan support increases to make this worth while for both sides to accommodate the other at Barclay's as it did in the 1970's with no media this time.

In other words Ledecky is begging for fan support from a base that has not sold out 41 games since 1988 in any arena. 

We also know by the end of 2017-18/2018-19  Quebec will want an NHL franchise in that empty building with fans ready to purchase 15,000 five year plans immediately at top dollar prices as Tavares hits free agency with a franchise in July 2018 that may no longer have any NY facility to call home with no choice but to relocate.

So will the NHL who are getting more revenue in Winnipeg vs Atlanta, but it's not their decision where the Islanders play inside their territory or what lease agreement they sign.

Malkin-Ledecky will have a better idea soon if the fans will show up besides opening night and playoff games. 

No new building is coming, we know the history, the Coliseum since 1980's has not been a viable revenue option nor is the poor fan support win or lose.

When Wang said it was Barclay's or out of town he was correct, this is the final arena option in this market.

And after what Detroit and Edmonton were handed by the taxpayers for new facilities, it's comical for anyone to think owners who just spent 485 million for 85 percent of a team, are going to pay for an arena also, and provide fans a cap max payroll for people buying seats under ten dollars on stubhub for a gate between 10-12,000 for many games. 

All parties knew what they signed up for when they bought the team & this lease, and also knew the logistics of playing at Barclay's with the poor attendance history at Nassau. 

Mr Ledecky on the surface is trying to promote stability, and desperately engage the fans to support the team, and correctly is selling New York/Barclay's Center, it was also comical to see him telling us how great the seats are at Barclay's so he sounds like a man trying to make this work because there is no other option for them to retain the team here. 

I think this is the final chance for this teams fans to show up, and it may not even matter in the end if Prokhorov would prefer more concerts, a dark arena more often, and to save his 53 million payment.

Tavares will not resign next summer unless this team's future home is secured, that will give us a good idea where things really stand as those good faith discussions begin with Barclay's. 

Ledecky Management Statement

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/01/2016 10:26:00 AM | | |
NYIFC Comment: 
What can be written on Charles Wang again here? For the more astute folks he leaves with a good legacy.

He owns the Sound Tigers in full, operates WBA through 2021, Iceworks, and has an agreement with Nassau County for the Islanders to practice at his fully owned Northwell Health through 2026, and conduct team events beginning 9/1/16 if he wants to retain his LH escrow money.


Ratner's agreement calls for an AHL team to play in the Nassau Coliseum, if not Wang's Sound Tigers, that's a problem for the new majority owners if the Rangers AHL team plays in a renovated Coliseum.

As for Jon Ledecky, he was not introduced as the majority owner, Scott Malkin's finances will drive this franchise with some realistic expectations, and the usual absurd things some of our fans want. 

My guess is like all owners here the fan support determines the direction. Since 1989, a 41 game commitment from our fans simply is beyond what they will do to support their team.

Their opening day likely brings the likely loss of three well-liked core players the fans identify with, one who is a player John Tavares wanted resigned, who's points at wing lead all UFA.

There are good reasons to retain these players, and good reasons to move on. 

We now know Mr Ledecky endorses this coach & general manager. 

It's Show Time For Ledecky/Malkin

New York Islander Fan Central | 6/14/2016 12:38:00 AM | | |
 
NYIFC Comments:
Simply put it's been a long time since October 2014, if Malkin/Ledecky paid the money, they are majority owners, and it's their call, along with Mikhail Prokhorov who is their landlord at Barclay's/Coliseum if a team affiliated with the Islanders play there. 

For today it seems like a good time to go back to what was said as to what kind of owners the fans are getting. If the communication has been as poor as Barclay's-Islanders where obviously for three years the homework was not done, it could be a very big problem. From an outsiders view the three owners have been together often for games/events.

Our fans want passionate owners, crashing into things, not calm consideration, and the greatest payroll, with the lowest ticket prices which is not realistic. Two years should have taught these men that much. Some of these "kids" are now weeks from leaving. 

Jon Ledecky/Scott Malkin are not listed on the Sound Tigers directory, only the Islanders.

Meanwhile the interior roof of the Coliseum is half black now, with the full exterior to be painted black this month.  A decision on the Sound Tigers future will have to happen. Wang has his agreement with Nassau to use Northwell for all team practices beginning on 9/1/16 for his Lighthouse escrow money. Prospect camp will begin place under Charles Wang's tenure in his facility.

The learning process is over with the listening tour, our new majority owners will be making big decisions, the fan support must be there for these owners to spend.

We're about to see what has been learned since that press conference in 2014. 

New York Ownership Change Leaves Mostly Unanwered Questions

New York Islander Fan Central | 5/12/2016 11:00:00 AM | | | |
Updated: Garth Snow happened to speak after I began my entry, was gracious with the fans, and sounded like a man who will keep his job.

“New ownership won’t have any impact on what we’re doing this offseason.” -Garth Snow 5/12/16

So far the three owners have not spoken to this subject.
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Let's be clear. I'm damaged goods on this subject from the past.

Steven Gluckestern was a good #2 owner in Phoenix, highly regarded, paid bills/spent on players.

Gluckstern came here with NY ties, met fans often, then Howard ("Fill The Building First") Milstein met with Nassau and soon we had an ownership run by Ed Milstein on life-support trying to ice a five million dollar payroll, and leverage the television contract to trade Palffy to the Rangers. (after they tried to leave)

Milstein was many things, but not a fool, and he was correct. Some of his investors in the Islanders to this day are high profile people like Steven Ross, who own the Miami Dolphins.

Milstein is still a billionaire, and despite throwing 125 million out the window to purchase the Redskins, was not wrong about fan support or Nassau as Wang found out, but that was then, this is now.
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Jon Ledecky was a good #2 in Washington that became part of an ownership which moved down town from Landover during a season, went to the finals, added Jagr, and had horrible attendance for years.

Ledecky's been popular with fans, and seen at many games the past two years. All three were at Neulion's Christmas party last Dec (held at Wang's Northwell Health) and reportedly at game 2 in Tampa. (at very least)

I cannot tell you a thing about Scott Malkin beyond he seems to be the billion dollar owner of the two, with businesses in London, and his Harvard ties to Ledecky. 
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Garth Snow can say what he likes about the coaches, staff, but in the end it comes down to what Jonathan Ledecky/Scott Malkin say regarding keeping him as Alt Gov, President, GM which could have been decided day one in 2014 win or lose.

Charles Wang stayed loyal to Mike Milbury, he paid for it big long-term regardless of the money he spent or the three straight playoffs. We have fans who want a total house-cleaning regardless if this team won a cup or finished 30th, who do not consider this management team or coaching staff credible even though the players working here clearly disagree.

Despite media rhetoric, we have no idea which owners have what percentage of the team, or what date the minority owners become majority who have a final say in hockey matters. 
 
Teams change (or go without) general managers during drafts and 7/1 in the past, the fact the UFA players have had no conversations regarding new contracts is not insignificant but Snow has signed prospects early.
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What Do We Know?
Everyone (and their lawyers) looked at all leases.

We know former Caps gm, George McPhee, was with Leonsis/Ledecky's + Garth Snow's agent, and was a consultant here this season. 

Ledecky's comment about KC Royals not spending for elite players in 2014 and proved they could win. (not until 2015) Wang's sole ownership took back business operations from Barclay's eight months after his agreement with Ratner at a point before Ledecky-Malkin bought a share of the team.

We also clearly found out Mr Yormark (with a brother who ran the Florida Panthers for about a decade) did not pay much attention to hockey traditions at Nassau Coliseum in 2013, 2014 or 2015 or ask many questions of the fans or the teams owner(s) which meant communication at both ends was not very good to be kind.

Fred Mangione, as Chief CEO of Barclay's made clear he should have booked more Sat home games for Islanders speaks for itself which may have lost its former Sat night customers permanently.

And we know Prokhorov-Ratner this week signed a 49 year lease to renovate/operate the Paramount Theater near Barclay's Center starting in 2017.
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We have no idea what Barclay's owner, Mikhail Prokhorov thinks of the Islanders, any owner, or what they think of him, Mr Yormark, or the lease Charles Wang said was iron-clad for 25 years in 2012. 

We have no idea what Ledecky/Malkin think of having the team at Wang's Northwell Health practice facility or his agreement at WBA in Bridgeport through 2021.

A decision on Bridgeport's future needs to be announced in accordance with Ratner. (now 85 percent Prokhorov's lease to supply an AHL team for a renovated Nassau Coliseum)
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Sorry folks, just giving you my take of the landscape at this early time.

Our incoming new owners have the Islanders website to make clear what they intend to do without a newspaper/sources or gossip. We're going to know eventually, so the sooner, the better.

Fans sitting around on 7/1 expecting twenty dollar tickets, a max payroll filled with top players signed are a tough act for any owner.

Agents, players, fans want a stable operation, and answers.
It's a time to be proactive.

7/1 or later is not the right time for changes if they have already been decided.

We know the players like this management, and so does Garth Snow, but it's not his say until the three owners publicly decide it's still his job.

For now Snow will do is job as always, we'll see if he can negotiate contracts new owners have to pay. 

The exit meetings are over with the players, it's time for ownership to pick a direction, and announce it to the public or it's Snow's job as always which seems to answer all questions. 

Ledecky-Malkin Press Conference Video

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/22/2014 04:30:00 PM | | | |

Charles Wang Sells Minority Stake In Team For Now---Pending League Approval

New York Islander Fan Central | 8/19/2014 02:46:00 PM | | |
Scott Malkin & Jonathan Ledecky

Washington Times: Why Jonathan Ledecky Sold his stake in Caps 6/21/2001

Jonathan Ledecky also is on the board of Forbes Magazine that has taken quite a few digs at Islanders under Michael Ozanain's reign of misinformation.
Jonathan J. Ledecky has served as a member of our Board since January 2011 and as our Non-Executive Chairman of the Board since February 2012. Previously, Mr. Ledecky served as our Interim Chief Financial Officer (from February 2012 until July 2013) and as our Chief Executive Officer (from January 2011 to February 2012)  

NYIFC Comments:
I will update this entry as more information on the new minority owners become available or I add some background.

Nothing leaked however it's hardly a shock Wang found another buyer pending Andrew Barroway not winning his lawsuit/forcing a sale to him which could completely void today's news.

Minority owners transitioning to majority status were here before in the 1990's or more known as the infamous gang of four who never bought out John Pickett entirely. Two of which are currently heading for prison.

No doubt a former co-owner of an NHL team should not face huge road blocks in the approval process, but is he Steve Gluckstern who can be a good #2 without funds to own in Phoenix, but a disaster under Howard Milstein who cut the budget to nothing?

NHL vetting/approval are never a lock. I would like to research more why Jon Ledecky left Ted Leonsis/Capitals.

Enough historical references.

For the next two years/perhaps longer this is still Charles Wang's hockey franchise as majority owner.

Two years is an eternity. Not having funds to pay Wang as they claim a larger stake in the franchise could stop everything at some point.