Price of Parking Going Up At the Coliseum?

Update: According to a season ticket holder on twitter, they confirmed with their ticket rep that parking will in fact be $15 this year like we speculated last night.

Ticket rep just confirmed to me that parking is up to $15 in the regular lot this year. #Isles
— Craig Dixon (@CraigJDixon) August 28, 2014

Going into the last season at the Coliseum, fans may need to pay a little more to park their cars before they enter the arena to see the Islanders play.

This afternoon, I received the information about pre paid parking passes for season ticket holders for next season.  The preferred parking pass will cost season ticket holders $445 plus a $15 shipping charge.  In the letter from the Islanders they say this is approximately a 30% savings.  That would suggest that the price of parking has gone up because at that price using last years price of $12 per game it would be only be around an 11% savings.  For the prices given by the team to be near a 30% savings it would mean price of parking is now $14 or $15 dollars.

I'm not aware if these potential increases mean the price of the $8 lot will be going up as well.

Wang Attempting To Move Barroway Suit From Manhattan To Nassau

According to Jim Baumbach from Newsday, Charles Wang is attempting to move Andrew Barroway's lawsuit against him from Manhattan court to Nassau County.

Wang claims that the suit should be moved because he lives in Nassau County and Barroway doesn't live in New York.  Barroway claims that there was a clause in their agreement that said any legal matters would be handled in Manhattan.  This is viewed by some as the first test of Barroway's suit.

A lawyer familiar with the suit told Newsday that the fact the contract isn't signed doesn't kill Barroway's chances but it does make for a tough road ahead.

Charles Wang wants to move Andrew Barroway's lawsuit from Manhattan court to Nassau County, according to court filing.
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) August 27, 2014

So essentially this will be the first test of the validity of the terms of the unsigned agreement between Wang and Barroway.
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) August 27, 2014

A lawyer who knows about this suit told me the fact contract isn't signed does not kill Barroway's claim. Still, it's a tough hill to climb.
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) August 27, 2014

Isles Set To Take Over Adventureland October 5th

Today, the Islanders announced that the fifth annual Islanders Children's Foundation Day at Adventureland in Farmingdale will take place on Sunday October 5th.

The park will open at 9:00 a.m. for season ticket holders and players will starting signing at 9:30 a.m.  From 9:30-11:00 a.m. the park will be open for season ticket holders only.  Season ticket holder bracelets will be $20 each with the money going to the Islanders Children's Foundation.  At 11:00 a.m. the park will open up for the general public and their bracelet will be $25 each with that money also going to the Islanders Children's Foundation.

You can purchase bracelets for the event here.

Islanders To Honor 3 Former Players

According to Islanders Insight, the Islanders will be honoring three former players in the first half of this season.

On November 22nd, the Islanders will be honoring goalie Billy Smith.  Smith was a stalwart for the Islanders between the pipes during their dynasty in the early 80's.  Notorious for his hard nosed style Smith earned the nickname Battlin Billy.

On December 6th, the Islanders will be honoring forward Bob Nystrom who is most known for scoring the goal that won the Islanders their first cup in 1980 at 7:11 of overtime.  Over the decades since Nystrom as gotten the nickname Mr Islander for remaining on Long Island after his playing days.

Finally, on December 13th the Islanders will honoring forward Clark Gillies.  While Gillies was famous for his fights specifically with Boston Bruins agitator Terry O'Reilly, he was no slouch in the offensive zone garnering 697 points in 958 games.  Also, from 1977-1979 Gillies served as team captain.

If fans purchase tickets for any of these games through a special ticket pack here, they will receive special mini lockers of the honored player.  Season ticket holders will also receive a locker later in the season.

Sound Tigers Sign 6 To Two Way Contracts

According to reports, today the Islanders AHL affiliate the Bridgeport Sound Tigers announced the signing of 6 players to two way contracts.  Those players are:

Forwards Peter Sivak, Michael Pereira, and Adam Phillips as well as defensemen Mark Nemec and Keith Seabrook and goalie Philippe Trudeau.

Last season, in 67 games for the Alaska Aces in the ECHL, Sivak had 83 points including 31 goals.  Also, in 3 games for Abbotsford Heat of the AHL Sivak didn't register a point.

Last season, in 34 games for UMass-Amherst in college, Pereira had 22 points including 11 goals.  Following the end of his college season Pereira played 3 games for the Worcester Sharks of the AHL where he registered 1 point in 3 games.

Adam Phillips was a teammate of Pereira last season.  In 34 games for UMass-Amherst last season Phillips had 15 points including 6 goals.

Last season, in 63 games for the Colorado Eagles in the ECHL, Nemec had 17 points including 5 goals.  Nemec also had 61 penalty minutes which suggests he brings an edge with his game.

Seabrook actually didn't play professional hockey last season.  His last professional time was two years ago when he played 18 games for Val Pusteria HC which is a hockey team in Italy.  In those 18 games Seabrook had 18 points including 8 goals.

Last season, in 67 games for the Ottawa 67's in the OHL, Trudeau had a 4.03 GAA and a .900 save percentage.  Following the end of his junior season, Trudeau played 4 games for Bridgeport.  In those 4 games, Trudeau had a 3.37 GAA and a .897 save percentage.

Meet Your 2014/2015 Islanders Ice Girls

photo by New York Islanders

This past Saturday, the Islanders held auditions for their 2014/2015 Ice Girl squad which will be the team for the Islanders final season at Nassau Coliseum.  It is unknown if the Islanders will continue with Ice Girls in Brooklyn, however given the fact that they started the idea and it has become a popular thing around the league I would think they will.

For a little bit of behind the scenes from audition day, check out a video here from Islanders TV.

Islanders News Tidbits of the Day

Photo by New York Islanders

For what otherwise would've been a run of the mill quiet August day, today there were a couple news items related to our Islanders.

First, the team released their commemorative logo for the final season at the Coliseum.  The logo will be worn on the shoulders of jerseys by the players this season.  It is unknown as of yet if the logo will also be featured anywhere on the ice.  You can pick up pucks featuring this logo at the team store at the Coliseum.

The second news item of the day was that single game tickets for the first half of the season will go on sale to the general public on September 2nd.  The season ticket holder pre sale will begin on August 25th.  You will not be able to purchase single game tickets for the home opener on October 11th, any of the three games against the rival Rangers, or the final game at Nassau Coliseum on April 11th.  In order to get tickets to any of those games you will have to purchase a special two game package where you get tickets to one of those games and an additional game.

Capitals Owner Leonsis Congratulates Ledecky & Malkin On Islanders Deal

In 1999, Islanders new co-owner Jonathan Ledecky was part of a group that purchased the Washington Capitals.  His stake of the group gave him 24% ownership of the team.  Another member of the group was Ted Leonsis who made his career at AOL.  In 2001 Ledecky sold his 24% stake in the Capitals to Leonsis giving Leonsis 100% control of the team.

The news of Ledecky getting back into the NHL ownership game caused his former partner Leonsis to issue a short congratulatory post on his blog yesterday.

Islander Fans React To Sale News

Meet Jonathan Ledecky

photo by washingtonpost

Earlier today, reports came out that Charles Wang had sold a minority stake of the Islanders to a group led by Jonathan Ledecky and Scott Malkin.

Ledecky graduated Harvard University and the Harvard Business School before beginning his career in Washington in 1983.  As of 2006 Ledecky was the founder, co founder, or director of 10 publicly traded companies with total sales of close to 9 billion dollars.

Ledecky has made his money in corporate roll ups which means he would take many small companies in a similar industry and merge them into one larger business.  Ledecky's first huge deal came in 1994 when he formed US Office Products.  From 1999-2001 Ledecky was part of a group that held an ownership stake in the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards as well as the MCI Center.  As of 1998 Ledecky had a net worth of 200 million dollars.  In 2005, Ledecky made a bid to buy the Washington Nationals MLB team but was unsuccessful.

Ledecky has served as a member of the board for Forbes since January 2011 and the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board since February of 2012, according to his Forbes profile page.  Ledecky served as the Interim Chief Financial Officer of Forbes from February 2012 until July 2013.

Meet Scott Malkin

photo by wwd

Today, reports came out that Scott Malkin and Jonathan Ledecky have purchased a minority share of the Islanders from Charles Wang.

Scott Malkin is the CEO of London based Value Retail which he founded in 1992.  He is also chairman of Malkin holdings which owns and manages 11 million square feet of office and retail space in the greater New York area.  Malkin is a trustee of the New York Public Library as well as Vice Chair of the Urban Land Institute Empire and chair of the Urban Land Institute Europe.  Last year, Malkin's family was named the 10th most famous multi-generational entrepreneur family by Forbes.

BREAKING NEWS: Charles Wang Has Sold A Minority Share of the Islanders

Update 2: According to Katie Strang, a Board of Governors vote will not take place until December.

Update: According to News 12, after the two years Wang will maintain minority ownership after the two years.

Wang will remain a minority owner after two years. #NHL #Islanders
— Kevin Maher (@KMaherNews12) August 19, 2014

According to Arthur Staple of Newsday, Charles Wang has sold a minority share of the Islanders to Jonathan Ledecky and Scott Malkin.  Ledecky and Malkin will own a minority share of the Islanders for the next two seasons and then assume control of the team after that.

The financial terms have yet to be released.  The sale is pending the approval of the NHL BOG.

BREAKING NEWS: Charles Wang has agreed to sell the #Isles to John Ledecky, former co-owner of the Capitals, and investor Scott Malkin.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) August 19, 2014

Ho-Sang Speaks His Mind About Hockey Canada

According to TSN, Islanders prospect Josh Ho-Sang in a recent interview spoke his mind regarding his snub from the World Junior team last year by Hockey Canada.

Some snippets from his interview include at one point Ho-Sang saying, "I don't play for Hockey Canada, I play for New York."  He continued, "I don't really care if nobody else does..."  On his feelings about his omission he said, "The fact that I haven't been invited to a camp, it's insulting..."  When attempting to figure out a reason for his omission Ho-Sang said, "They can't invite me to that stuff because they are afraid."  When asked directly why Hockey Canada wouldn't want him Ho-Sang said, "I don't know."

I know this will turn some people off because players especially young ones that speak up like this aren't usually looked favorably upon like Ho-Sang alludes to in the piece.  However, I love this!  I love that Ho-Sang is himself and he isn't afraid to be himself.  While I hope he matures as he gets older I hope he doesn't lose that element of his personality.

Happy Birthday Travis Hamonic

photo by zimbio

Today, Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic is celebrating his 24th birthday.

Last season for the Islanders, Hamonic had 18 points in 69 games.  Prior to the start of last season, Hamonic signed a 7 year extension with the Islanders worth 27 million dollars so Hamonic is locked in for the long haul here.

With the question marks surrounding the Islanders defense heading into camp, they are really depending on Hamonic continuing to develop his game and become better on both sides of the play.  That happening will go a long way in ensuring the Islanders return to the playoffs in the final season at the Coliseum after last seasons major step backwards.

We here at savetheisles would like to wish Hamonic a very Happy Birthday.

Shannon Hogan To Replace Peter Ruttgaizer As Pre/Post Game Host

According to reports, after a couple seasons of being the pre/post game host for the Islanders Peter Ruttgaizer will no longer serve that role for the team.  This season, the role will be filled by Shannon Hogan.  Prior to landing this job with the Islanders, Hogan worked for Fox Sports Detroit.  To get better acquainted with the newest member of Islanders Country, you can follow her on twitter here.

Congratulations and welcome @shannon_hogan, new pre/post game show host for #isles.
— Andy Graziano ™ (@tazman19) August 16, 2014

Bettman's Half Brother Was Advisor In Failed Islanders Sale

According to the New York Post, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman's half brother Jeffrey Pollack was an advisor for Andrew Barroway in his failed attempt to purchase the New York Islanders from Charles Wang for 420 million dollars.  On Monday, Barroway filed suit against Wang claiming that he backed out of an agreement they had made in which Barroway's company NY Ice would've purchased 100% of the Islanders from Wang for 420 million dollars and Wang would've acquired 25% of Barroways company NY Ice.

According to the article, "...Barroway hired Jeffrey Pollack several months ago after reaching a handshake deal to buy the club from owner Charles Wang for 420 million..."  This was Pollack's first time working on the sale of an NHL team the article said.  He previously was an executive for the World Series of Poker and in 2012 helped Robert Pera purchase the Memphis Grizzles NBA team.

If Barroway's lawsuit isn't settled quick, this could make the holidays in the Bettman family pretty awkward.

Isles HOF Coach Al Arbour Battling Dementia

In a recent radio interview, former Islanders hall of fame player and now assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres Bryan Trottier said that his old coach and fellow Islanders hall of fame member Al Arbour is battling dementia.  The exact nature of his condition is unknown.  Arbour is 81 now and will turn 82 later this year.

Arbour is one of the top coaches in the history of the NHL and was behind the bench for the Islanders 4 Stanley Cup titles between 1980 and 1983 as well as their NHL record 19 straight playoff series victories.

We here at savetheisles would like to send well wishes to Arbour and hope to see him at the Coliseum this season.  Get well soon Radar!

New Suitor Interested In Purchasing the Islanders?

According to Katie Strang from ESPN, "...there is at least 1 deep pocketed suitor interested in purchasing the team..."  It has yet to be revealed as to who this mystery person or group is.

It should be very interesting to follow this as more information comes out.

Has Charles Wang Sold The Islanders?

Last week, after months of speculation it was finally revealed that Andrew Barroway would in fact not be purchasing the Islanders after his negotiations with Charles Wang fell apart.  

Today, in court papers filed by Barroway against Wang we learn a lot more about why they fell apart.  One interesting thing is that the papers state that on August 1st Wang informed Barroway that he decided to sell the Islanders to "...other bidders."

Now, does that mean Wang has sold the team to someone else?  Or that he is listening to other people now that his talks with Barroway have fallen apart?  My bet is that it is the latter, but this saga has been so unpredictable that it is anyone's guess.

Charles Wang Being Sued For 10 Million Dollars By Andrew Barroway

Update: After reading portions of the actual complaint, it appears as though Barroway is suing to have his agreement with Wang upheld.  However, if it isn't upheld then he at least wants to get the 10 million dollar breakup fee.  

The Islanders told Newsday that the suit has no merit which shouldn't come as a surprise.

According to multiple reports, Islanders owner Charles Wang is being sued by Andrew Barroway for 10 million dollars.  The suit is based on the fact that Wang had an agreement in place with Barroways company NY Ice to sell them the Islanders for 420 million dollars.  After months on working on the deal, Wang decided to increase his sale price another 128 million dollars totaling 548 million.  It is believed that this change of heart by Wang was directly influenced by the 2 billion dollar sale price of the NBA's LA Clippers.  Barroway refused to increase his offer beyond the price they agreed to.

According to reports, the deal called for Barroways company NY Ice to acquire 100% of the Islanders and Wang's corporations CBW Inc, CBW LP, and CBW LLC would've gotten 25% of Barroways company NY Ice.

Barroway's court papers say that instead of choosing to honor his agreement and commitment with NY Ice as well as his word Wang chose greed.  If you are familiar with Wang's past business practices this shouldn't be a huge surprise.

Andrew Barroway No Longer Negotiating To Purchase Islanders

After months of sale speculation, Newsday is reporting that former Philadelphia lawyer turned hedge fund man Andrew Barroway is no longer negotiating to purchase the Islanders.

It makes sense that the mans patience would run out since it has been clear for a while now that he was just waiting on Wang to make a decision.  It was reported by Chris Botta that he was prepared to purchase 80% of the Islanders from Wang in exchange for 320 million dollars.

ISLES: Source said Philadelphia-based hedge fund manager Andrew Barroway has ceased negotiations to buy team.
— steven marcus (@newsdaymarcus) August 5, 2014

Three Years Later

Today, August 1^st, marks the three year anniversary of the failed referendum vote on August 1^st, 2011 which in my mind signed the Islanders death certificate in Nassau County.

This vote would've given the county a new Coliseum, a minor league baseball stadium, as well as an indoor track and field facility.  The vote was only open to residents of Nassau County because it would've initially raised their taxes, although, in the long run they would've dropped which was something that wasn't well communicated.  The vote wasn't open to any Suffolk county residents.  While I understand that, looking back now with the Islanders ready to embark on their final season at the Coliseum I don't feel it was right to close the vote to Suffolk residents.  While the residents of Suffolk wouldn't have been monetarily affected, something else very valuable to them would be and will be affected.  With no Coliseum, the quality of life of Suffolk residents took a hit as now instead of being able to go to the Coliseum for entertainment they either have to go to New York City or settle for one of the smaller acts that go to Jones Beach or the NYCB Theater in Westbury.  This is especially true for families who won't have the opportunity to go to the circus at the Coliseum anymore or shows like Disney on Ice.

People are now saying like it is a foregone conclusion that once the Islanders leave, Bruce Ratner will come in and renovate the Coliseum and we will get a nicer Coliseum anyway.  Those people seem to forget that Ratners plan still needs to get all the approvals from the politicians.  These are the same politicians that did whatever they could for the last 10 years to block Charles Wang from getting any sort of progress on that front.  The politicians cared more about blocking the opposing political party from getting credit for the progress that developing that area would've made rather than doing what was good for the community which is what they are elected to do.  After going through what we have, why should we think anything will happen regarding development of the Coliseum?  Haven't we been conditioned to believe the worst?

Even if they surprise us and if it does get done, it won’t be up to the dimensions for the NHL so we will be the home of an AHL team possibly the Islanders AHL affiliate the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  While that will be all nice and stuff why do we have to settle for minor league?  We are playing second fiddle to New York City and while understandable in some aspects why can’t we have an identity in this area?  Why can’t we have something that sets us apart, or makes us special?  The Nassau Coliseum provided that for us at one point and we had the opportunity to have that again.  But, the people who are supposed to be in charge of doing what is right for the community and the county let their egos get in the way to the detriment of everyone else.  The need for an identity or focal point on Long Island is one thing Charles Wang repeatedly mentioned during the hearings for the Lighthouse Project before the Town of Hempstead years ago.  While I detest the way Wang runs the Islanders from a hockey point of view, that is one thing I agreed with him wholeheartedly on.

Now we sit here, about six weeks before training camp preparing for the final season at Nassau Coliseum.  What could’ve been a beautiful thriving area of pride for the people of Long Island will likely turn into a cement wasteland.  One day, people who played a part in preventing development there will drive past what will by that time be as said previously simply a barren concrete wasteland with weeds growing everywhere and a boarded up arena.  When driving by, those people will think of what was once there and how it brought Long Islanders together and what could’ve been and maybe then it will hit them that they stood in the way of progress and helping not only that one community but all of Long Island.