Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment CEO Brett Yormark "got an overall positive vibe" about the start of the Islanders' second season at Barclays Center as he "walked and talked to fans" during Sunday's home opener against the Ducks, according to Brian Heyman of NEWSDAY. Yormark: "A little bit different tone than last year." Islanders co-Owner Jon Ledecky said, "Fans have already talked to us after the opening day that they feel like it’s our home now. ... Just the whole feel of the building in our second season -- Barclays has worked hard to make our fans feel like it’s their home. And I really appreciate that." Heyman notes there is "more Islanders imagery and branding" this season, as well as "more merchandise in the team store." More Long Island Rail Road trains were "added for the postgame commute," and there is also a "VIP room for the players’ wives and a suite for them during games." Meanwhile, the ice at Barclays Center last season "drew bad reviews." Yormark said BS&E has "brought on board an ice technician to really manage the ice." Yormark: "We’re getting really good marks from the players." Heyman notes the Islanders "can potentially opt out after season three and both sides can potentially opt out after season four." But Yormark said, "I don’t look at dates; I don’t look at contracts. I look at progress. Are we making progress week to week?" Ledecky: "We’re moving forward in our relationship with them in a very positive framework" (NEWSDAY, 10/19).
