Can Tavares Save The Islanders?
- Thursday, July 2, 2009 1:22 PM
- Written By: Josh Marks
The woeful New York Islanders recently selected Canadian phenom John Tavares as the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft. While the franchise tag has already been stamped on the Gretzky-like goal scorer, he might help the Isles do more than just win games. Tavares might help keep the hockey team on Long Island. A lot of weight on the shoulders of an 18-year-old from Mississauga, Ontario, eh?
The Islanders have been playing their home games in Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, since 1972 and the arena is starting to show its age. The Coliseum is currently the third oldest arena in the NHL after Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena and NYC's Madison Square Garden. (The Penguins are getting a new arena, Consol Energy Center, set to open for the 2010-2011 season.) The arena also has the smallest capacity without standing room.
So, the familiar story is repeated again: the Isles owner Charles Wang is threatening to move the team unless his redevelopment plan of the 158-acre Coliseum site is approved by the town of Hempstead.
The "Lighthouse Project" has already been approved by Nassau County and an environmental impact review has been completed. Wang is just waiting for Hempstead to approve a change in land zoning. If approved, construction is likely to begin in 2010.
Which brings me back to Tavares. If he lives up to the hype surrounding him and turns the Isles into playoff contenders again, and just as importantly fills seats and creates a buzz, then there is less of a chance Wang will move the team to Hamilton, Winnipeg or Kansas City (the Isles will play an exhibition game in Kansas City, which has rattled the nerves of some long-time Islanders fans).
Representatives from Hempstead must have taken notice of the media attention focused on Long Island after the Isles drafted Tavares. Heck, Islanders fans even protested in support of a new arena back in February.
It is undeniable that one player can turn around the fortunes of a struggling franchise. Look at how Wayne Gretzky put Southern California on the hockey map and eventually paved the way for Sun Belt franchises such as Phoenix (I know, bad example). Or how Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin have revived the Penguins and Capitals.
Wang wants an answer from Hempstead by October. Traffic is the biggest concern for Hempstead supervisor Kate Murray. She recently joined Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and Sen. Charles Schumer to press for federal transportation funding to deal with traffic issues. Wang recently met with Murray and Suozzi and sounded a more optimistic tone in regards to keeping the team on Long Island.
Perhaps he should bring Tavares to a town council meeting to make the pitch. He is the best reason to ignite the Lighthouse project.
Otherwise, how does the Kansas City Islanders sound?
