MILBURY MOVE SEEN AS A BID FOR STABILITY ON THE ISLAND

     If Islanders Coach Mike Milbury fails in his new role as GM,
it is "quite conceivable" the team could be sold or moved,
according to NEWSDAY.  Mark Herrmann writes the Islanders are
"perennially trapped" in last place, attendance is low, and
SportsChannel New York officials reportedly want to renegotiate
their $12M annual contract.  Although the team's lease with
Nassau Coliseum runs through 2015, one hockey source noted:  "In
this day and age, any lease can be broken."  But Islanders Co-
Chair Robert Rosenthal said with Milbury as GM, management is
committed to creating a "viable business" with an end to talk
about buying or moving the team.  He added that he and his
partners "have no interest in moving" (NEWSDAY, 12/13).