As the August 1 date approaches for the Islanders referendum on whether or not the taxpayers will help pony up $400 million to build a new arena on Long Island for the team, the one bit of support they can count on is coming from the strangest sources. Who knew that the Isles could bank on getting support from Glen Sather and the Rangers but also from the New Jersey Devils as well.
Devils GM Lou Lamoriello, while busy helping the Islanders on the ice by swapping Brian Rolston for Trent Hunter, is busy helping them off of it by pledging his and the rest of the Devils organization’s support for the Islanders’ arena project. Lamoriello posted a message on the Devils website proclaiming that the Devils wholeheartedly support the Islanders referendum and want to see the team stick around a bit longer than their current lease that expires in 2015 will allow them to.
Much like Lamoriello himself, his message was all business and straight to the point.“The New York Islanders are a proud organization with a championship history. Monday’s referendum vote on a new Nassau Coliseum is vital to ensuring that tradition lives on.
Since opening Prudential Center in 2007, we have seen first-hand the tremendous impact that a new facility can have for our fans and the surrounding community. A world-class facility is fundamental to success in the modern sports landscape, and a necessity for both the fans and the players.
Owner Charles Wang and General Manager Garth Snow have assembled a core of talented young players whose future depends on a new home on Long Island. We look forward to continuing our Atlantic Division rivalry for years to come.
The Devils support the Islanders in their quest for a new arena, and urge Nassau County residents to vote yes this Monday.”
The Isles getting this kind of support from their rivals and neighbors is encouraging for them to see and, perhaps more importantly, it’s important for the voters to see it as well. After all, if even your rivals don’t want to see you leave town that shows how important they are for the area and for the league.
Of course, if the referendum doesn’t pass, the possibility that the Islanders will relocate following the expiration of their lease on Nassau Coliseum in 2015 increases exponentially. Sadly still, even if the referendum passes there’s the outside possibility that the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) will still shoot down the plan. Of course, passing the referendum shows the commitment of the people to pay for the project, something NIFA would have to take into strong consideration.
August 1 is a huge day for the Islanders and their organization and if Charles Wang’s plans don’t move ahead, we could be talking about the Islanders moving to Quebec City, Seattle, or any other city with interest in having an NHL franchise.