New York Islanders: 5 things the Isles completely wasted this season

The New York Islanders announced a franchise-saving new arena in Belmont Park set to open as the new home of the team, but the hype around that was quickly nullified.

When it comes to rooting for the New York Islanders, there is just about one thing left to boast about and it is nostalgia. All those teams in the 80’s, four straight Stanley Cups, the Nassau Coliseum. So, I will not be bashing the Nassau Coliseum. I get it but disagree with the concept.

The Islanders announced their new arena. The hype was great and almost everyone was happy. But the team began plummeting down the East and then the relationship with Barclays Center became even rockier.

The new arena in Belmont is years away and the team will finally have a state of the art home. But it needs time before it opens so the Islanders are literally going to have multiple home arenas the next few seasons.

That is an awful idea. Yes, it’s good to get the heart of Long Island back into the mix in terms of watching the Isles in person but they will also alienate any true fans in Brooklyn and will only be half in on both places.

No, Barclays Center is not good for hockey. Yes, the building most known for being called Nassau Coliseum is dilapidated. But how can the die-hard Isles fans who will follow this team no matter what be pumped for a new arena that is years away when they are dreading splitting arenas in the meantime?

It is really tough to do. Obviously, the new arena in Belmont Park is huge and will always be in the back of the minds of Islander people. But, I am dreading the “two homes” experiment.

That alone wastes the new arena hype and therefore another thing about this Islanders season.