Bridgeport Sound Tigers President, Howard Saffan, discussed his background, running the Sound Tigers, and why he left running the day to day operations of the Islanders several years ago.
Saffan took some time out to talk about his career and what it takes to
lead a staff in managing Sound Tigers and the arena under the umbrella
of Harbor Yard Sports & Entertainment.
Q: How did ownership of the sports center turn into presidency of the Sound Tigers and the Webster Bank Arena?
A: The Sound Tigers came into being in 2001. Alan Panzer, CEO of U.S. Surgical, knew I was a hockey fan. He encouraged me to see the Sound Tigers. In the suite next to us was Mike Milbury,
general manager of the Islanders. I introduced himself, and I said we
were building hockey rinks less than 10 minutes away. I was introduced
to the owner of Islanders, Charles Wang,
and two months later, I was at their practice facility in Syosset, L.I.
He asked me to comment on what they should and shouldn't be doing. It
led to me becoming partners with Charles Wang at Ice Works at Syosset.
Two years later, the Islanders purchased -- took over the assets of -- the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Charles asked me be president. About five years ago, Charles asked me to help him run the business
side of the Islanders and oversee the Nassau Coliseum, which I did for
approximately two years. But I was reverse commuting from Weston every
day, and I told him I wasn't having fun. Those are the magic words for
Charles -- not having fun.
I told him I have a great idea -- why don't we become partners in the
Arena at Harbor Yard? I believe we can turn it around. On March 30,
2011, we purchased it from CenterPlate. We've invested millions of
dollars into the facility. We've taken what I foresaw becoming the next
New Haven Coliseum and bringing it back to the jewel status that it
is today.
Q: What are the pluses and minuses of being president of both the Sound Tigers and the arena?
A: A plus is flexibility of scheduling with 365-day control of the calendar. We can be mobile. Example, Elton John
wanted to practice and wanted to play a date here, but the date was
blocked by a Sound Tigers game. I called the president of the other
team, and we changed the date. Elton John was a sellout and a huge
success for the city of Bridgeport. That was a huge get. The minuses --
aggravations 365 days a year. When hockey season is over, whole other
series of issues arise.
Q: Are the Sound Tigers and arena profitable?
A: When we took over the Sound Tigers, they were losing quite a bit
of money. Charles has been extremely patient, and the fans have come
out. The team does well in the American Hockey League. But in Fairfield
County, people have the means to go to Madison Square Garden, the Nassau
Coliseum and the Prudential Center. It's challenging, but being part of
the community is critical in what we do. It's substantially better. Harbor Yard Sports & Entertainment is a
profitable venture. Both entities have been turned around.
 |
Charles Wang's President In Bridgeport Howard Saffan Says Arena Profitable |
New York Islander Fan Central | 3/07/2014 03:18:00 PM |
Bridgeport Sound Tigers
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Charles Wang
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Howard Saffan
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Garth Snow's 3/6 Interview On His Team/Trades |
New York Islander Fan Central | 3/06/2014 02:17:00 PM |
Andew MacDonald
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Garth Snow
|
Matt Moulson
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Thomas Vanek
Garth Snow did a full audio interview on WFAN590 on Thursday and had a lot to say about his team/trades/deadline.
Video of call/full interview.
Calgary getting nothing for pending UFA, Mike Camallari was not in the article.
NYIFC Comments:
What is also not included was Snow calling his penalty killing atrocious after praising his coaches a few months ago. He also said Calvin deHaan's emergence was the reason they did not revisit resigning Andrew MacDonald.
Snow has until June 1st to defer his pick to Buffalo this year or in 2015 it it's a top ten.
All in all he explains why he did what he did.
Bottom line trends change in trade deadlines as quickly as front-loading came along. Many past deadlines first rounder were thrown in for rentals, the trends changed this time.
Another emerging trend seems to be additional compensation for signing a player you acquired at the deadline.
Snow said he accepted the best/only offer, but he had to get more, and failed.
Market or not, that's his job.
Vanek likely did not help his value (or Snow) with his pre-Olympic struggles or what happened with team Austria off the ice that he was named captain of, however he had 43 points in 47 games with a +4 rating, and improved this teams five on five scoring.
I also wrote about him being too outspoken which many organizations want no part of. He did it in and upon leaving Buffalo, also here after games.
That line with Tavares/Okposo was one of the best in the NHL for a month after Moulson had one 5/5 goal against Columbus opening night, and one open net assist against Carolina.
Nothing helped fix this teams issue in losing Mark Streit, then Lubomir Visnovsky. MacDonald/Hamonic were overused/extended, and a forward group small/not physical could not compensate.
And nothing excuses a fan base that again has stayed home since 1989 (unless it's opening night or a playoff game) for failing to support a playoff team last year with an MVP candidate in John Tavares that began with game two against Phoenix in October.
Twenty Nine other fan bases would have filled the seats to see John Tavares after making the playoffs
Not here, never here.
Playoffs or not.
Ed Mangano, Kate Murray, Al D'Amato, Jay Jacobs, Joe Mondello, Tom Suozzi, and Tom Gulotta are laughing hardest.
Video of call/full interview.
Calgary getting nothing for pending UFA, Mike Camallari was not in the article.
NYIFC Comments:
What is also not included was Snow calling his penalty killing atrocious after praising his coaches a few months ago. He also said Calvin deHaan's emergence was the reason they did not revisit resigning Andrew MacDonald.
Snow has until June 1st to defer his pick to Buffalo this year or in 2015 it it's a top ten.
All in all he explains why he did what he did.
Bottom line trends change in trade deadlines as quickly as front-loading came along. Many past deadlines first rounder were thrown in for rentals, the trends changed this time.
Another emerging trend seems to be additional compensation for signing a player you acquired at the deadline.
Snow said he accepted the best/only offer, but he had to get more, and failed.
Market or not, that's his job.
Vanek likely did not help his value (or Snow) with his pre-Olympic struggles or what happened with team Austria off the ice that he was named captain of, however he had 43 points in 47 games with a +4 rating, and improved this teams five on five scoring.
I also wrote about him being too outspoken which many organizations want no part of. He did it in and upon leaving Buffalo, also here after games.
That line with Tavares/Okposo was one of the best in the NHL for a month after Moulson had one 5/5 goal against Columbus opening night, and one open net assist against Carolina.
Nothing helped fix this teams issue in losing Mark Streit, then Lubomir Visnovsky. MacDonald/Hamonic were overused/extended, and a forward group small/not physical could not compensate.
And nothing excuses a fan base that again has stayed home since 1989 (unless it's opening night or a playoff game) for failing to support a playoff team last year with an MVP candidate in John Tavares that began with game two against Phoenix in October.
Twenty Nine other fan bases would have filled the seats to see John Tavares after making the playoffs
Not here, never here.
Playoffs or not.
Ed Mangano, Kate Murray, Al D'Amato, Jay Jacobs, Joe Mondello, Tom Suozzi, and Tom Gulotta are laughing hardest.
|
|
Vanek Traded To Montreal |
New York Islander Fan Central | 3/05/2014 03:52:00 PM |
Sebastian Collberg
|
Thomas Vanek
Updated 6pm: Islanders website Garth Snow's comments
Canadians website confirms:
Collberg is playing in Europe.
NYIFC Comments:
In short Snow gambled, he upgraded his offense in acquiring Vanek, but lost his first round pick in 2014 or 2015, without gaining that back.
If Montreal fails to make the playoffs the Islanders receive no second round pick.
Snow lost huge not being able to resign Vanek, or enter playoff contention and will face very justified criticism for misreading the market.
NY Post: Snow made clear this was the best offer he received and was very high on player he received in deal.
“Have you ever seen Collberg play?” Snow asked The Post over the phone after he took a bevy of criticism from television commentators and from all corners of the Internet. “He has the chance to be a top-six forward in this league.”
“Good speed, good hands,” Snow said. “He could be a real impact player.”
“It was a good day,” Snow said, “under trying circumstances.”
#ISLES TRANSACTION: Thomas Vanek has been traded to Montreal in exchange for Sebastian Collberg & conditional second-round pick in 2014
— NYIslanders (@NYIslanders) March 5, 2014
#ISLES TRANSACTIONS: Mike Halmo and Matt Donovan have been recalled from @TheSoundTigers - http://t.co/81G6ZDpCPm
— NYIslanders (@NYIslanders) March 5, 2014
Canadians website confirms:
Collberg is playing in Europe.
NYIFC Comments:
In short Snow gambled, he upgraded his offense in acquiring Vanek, but lost his first round pick in 2014 or 2015, without gaining that back.
If Montreal fails to make the playoffs the Islanders receive no second round pick.
Snow lost huge not being able to resign Vanek, or enter playoff contention and will face very justified criticism for misreading the market.
NY Post: Snow made clear this was the best offer he received and was very high on player he received in deal.
“Have you ever seen Collberg play?” Snow asked The Post over the phone after he took a bevy of criticism from television commentators and from all corners of the Internet. “He has the chance to be a top-six forward in this league.”
“Good speed, good hands,” Snow said. “He could be a real impact player.”
“It was a good day,” Snow said, “under trying circumstances.”
|
|
Andrew MacDonald Traded To Philadelphia |
New York Islander Fan Central | 3/04/2014 04:11:00 PM |
Andrew MacDonald
|
Matt Mangene
#ISLES TRANSACTION: Andrew MacDonald has been traded to the #Flyers for 2014 3rd-round pick, 2015 2nd-round pick & Matt Mangene
— NYIslanders (@NYIslanders) March 4, 2014
Islander website release:Mangene, 24, has six points (three goals, three assists) in 51 games this season with the Adirondack Phantoms of the American Hockey League. A native of Manorville, NY, Mangene played three seasons of college hockey at the University of Maine, scoring 16 goals and 34 points in his final year with the Black Bears in 2011-12.
Matt Mangene is a third year center in the AHL with the Phantoms
Will not stand out in the size department which is needed here.
NYIFC Comments:
I guess Shane Harper was not available again. Seems one team in our division loves our pending UFA defenders. For me the return price has to be higher for a divisional rival as in if MacDonald signs with Flyers the 2015 pick becomes a first rounder.
So now the Islanders have the Flyers third/fourth round selections in the 2014 draft.
Note-My apologies to everyone for hitting the wrong button earlier in possible anticipation of a trade that was not intended to be posted, but saved in draft. I deleted the entry within minutes, but understand many link to this website.
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|
New York Notables |
New York Islander Fan Central | 3/03/2014 07:53:00 AM |
Anders Nilsson
|
Andrew MacDonald
|
Garth Snow
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Jack Capuano
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Justin Johnson
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Pat LaFontaine
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Thomas Vanek
Updated 2:50pm:
Vanek, MacDonald, Capuano all comment on trade deadline NHL.com
Updated 7:00pm
Justin Johnson was signed by the Islanders, he remains in Bridgeport. Anchorage paper is planning a full interview with comments on signing.
*****************************
This 3/1-3/2 weekend in 2014 did remind me of the core of the four weekend, that team was on it's last legs also.
Far too many passengers, and this was with Vanek/MacDonald still here.
Yes, I think both losses would have happened even with Tavares healthy.
New York showed up, skated hard against Toronto, and did for one period against New Jersey.
Then they stopped for the next four periods, lead against Florida notwithstanding.
They could have been up 5-1 (perhaps more) against Florida, but still they were not working hard. There is no excuse for it.
Win or lose, this team has had few poor efforts much less two back to back.
Sunday's game was gift-wrapped to be a win. 2-0 lead, a five on three two minute power-play? Florida was ready to surrender two points without a fight for two periods when both teams were not mocking one another or looking for cheap-hits/fights.
This was different than those other two goal leads the Islanders worked hard to earn, they earned nothing going up 3-1 on Sunday.
Is Garth Snow still thrilled with his special teams coaching now that Florida dominated them with their poor special teams?
Win/lose you can always control your skating.
No excuse for it or some of the lazy frustration penalties, especially in the offensive zone.
If these players like Jack Capuano they sure did not skate like they want him to return as coach this weekend.
This group mostly seems to play to the best of it's ability for Capuano, it's not good enough but a team in a position to win all these games to begin with must say something positive about the head coach.
Should that be enough? No, not if you believe management last October. They made clear what the goal was for 2013-14.
Shawn Matthias skated like he did in January when he dominated the Islanders, who let him when he started working, he may have had seven goals, but every time I watch him he's very noticeable for all the right reasons.
Playing Anders Nilsson three days in a row was a mistake. Why he looked ready for the third period against the Devils, and like he was lulled to sleep after two periods against the Panthers is on him or management?
It was like that one goal (off Carkner) completely shook him.
Carkner's penalties down the stretch were lazy, nothing more. MacDonald got picked apart by Matthias.
Colin McDonald looked he was skating in mud all weekend.
Mike Halmo was the better player on Saturday.
Why is Matt Donovan in Bridgeport so Carkner can dress? So much for Bridgeport's winning streak, two 2-1 losses for Kevin Poulin, and some defenders who deserve a look here.
I like what Hamonic did Saturday, but have not seen the league make a call like that in well over a decade awarding a six plus minute powerplay.
Isn't that was Cal Clutterbuck was traded/signed for again, so Hamonic with his concussions does not have to fight?
*****************************
It seems ever since the Islanders won the rights to a player the Rangers were heavily rumored for in Vanek, Msg employees have been taking some snarky shots at him.
His conditioning was targeted earlier this season by Msg.
Howie Rose was over the top (between his usual apathy for having to work before another vacation), Goring on Saturday/Sunday seemed to be getting into the act.
What is all this Vanek lately has not been whatever when teams have not played for almost three weeks?
He did have three points Sunday, and more impressively back-checked hard to break up a 2-1 against early in the third on a power-play? Maybe Vanek should change his name to Callahan or Richards so the Msg employees know they have to be positive. (or with the laughingstock Msg meal-ticket Knicks)
Mr Goring, when the team scores five goals on Thursday, you cannot say, they have not been scoring a lot of goals lately when the last game was almost three weeks earlier.
*****************************
I have no remaining sympathy for Pat Lafontaine, but of course the national media circus that went over the top to criticize the Islanders in 2007, was far more muted about #16 or the Sabres this time.
Perhaps it's because it's in-season with teams playing, and there is just not the time/space? What happened with the Islanders was in summer at a time nothing was going on.
This time #16 was the teams President, he hired the gm/others so it's much worse because his own choices did this. This was not Charles Wang's committee where he made clear what everyone's role would be at that press conference, this was Lafontaine's group.
The Buffalo News knows where it's future ad money comes from, it's not Pat Lafontaine, so the circus is a lot more muted from their paid media salesman who cover the team.
John Pickett, Bill Torrey, Charles Wang deserve an apology from Lafontaine/media.
Wang's 2006-07 team made the playoffs, he did the right thing dumping Neil Smith before he signed his contract. Special adviser Lafontaine walked.
Lafontaine's very good at walking away when he does not get what he wants, it's something he has to start taking accountability for. I don't know if history repeats but I expect Ted Nolan stays, he did not walk away for Lafontine before, and the reality is no other NHL team would hire him if he walks now.
*****************************
I'm not sure what happens with the trade deadline for the Islanders.
I expect if there is a trade (or two) the return will be mixed. They don't have a lot of forwards left in the organization to simply recall so forget any housecleaning unless players are coming this way who would have to be young or signed for at least 2-3 years.
Plus they are in western Canada for the deadline, granted an off-day.
Personally, I would take another shot at resigning MacDonald, putting Hickey/Strait in play for a trade instead. It's not going to shock me if Vanek is interested in July if the Islanders put the same offer on the table, but a corporate team will likely front-load which makes all the difference, even if the Islanders do offer more.
Most folks do not understand the front-loading of contracts. Players want that 10-20-30 million of their 50 million dollar contract as a signing bonus immediately. They do not want to wind up like DiPietro or Yashin, losing millions because they took their money as a straight contract with same dollar amount every year.
Why risk a buyout, losing money in the later years? Wang cannot front-load, he's not the only one who cannot front-load.
Vanek, MacDonald, Capuano all comment on trade deadline NHL.com
Updated 7:00pm
Justin Johnson was signed by the Islanders, he remains in Bridgeport. Anchorage paper is planning a full interview with comments on signing.
*****************************
This 3/1-3/2 weekend in 2014 did remind me of the core of the four weekend, that team was on it's last legs also.
Far too many passengers, and this was with Vanek/MacDonald still here.
Yes, I think both losses would have happened even with Tavares healthy.
New York showed up, skated hard against Toronto, and did for one period against New Jersey.
Then they stopped for the next four periods, lead against Florida notwithstanding.
They could have been up 5-1 (perhaps more) against Florida, but still they were not working hard. There is no excuse for it.
Win or lose, this team has had few poor efforts much less two back to back.
Sunday's game was gift-wrapped to be a win. 2-0 lead, a five on three two minute power-play? Florida was ready to surrender two points without a fight for two periods when both teams were not mocking one another or looking for cheap-hits/fights.
This was different than those other two goal leads the Islanders worked hard to earn, they earned nothing going up 3-1 on Sunday.
Is Garth Snow still thrilled with his special teams coaching now that Florida dominated them with their poor special teams?
Win/lose you can always control your skating.
No excuse for it or some of the lazy frustration penalties, especially in the offensive zone.
If these players like Jack Capuano they sure did not skate like they want him to return as coach this weekend.
This group mostly seems to play to the best of it's ability for Capuano, it's not good enough but a team in a position to win all these games to begin with must say something positive about the head coach.
Should that be enough? No, not if you believe management last October. They made clear what the goal was for 2013-14.
Shawn Matthias skated like he did in January when he dominated the Islanders, who let him when he started working, he may have had seven goals, but every time I watch him he's very noticeable for all the right reasons.
Playing Anders Nilsson three days in a row was a mistake. Why he looked ready for the third period against the Devils, and like he was lulled to sleep after two periods against the Panthers is on him or management?
It was like that one goal (off Carkner) completely shook him.
Carkner's penalties down the stretch were lazy, nothing more. MacDonald got picked apart by Matthias.
Colin McDonald looked he was skating in mud all weekend.
Mike Halmo was the better player on Saturday.
Why is Matt Donovan in Bridgeport so Carkner can dress? So much for Bridgeport's winning streak, two 2-1 losses for Kevin Poulin, and some defenders who deserve a look here.
I like what Hamonic did Saturday, but have not seen the league make a call like that in well over a decade awarding a six plus minute powerplay.
Isn't that was Cal Clutterbuck was traded/signed for again, so Hamonic with his concussions does not have to fight?
*****************************
It seems ever since the Islanders won the rights to a player the Rangers were heavily rumored for in Vanek, Msg employees have been taking some snarky shots at him.
His conditioning was targeted earlier this season by Msg.
Howie Rose was over the top (between his usual apathy for having to work before another vacation), Goring on Saturday/Sunday seemed to be getting into the act.
What is all this Vanek lately has not been whatever when teams have not played for almost three weeks?
He did have three points Sunday, and more impressively back-checked hard to break up a 2-1 against early in the third on a power-play? Maybe Vanek should change his name to Callahan or Richards so the Msg employees know they have to be positive. (or with the laughingstock Msg meal-ticket Knicks)
Mr Goring, when the team scores five goals on Thursday, you cannot say, they have not been scoring a lot of goals lately when the last game was almost three weeks earlier.
*****************************
I have no remaining sympathy for Pat Lafontaine, but of course the national media circus that went over the top to criticize the Islanders in 2007, was far more muted about #16 or the Sabres this time.
Perhaps it's because it's in-season with teams playing, and there is just not the time/space? What happened with the Islanders was in summer at a time nothing was going on.
This time #16 was the teams President, he hired the gm/others so it's much worse because his own choices did this. This was not Charles Wang's committee where he made clear what everyone's role would be at that press conference, this was Lafontaine's group.
The Buffalo News knows where it's future ad money comes from, it's not Pat Lafontaine, so the circus is a lot more muted from their paid media salesman who cover the team.
John Pickett, Bill Torrey, Charles Wang deserve an apology from Lafontaine/media.
Wang's 2006-07 team made the playoffs, he did the right thing dumping Neil Smith before he signed his contract. Special adviser Lafontaine walked.
Lafontaine's very good at walking away when he does not get what he wants, it's something he has to start taking accountability for. I don't know if history repeats but I expect Ted Nolan stays, he did not walk away for Lafontine before, and the reality is no other NHL team would hire him if he walks now.
*****************************
I'm not sure what happens with the trade deadline for the Islanders.
I expect if there is a trade (or two) the return will be mixed. They don't have a lot of forwards left in the organization to simply recall so forget any housecleaning unless players are coming this way who would have to be young or signed for at least 2-3 years.
Plus they are in western Canada for the deadline, granted an off-day.
Personally, I would take another shot at resigning MacDonald, putting Hickey/Strait in play for a trade instead. It's not going to shock me if Vanek is interested in July if the Islanders put the same offer on the table, but a corporate team will likely front-load which makes all the difference, even if the Islanders do offer more.
Most folks do not understand the front-loading of contracts. Players want that 10-20-30 million of their 50 million dollar contract as a signing bonus immediately. They do not want to wind up like DiPietro or Yashin, losing millions because they took their money as a straight contract with same dollar amount every year.
Why risk a buyout, losing money in the later years? Wang cannot front-load, he's not the only one who cannot front-load.