Former Islander LaFontaine Considering Bid To Buy Team, Stay On Long Island

Hockey HOFer Pat LaFontaine "has been contacted by some European investors about the possibility of buying the money-losing team and keeping it on Long Island," according to Kosman & Brooks of the N.Y. POST. Sources said that LaFontaine, who played for the Islanders from '83-91,  "is intrigued by the opportunity and may look to put together some sort of bid." Sources also said that Owner Charles Wang "has quietly let it be known that he is willing to sell the franchise if the price is right." However, that price is "said to be a sky-high" $300M. Wang's efforts at getting a publicly financed, $400M arena built "have been turned aside by taxpayers." Nassau County's latest effort at "keeping the team has three builders vying to be named the lead developers of the arena site." The LaFontaine-centered effort will look to keep the Islanders in Nassau, but that "may be difficult without an arena" (N.Y. POST, 10/1).