The Isles have played 28 games at the Coliseum this season compared with 13 at Barclays Centergetty images
Nassau County Exec Laura Curran asked that the NHL "consider moving all Islanders games to NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum next season" before the team opens its Belmont Park Arena in '21, according to Jim Baumbach of NEWSDAY. Curran in a letter to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman wrote, "It's what the fans want. It's what the players want." Bettman responded in a statement saying, "The request is a little premature, but it's something we'll consider at the appropriate time." Baumbach notes the team currently is in the second year of an "unusual three-year deal in which they are splitting their home games between two local arenas -- the Coliseum and Brooklyn's Barclays Center." However, the league's stance on allowing more games at the Coliseum "softened somewhat" as the Islanders' Belmont Park Arena plans "successfully moved through the state's approval process." The NHL permitted the Islanders' home games in the first round of last year's playoffs to be played at the Coliseum, and this season, the team has played 28 Coliseum games compared with 13 at Barclays Center. As far as this season's playoffs, "no decision on the Islanders' home site has been made yet" (NEWSDAY, 1/17).
