FIRST!!!














any habs













rumours

Yeah but what is the literacy rate


- eichiefs9

Let's ask Kaspie.

We went on Presidents' Day - so tickets weren't cheap.

Compared to the Leafs they were still cheap, but they certainly weren't $6.

But if you want to see a corporate sporting event, holy frank, you need to go to the US Open.

And by "need to go" I mean "need to go on somebody else's corporate account."

I've never been to a sporting event before where you get a gin and tonic - in a souvenir glass!
- Atomic Wedgie

Not surprising for the US open, unfortunately I don't have those connections. I just saw on stub hub islanders tickets going for 6$ (before service charges) at the Barkley centre.

I'm wondering if Belmont can come soon enough, though.

At the moment, it's just an idea. How long until you could realistically have shovels in the ground?

Probably a tough question to answer, but have the Isles had any kind of geographic shift of their fanbase? Is it still predominantly Long Islanders not from New York City, or did they have any success in attracting urbanites?

I'm just curious because last year (while staying in the upper west side) I went to an Islanders game (very easy via the subway) and the US Open (an absolute franking nightmare to get to).

I don't think as a tourist I would be all that eager to make the hike out to Belmont, unless there was some super-easy rapid transit option.

Yes, I realize tourists shouldn't be a factor in picking a new location - I'm just curious here.
- Atomic Wedgie

I won't pretend to know how long it will take to have shovels in the ground, but I'm sure that they have been doing plenty of prep work for that while they are awaiting word on the RFP that was submitted for the site.

Geographic fan-shift is definitely a tough one to answer accurately. I am positive that they drummed up some interest from Brooklyn-area people, but (and this is just my opinion) I'd be willing to bet it wasn't a "significant" amount. The Islanders' fanbase will always remain almost wholly on LI.

There is already pre-existing LIRR (Long Island Railroad; for you or anyone who doesn't already know that) infrastructure at Belmont. I've never personally seen it, but I've heard it needs a facelift and maybe some additions to accommodate crowds, but is otherwise OK. Some would strongly debate you on the "ease" of the subway from the UWS to Barclays, but the ride on the LIRR (which would likely consist of Penn Station --> Jamaica --> Belmont) should be just as easy and 10x cleaner/safer than any subway.

There isn't ever going to be a perfect solution for the Islanders here. Belmont isn't perfect, but it's far and away the best option they have. Anyone who thinks they can go back to the Coliseum is insane. Barclays is brutal. But they just dumped around $7M into completely renovating their practice facility (I can't find good pictures but all the off-ice facilities are unbelievably gorgeous) and I can't imaigne Ledecky would have done that if he weren't confident that they were going to be sticking around.

Not surprising for the US open, unfortunately I don't have those connections. I just saw on stub hub islanders tickets going for 6$ (before service charges) at the Barkley centre.
- Alexzanki

Be careful where you sit - some are obstructed views.

And by obstructed, I mean you can't see anything from the hashmarks in.

Let's ask Kaspie.
- gergeswillems

Yeah he really (frank)ed me on that one

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Be careful where you sit - some are obstructed views.

And by obstructed, I mean you can't see anything from the hashmarks in.
- Atomic Wedgie

thanks noted

No way give up HAGG, maybe Sanheim. JVR is old news, and the Flyers are not in it to win it. Hextall wants young guns, no to re-visit mistakes from past...

There isn't ever going to be a perfect solution for the Islanders here. Belmont isn't perfect, but it's far and away the best option they have. Anyone who thinks they can go back to the Coliseum is insane. Barclays is brutal. But they just dumped around $7M into completely renovating their practice facility (I can't find good pictures but all the off-ice facilities are unbelievably gorgeous) and I can't imaigne Ledecky would have done that if he weren't confident that they were going to be sticking around.
- eichiefs9

I realize you have a much more informed opinion on this than me, but from the single, solitary game I saw there - it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

Yes, it was very weird to have the scoreboard over the blueline. Yes, incredibly weird to have one net basically up against a wall.

But as soon as the puck dropped, from our seats (upper bowl, between the blue lines) it was pretty much like watching a hockey game in every other generic, modern arena in the NHL.

The only legit complaint I had was the concession lines were brutal - I missed about a half a period getting a couple of beers and a couple of drinks for my daughters.

What would it take to get Ekblad?

JVR + a bunch.... [Kapanen?Soshnikov? 1st round pick(s)]

I would do almost anything to get Ekblad on the Leafs. All the rumors swirling about Marner a week or two ago... Ekblad is the only one I would consider trading Marner for...

If I were Florida I would NEVER even consider moving him at all... but I can dream... lol PLEASE LOU werk-your-majic

I realize you have a much more informed opinion on this than me, but from the single, solitary game I saw there - it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

Yes, it was very weird to have the scoreboard over the blueline. Yes, incredibly weird to have one net basically up against a wall.

But as soon as the puck dropped, from our seats (upper bowl, between the blue lines) it was pretty much like watching a hockey game in every other generic, modern arena in the NHL.

The only legit complaint I had was the concession lines were brutal - I missed about a half a period getting a couple of beers and a couple of drinks for my daughters.
- Atomic Wedgie

I meant more that it was brutal for the players. The inferior piping (PVC instead of steel) makes the playing surface garbage. I can't remember the quote but Clutterbuck pretty much flat-out blamed it for Tavares' hamstring injury at the end of last season. The players obviously hate it. The fact that some (or all, I'm not sure really) of them take the train on game-days is cool and all for the fans, but it seems hilariously stupid that professional athletes are taking public transportation to the morning skate and home after the games.

It's fine to watch a game there. The obstructed views are dumb but it's pretty easy to just not buy a ticket in the seats that are very clearly denoted as having obstructed views. Anyone that really cares about the scoreboard being off-center is just looking for stuff to complain about.

edit: The commute is awful for fans living out on Long Island. The further east you go the longer and worse the trip into BK gets. I just moved back out to Suffolk County last year and last season I only made it to one game. When I was living in Queens for 2 years I went to probably 7-8 games per year and even more than that when they were playing at the Coliseum. I'd be surprised if I made it to more than two games this year. I might not even make it to two games.

What would it take to get Ekblad?

JVR + a bunch....
- Bleedz_Blue[Kapanen?Soshnikov? 1st round pick(s)]

I would do almost anything to get Ekblad on the Leafs. All the rumors swirling about Marner a week or two ago... Ekblad is the only one I would consider trading Marner for...

If I were Florida I would NEVER even consider moving him at all... but I can dream... lol PLEASE LOU werk-your-majic

we are not getting ekblad; especially in package for jvr.

i have no idea why florida would even trade for jvr.... i mean, unless they thought they could send yandle our way.

Bet you laughed that hard when you heard the JVR for Luke Schenn rumours!


- .HOHO.

Well according to Tanner, Luke Schenn would have likely played for Team Canada if he had played in the 90's. Same set of skills as Adam Foote. Seems like a fair trade for JVR.

I meant more that it was brutal for the players. The inferior piping (PVC instead of steel) makes the playing surface garbage. I can't remember the quote but Clutterbuck pretty much flat-out blamed it for Tavares' hamstring injury at the end of last season. The players obviously hate it. The fact that some (or all, I'm not sure really) of them take the train on game-days is cool and all for the fans, but it seems hilariously stupid that professional athletes are taking public transportation to the morning skate and home after the games.

It's fine to watch a game there. The obstructed views are dumb but it's pretty easy to just not buy a ticket in the seats that are very clearly denoted as having obstructed views. Anyone that really cares about the scoreboard being off-center is just looking for stuff to complain about.
- eichiefs9

Ah yes, good point.

I totally forgot about that one.

Yeah he really (frank)ed me on that one

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- eichiefs9

Ihad failed to

Well according to Tanner, Luke Schenn would have likely played for Team Canada if he had played in the 90's. Same set of skills as Adam Foote. Seems like a fair trade for JVR.
- EyeJay

luke did get traded for JVR

edit: The commute is awful for fans living out on Long Island. The further east you go the longer and worse the trip into BK gets. I just moved back out to Suffolk County last year and last season I only made it to one game. When I was living in Queens for 2 years I went to probably 7-8 games per year and even more than that when they were playing at the Coliseum. I'd be surprised if I made it to more than two games this year. I might not even make it to two games.
- eichiefs9

I thought one of the benefits of the BC was that you could take a LIRR to the station across the street?

Wouldn't that make it ridiculously easy to get to games?

I thought one of the benefits of the BC was that you could take a LIRR to the station across the street?

Wouldn't that make it ridiculously easy to get to games?
- Atomic Wedgie

Easy, yes. But incredibly long. You have to transfer at Jamaica and the trains from Jamaica to the Barclays stop are obscenely packed. Also, keep in mind that for a fan living out in Suffolk, like me, that works in Suffolk (unlike me) you'd almost have to leave work early to get to the game in time for puck drop. All-in it's almost two hours of commuting each way. I'm including travel time/parking to/at your local LI train station, time spent waiting for your connecting train in Jamaica, etc... in that number, for what that's worth. If there are delays, forget about it...it's absurd.

So for a 7pm start, you have to be leaving by 5ish otherwise you're strolling in during the middle of the 1st period. Not everyone can manage to get out of work in time for that. However, the bulk of the Isles fanbase is in Nassau and travel time from there isn't as bad, but it's still a strain on anyone who works later than 5pm. The travel time also makes it tough to bring kids on school nights. If you figure a 7pm game that ends in regulation is over around 9:30 or so, that means you aren't getting a train out of BK until probably 10:15 and not getting home until after midnight. It's hard to do during the week.

It's not a "difficult" commute anywhere by train/subway around here. It's a matter of time, congestion, and how much you can deal with your personal space being invaded by a loud, disgusting stranger.

yeah, i could think of 6-7 teams easily ahead of that.

but it seems a little crazy to pick miami as place you wouldn't want to live.
- Tumbleweed

Over the next 6/7 years Florida has a lot of potential as well.

And based on places to live and tax money it's one of the best. Easily 15 teams I'd put on a no trade list right now before them

we are not getting ekblad; especially in package for jvr.

i have no idea why florida would even trade for jvr.... i mean, unless they thought they could send yandle our way.
- Tumbleweed

Only way is if he accepted a contract with the trade.

luke did get traded for JVR
- Alexzanki

Grizzly Adams DID have a beard.

JVR to the Panthers makes no sense. They don't look anything like a playoff team, and I can't imagine Tallon sending the Leafs anything for an expiring contract... Only way a JVR trade for an upgrade on D happens is for a swap of pending UFAs...

Grizzly Adams DID have a beard.
- gergeswillems

Hey Ek did you hear any more on Carey Price banging the Nanny?

A year of JVR's services for a top prospect like Hanifan or Sanheim!!!

Theres no way you believe this rumour right?! Thats insanity!