Jonathan Ledecky and Scott Malkin, who "officially became Islanders minority owners two weeks ago," sat alongside Owner Charles Wang and GM Garth Snow at their introductory press conference yesterday and "spoke excitedly about their on-the-job training as owners," according to Jim Baumbach of NEWSDAY. Ledecky said the duo is "on a mission to learn and absorb" from Wang. Malkin added, "It's Charles' vision, and it's Charles' team. And what I've realized in the few short weeks we've officially been owners is how much we still need to learn." Wang said that he is "pleased to teach the duo everything he knows about running the Islanders while continuing to be the team's controlling owner during their last season in Nassau County and first in Brooklyn." Wang: "They wanted me to stay on. I liked them and I wanted to stay on and help. This is still the Islanders. It's my baby in many ways." Baumbach notes the minority owners' "willingness to wait two years before taking over the Islanders gives Wang an exit strategy he was comfortable with, considering he felt he still had unfinished business running this team." Wang: "I wanted to end the lease in Nassau County because that was my commitment to people here and I wanted to start the first year in Brooklyn." Ledecky and Malkin also "repeatedly praised Wang for his 'vision' to create such an extended transition period that allows them to observe before taking the reins" (NEWSDAY, 10/23). In N.Y., Stephen Lorenzo writes Ledecky and Malkin "stayed mostly muted about what their roles would be in the next few years." Both "were fairly reserved, taking a back seat to Wang as the transition of power takes place" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/23).
HELLO BROOKLYN: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jared Diamond writes Ledecky and Malkin "addressed the media with one eye gazing into the future and the other rooted in the nostalgia of the past." The duo "spoke at length about the significance of convincing their fans to travel with the team from Nassau County to Brooklyn" when the team moves to Barclays Center next season. But they also "made sure not to overstep their bounds." Ledecky: "We are going to be on a listening tour for two years. Listening to what we can do to enhance the experience for hockey fans as we move to Brooklyn and making sure that our loyal and devoted fan base that’s been built over 40 years has a smooth transition to Brooklyn." Diamond writes yesterday "felt like a beginning" in many ways (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/23). NEWSDAY's Mark Herrmann notes the new owners "know that many Long Islanders are reticent about making the longer drive" to Barclays Center or "taking a change-at-Jamaica train ride" on the Long Island Rail Road. They "have heard the speculation that the team will be seeking a mostly new audience." Ledecky: "The fans will follow us if we follow them. That's the most important thing. We have to make sure that behind the scenes, we're working with all the different authorities to make it a breeze to come from this part of Long Island to Brooklyn" (NEWSDAY, 10/23).
INFUSION OF ENERGY TO THE TEAM: NHL Network's E.J. Hradek said Ledecky and Malkin joining the Islanders is "great news," as the club will "have an infusion of capital to help move that team forward" when they move to Brooklyn next season. Hradek: "I'll be curious to see what happens moving forward. You go to Brooklyn; do you have the same uniform colors and style? Do they try to do something different there? Who knows?" NHL Network's Steve Mears said, "It sounds like the demand from the fanbase is to keep a lot of the same colors, the same things and still the New York Islanders." Sears said the move to Brooklyn "makes a lot of sense because it's easy to get to from anywhere in the city." But Hradek said "for those of you who live in Suffolk and Nassau County, you're probably not as thrilled" ("NHL Live," NHL Network, 10/22).
