New York Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky insists that Brooklyn is “our home,” but the Barclays Center’s issues still seem to prompt doubts about the future.
The latest report is that the Islanders “are in talks” with New York Mets executives to build a hockey arena in Queens, next to Citi Field, according to Bloomberg’s Scott Soshnick.
There’s no word on how far along such discussions are, although Soshnick’s sources said the Islanders and Mets have been talking for “months.”
More than a few people view this as the Islanders using such threats to leverage improvements at Barclays, as the Islanders’ first season drew complaints about transportation to the arena, obstructed views for seats and choppy ice during games.
Islanders should be talking Queens. No-lose. Either get their own new arena in Queens or a better deal and setup in Brooklyn.
— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) July 21, 2016
How much did this avenue/route get explored becomes my question #isles
— B.D. Gallof (@BDGallof) July 21, 2016
Tend to think this @NYIslanders, @Mets-assisted Brooklyn escape plan is leverage. We'll see. https://t.co/rBI0cJthPY pic.twitter.com/ud5gdooJiN
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) July 21, 2016
Puck Daddy points out that the Islanders can opt out of their lease after the 2018-19 season, so it wouldn’t be surprising if a Queens-area building alongside the Mets stands as merely one of several rumored options.
There have already been a few:
[adds Willets Point to list of would-be Islanders arena locations including Belmont Park and Pilgrim Psych]
— Dan (@cultureoflosing) July 21, 2016
This provides plenty of time for people to make fun of the situation, too.
Can't wait to read the Islanders' review of Barclay's Center on AirBnB.
— Corey Masisak (@cmasisak22) July 21, 2016
Hey, you can’t expect to develop a world-class free agent destination without a world-class building, right?