Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Islanders Being Pursued by Hartford to Relocate

By Nolan Rich

Apr 24, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; The New York Islanders salute their fans after defeating the Florida Panthers in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Barclays Center. The Islanders defeated the Panthers 2-1 to win the series four games to two. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; The New York Islanders salute their fans after defeating the Florida Panthers in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Barclays Center. The Islanders defeated the Panthers 2-1 to win the series four games to two. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New York Islanders are in just their second season at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, but both the team and the arena have discussed terminating the lease.

It appears that the question isn’t if, but when the New York Islanders will need to find a new place to find home.  While the Islanders have been looking for solutions on both Long Island and in Queens, a new and surprising option as emerged.

The city of Hartford has become a surprising suitor after Governor Daniel Malloy and the city’s mayor Luke Bronin sent a letter to team ownership offering the XL Center as a new home for the team. The city has not had an NHL franchise since 1997, when the Hartford Whalers moved to Raleigh to become the Carolina Hurricanes.

The letter was adamant that the $250 Million renovation proposal to the over forty-year old XL Center would make it a top-notch NHL facility. Governor Malloy told the ownership that “This is a ready market anxious for an NHL team, eager to fill seats, buy merchandise, and support your team.”

Despite this offer, the Islanders were quick to confirm that they will be playing next season in Brooklyn and released the following statement:

“The public letter that the Connecticut Governor’s office released earlier today was the first we had heard of the news. We are thrilled to be playing this season in front of our passionate New York Islanders fan base at Barclays Center, with the goal of making the playoffs. We look forward to another great year of New York Islanders hockey at Barclays Center next season.”

While the Islanders coming to Connecticut may be a dream for Hartford Whaler fans, there is a lot that needs to happen for that dream to become a reality.  However, the Islanders have spent the past two decades looking for a permanent state of the art facility and if Connecticut can provide one, it gives the team another option. While this could be used in favor of getting a new facility on Long Island or in New York, the team at least has a backup plan if things do not improve in Brooklyn.

Next: Top 5 Draft Picks in Last 10 Years for Isles

For Hartford hockey fans, they at least can now dream of a possible return of the Whalers as the city and state have taken a big step toward NHL hockey. As for the Islanders, the plan is still to get a new arena in New York.

However, there is now a plan b.

Home/New York Islanders