The Islanders are likely paying "about $6 million a year in a lease agreement” at Barclays Center, according to a source cited by Josh Kosman of the N.Y. POST. Expanding the arena to 15,000 would “match it with the smallest current NHL arena, in Winnepeg.” Despite the “additional costs of some off-season construction, this deal still makes financial sense to the Barclays Center.” An arena spokesperson said, “We may add in premium seats behind the goal.” There also would be the expense of adding a locker room. Two sources said that Barclays had “hired an engineering firm to see how expensive it would be to accommodate more hockey fans.” It is expected to cost roughly $25M. The spokesperson “described the costs as negligible and said it was less than $25 million, declining to give specifics” (N.Y. POST, 10/27). On Long Island, Arthur Staples wrote of all the positives the Islanders "have gained from their deal to move to Brooklyn in 2015, the biggest one may be something that can't be quantified in added revenue dollars or new season-ticket holders or points in the standings." Staple: "It's perception.” People around the NHL “finally might start to see the Islanders in a new light even before they play a game at Barclays Center.” For that matter, “even before the puck gets dropped on this locked-out season” (NEWSDAY, 10/27). In Boston, Kevin Paul Dupont wrote he hopes Islanders Owner Charles Wang "can find an out" in the team's Nassau Coliseum lease, or "pay to get out of it.” It is “unfair for an out-of-towner to tell Nassau residents how they should vote, but they’ll miss their hockey team more than they realize.” Dupont: “Overall, smart move by Wang. The rivalry with the Rangers and to a lesser extent the Devils remains in place” (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/28).
SAY WHAT? In Toronto, Steve Simmons wrote, “Now that the Islanders are moving to Brooklyn, there are basically three NHL franchises within an hour’s drive of each other. In Toronto, there is one. Will someone please explain?” (TORONTO SUN, 10/28).
