this team’s future home will be alongside another blue and orange sporting franchise…where there is plenty of access to mass transit.

The Islanders are in a GREAT hockey market

Only when and if the Islanders move towards the city will they be in a “great” hockey market. Currently the Islanders are 3rd of the 3 teams in the NY area. If anything, the Isles are a small team market, being carried on TV by a company who’s focus is not on the Islanders, but the true “big Market” team, the Rags…
  Speaking of TV, the three major networks don’t cover the Isles with any one reporter, they just report the score and make smart remarks at how bad they are. I cannot say anything about Long Island’s channel 12 as it isn’t carried in Queens.
  I am one of the few people that suggest the team move next to Citi Field. Wang & Co. may have to buy the land or pay rent on it. After Wang & Co. build their dream hockey paradise, they will only pay taxes to the city, state & fed. With the County of Nassau, Town of Hempstead and Village of Uniondale dragging their collective feet on a deal that was proposed many years ago, I wouldn’t be surprised if the team moved. Along with the SMG deal. (how did i forget that!) To parody a famous Tom Hanks movie, “Run Wang Run” Leave the NVMC to its occasional concerts and fabulous home shows. LOL

Kansas City or another city is my worst fear. As eccentric as Wang could be, If he sold the team, then the new owner may move the team.
  In regarding to needing the NHL’s approval, The team’s name can remain the same as they will still be on the island. Because the Islander’s paid off the Rags when the team was created, there would be no payment necessary.
   A: The city doesn’t need a convention center
   B: Wang & Co. can include a convention center is their project.
  In previous years, the republicans and democrats have used MSG. No reason why the new arena couldn’t draw these conventions. Lord knows there are enough hotels in the Laguardia and JFK airport areas.

Those are three huge questions. I’m not too worried about #3 (NHL approval), but #1 and #2 make me nervous. I do believe Wang wants to do right by the Islanders though; he’s just a little … unpredictable.

K.C. types don’t make me too nervous: I suspect most potential owners would look at this situation and think their best shot at ROI is in New York — particularly closer to the city. But weird stuff can happen, and as we’ve seen with Balsillie, a determined potential owner can create a lot of friction in a hurry.

You just know Wang isn’t going to be thrilled. Wang has all along asked for the land…not any money. A tax break? Maybe.
 The area by Citi Field, bordered by Willits, Roosevelt, Northern Blvd. and the river would give Wang what he wants. I don’t know the acreage, but it may be smaller than the NVMC parking lot.
  But as newer arenas are being built, parking has been included as an extension to the arena—See Buffalo’s arena.
  I’m sure if the city wanted to build a convention center Wang could include one. Along with residences and shops. Within the arena, there could also be team training areas.
  The transportation issues have been discussed, giving New Yorkers and island people access to the arena through multiple roadways.

Obviously the possibility exists that Wang asked for more then what he wanted when it comes to the Lighthouse Project. I would expect anytime your going in front of a board like this you would ask them for more then what you need, giving you a starting point in negotiations above the line your willing to settle for.

With the team taking steps forward on the Ice, hopefully Wang doesn’t need every one of the additions in the Lighthouse project in order for the Islanders to make money.

I mean don’t the artists renditions of projects always include a lot more then what ends up there in reality? Unless of course your the Dallas Cowboys and you can spend 1.2 Billion on a stadium.

You have to understand alot of “IF’s” fly around the Islander’ fans mind.
  The team hasn’t improved as much as we have expected. There have been more fall backs to the old ways than any improvement.
   Wang and the arena. I’m sure someone could write ten thousand words on the subject, but the fact is almost everything associated with it is uncertain.
   For instance. What happens when every town village and county committee turns him down?
Will Wang & Co Strap his plans? Will he say forget this, and sell the team? Or will he keep the team, and move? Will he the team, and the new owner move the team?
    Those are just the worries about Wang and his lighthouse plan. The team should also be worried about.
  Such as: Can we trade some players that haven’t done as well for something? Anything? Will we end up bad enough for a decent draft number? Then, can the image the Isles project to everyone in the league be good enough to bring a name player in FA that isn’t just playing til he retires in a year?
   God only knows. Wang didn’t let on during his interview what he might do. But any and all of the above things could happen.

   I have enough gray hairs. I’ve seen good and bad Islanders teams. Maybe we are drama queens or worry-wort’s LOL. But we care. And isn’t that what it’s all about?

There you go…That’s the spirit. Let ToH think they can cut Wang’s Lighthouse down to a strip mall. And after ten years, the ToH says whats held everything up is that Wang & Co. didn’t pay for the environmental study? BS.
   The Democrats waited til the Republicans were out to pull this crap.

Change at Woodside for the old Shea Stadium station! Lets Go!

With the right will on both sides, they could probably get it done by 2015. Some argue that Brooklyn would be better because they’ve already cleared some of the hurdles for the Nets.