It's pretty much a given that Edmonton, Winnipeg Buffalo and the Islanders are the winners in this category yearly. Players vote on it.

I mean it doesn't mean FA won't come. Ladd came after he was given an incredibly stupid bonus heavy contract


- nyisles7

I think that those assumptions were more accurate a few years ago then now. The Isles placement on that list had to do with the NVMC and not ever making the playoffs. Same likely goes for Edmonton. Do you really think that EDM is not a desirable place to go play now? Those "lists" change over time.

I doubt he does it publicly. If anything, he'll have a private discussion with the team and not go public, so he doesn't f**k the Isles over by bending them over a barrel because other teams knows he wants out.
- Jethro09

100% agree

The cup is ours
https://www.nhl.com/islan...ng-with-gomez/c-290225930

I think that those assumptions were more accurate a few years ago then now. The Isles placement on that list had to do with the NVMC and not ever making the playoffs. Same likely goes for Edmonton. Do you really think that EDM is not a desirable place to go play now? Those "lists" change over time.
- Jethro09

I think Edmonton is certainly on the upswing. The Islanders BC is not better for the players, quite the opposite. NVMC was an issue because it needed refurbishment and updating but as far as the players they loved it there. Place was loud and convenient to their homes. Biggest issue was without a new coliseum were were they going out of state etc. with the BC issues has that question been answered? Honestly not really. What if the Belmont Arena isn't approved? Where will the Islanders be in 2 years?
For me and just my opinion, the state of the Islanders is about the same.

The cup is ours
https://www.nhl.com/islan...ng-with-gomez/c-290225930
- Upstate_isles

Gomez has always been an elite defensive player

I think Edmonton is certainly on the upswing. The Islanders BC is not better for the players, quite the opposite. NVMC was an issue because it needed refurbishment and updating but as far as the players they loved it there. Place was loud and convenient to their homes. Biggest issue was without a new coliseum were were they going out of state etc. with the BC issues has that question been answered? Honestly not really. What if the Belmont Arena isn't approved? Where will the Islanders be in 2 years?
For me and just my opinion, the state of the Islanders is about the same.
- nyisles7

The players did not love the NVMC. That building was a major reason why players wouldn't entertain coming to the Isles as free agents. The building was as big a deterrent as the on-ice product. The guys who were on the team would say wonderful things about the NVMC because what else were they going to say? That the arena is a dump?

I've watched dozens of games at the NVMC. As a fan, its a nostalgic place and when people actually showed up and filled it, it got real loud. But that's a fan's perspective. Players are also concerned about amenities. The Coliseum was a minor league building at best. Maybe the players liked the geographic location, but they did not like the building.

The Belmont thing may not work out. But getting back to the original point, those lists of desired and not desired destinations for players change year to year. Winning and chance to join a competitive team trumps all. Think guys flocked to Detroit over the years because they loved the City of Detroit and Joe Louis Arena?

The players did not love the NVMC. That building was a major reason why players wouldn't entertain coming to the Isles as free agents. The building was as big a deterrent as the on-ice product. The guys who were on the team would say wonderful things about the NVMC because what else were they going to say? That the arena is a dump?

I've watched dozens of games at the NVMC. As a fan, its a nostalgic place and when people actually showed up and filled it, it got real loud. But that's a fan's perspective. Players are also concerned about amenities. The Coliseum was a minor league building at best. Maybe the players liked the geographic location, but they did not like the building.

The Belmont thing may not work out. But getting back to the original point, those lists of desired and not desired destinations for players change year to year. Winning and chance to join a competitive team trumps all. Think guys flocked to Detroit over the years because they loved the City of Detroit and Joe Louis Arena?
- Jethro09

I totally agree, Jethro. I don't think the players were saying wonderful things about NVMC when the sewer pipe burst and dumped tons of crap all over their exercise equipment. The building was adequate by 1972 standards, not by today's standards.

The players did not love the NVMC. That building was a major reason why players wouldn't entertain coming to the Isles as free agents. The building was as big a deterrent as the on-ice product. The guys who were on the team would say wonderful things about the NVMC because what else were they going to say? That the arena is a dump?

I've watched dozens of games at the NVMC. As a fan, its a nostalgic place and when people actually showed up and filled it, it got real loud. But that's a fan's perspective. Players are also concerned about amenities. The Coliseum was a minor league building at best. Maybe the players liked the geographic location, but they did not like the building.

The Belmont thing may not work out. But getting back to the original point, those lists of desired and not desired destinations for players change year to year. Winning and chance to join a competitive team trumps all. Think guys flocked to Detroit over the years because they loved the City of Detroit and Joe Louis Arena?
- Jethro09

I agree with pretty much everything you've posted besides this. I believe it was much less of a deterrent for players than you think. The reason players don't want to come here imo is because this orginization has been for quite some time and still is an absolute bush league circus side show. Snow is a (frank)ing clown and the whole world thinks so save for a few fans who do everything to theorize his stupidity but the bottom line is you put a talented product on the ice and players that want to compete will come. Detroit, Chicago, etc have proved that point. All of their arenas were dumps at some point that had top free agents sign with them.

I totally agree, Jethro. I don't think the players were saying wonderful things about NVMC when the sewer pipe burst and dumped tons of crap all over their exercise equipment. The building was adequate by 1972 standards, not by today's standards.
- JohnScammo

Ask them BC or NVMC ?
What would they say? You would be surprised.
Ice was good place was loud, convenient and the exercise Equiptment was shatty any way before the sewer pipe broke an dumped shat on it.
They loved the atmosphere in that building.
Ask a player if you get a chance. Remember how much they loved the pre game skate at BC, so much they rather of had them at Ice works or twin rinks
Remember I'm always wrong so there's that.

The players did not love the NVMC. That building was a major reason why players wouldn't entertain coming to the Isles as free agents. The building was as big a deterrent as the on-ice product. The guys who were on the team would say wonderful things about the NVMC because what else were they going to say? That the arena is a dump?

I've watched dozens of games at the NVMC. As a fan, its a nostalgic place and when people actually showed up and filled it, it got real loud. But that's a fan's perspective. Players are also concerned about amenities. The Coliseum was a minor league building at best. Maybe the players liked the geographic location, but they did not like the building.

The Belmont thing may not work out. But getting back to the original point, those lists of desired and not desired destinations for players change year to year. Winning and chance to join a competitive team trumps all. Think guys flocked to Detroit over the years because they loved the City of Detroit and Joe Louis Arena?
- Jethro09

If you think that BC having insufficient ice making equipment isn't one of the players biggest concerns your crazy. They could give a shat if you can take a piss in 5 minutes Or the food in the Arena is good vs them breaking their neck or getting injured Because of poop ice then I'll just tap out of this discussion.

Ask them BC or NVMC ?
What would they say? You would be surprised.
Ice was good place was loud, convenient and the exercise Equiptment was shatty any way before the sewer pipe broke an dumped shat on it.
They loved the atmosphere in that building.
Ask a player if you get a chance. Remember how much they loved the pre game skate at BC, so much they rather of had them at Ice works or twin rinks
Remember I'm always wrong so there's that.
- nyisles7

Who said anything about BC? The issue was NOT whether BC is better or worse than NVMC. The issue was whether the players liked NVMC. I was agreeing with Jethro, because everything I ever read or heard was negative.........with the possible exception of the arena being loud for big games........and the convenient location which is what Jethro pointed out. The facilities were otherwise substandard.

And you're NOT always wrong. When you agree with me, you're right.

Who said anything about BC? The issue was NOT whether BC is better or worse than NVMC. The issue was whether the players liked NVMC. I was agreeing with Jethro, because everything I ever read or heard was negative.........with the possible exception of the arena being loud for big games........and the convenient location which is what Jethro pointed out. The facilities were otherwise substandard.

And you're NOT always wrong. When you agree with me, you're right.
- JohnScammo

The biggest issue with NVMC was would it ever be renovated and if not where were the Islanders going to ? Kansas Quebec? Not knowing was the biggest issue.
Pretty much the same issue we have now. Where will the Islanders be in 2 years from now. Different arena same issues and uncertainty.

So I'm on a 58 foot sail boat drinking beers and I'm done with this hockey buzz non sense

The biggest issue with NVMC was would it ever be renovated and if not where were the Islanders going to ? Kansas Quebec? Not knowing was the biggest issue.
Pretty much the same issue we have now. Where will the Islanders be in 2 years from now. Different arena same issues and uncertainty.

So I'm on a 58 foot sail boat drinking beers and I'm done with this hockey buzz non sense
- nyisles7

I never sail anything less than 60 feet, but have fun with your dinghy.

I never sail anything less than 60 feet, but have fun with your dinghy.
- JohnScammo

I don't even sail a 6 foot sail fish.

Was invited on a sunset sail so why not. I'm a motor boat guy.

I don't even sail a 6 foot sail fish.

Was invited on a sunset sail so why not. I'm a motor boat guy.
- nyisles7

One piece of advice..... Watch out for the.......... BOOM!

One piece of advice..... Watch out for the.......... BOOM!


- JohnScammo

Swung over my head more than a couple times

Swung over my head more than a couple times
- nyisles7

That was my cock

That was my cock
- Upstate_isles

Meh your cock could reach my ankles little boy

Meh your cock could reach my ankles little boy
- nyisles7

Yea I suppose that's true if it was flacid and I was standing up

Yea I suppose that's true if it was flacid and I was standing up
- Upstate_isles

go to bed!

I don't even sail a 6 foot sail fish.

Was invited on a sunset sail so why not. I'm a motor boat guy.
- nyisles7

Sailing is for sailor boys.

Sailing is for sailor boys.
- Cptmjl

I think 7 is more of the submariner type. You know, 100 men go down, 50 couples come up.

I don't even sail a 6 foot sail fish.

Was invited on a sunset sail so why not. I'm a motor boat guy.
- nyisles7

- eichiefs9

The players did not love the NVMC. That building was a major reason why players wouldn't entertain coming to the Isles as free agents. The building was as big a deterrent as the on-ice product. The guys who were on the team would say wonderful things about the NVMC because what else were they going to say? That the arena is a dump?

I've watched dozens of games at the NVMC. As a fan, its a nostalgic place and when people actually showed up and filled it, it got real loud. But that's a fan's perspective. Players are also concerned about amenities. The Coliseum was a minor league building at best. Maybe the players liked the geographic location, but they did not like the building.

The Belmont thing may not work out. But getting back to the original point, those lists of desired and not desired destinations for players change year to year. Winning and chance to join a competitive team trumps all. Think guys flocked to Detroit over the years because they loved the City of Detroit and Joe Louis Arena?
- Jethro09

The players that played in Long Island loved the coliseum. It was the perception outside of the Isles that had players talking negative about it. The first thing Wang did was completely renovate the locker rooms and the work out area. The player loved it...once they got here..

Barclays.. not so much.