Reader Email

I got an email today from a good friend in Mr. Michael Elves. Michael runs a blog call Ear To The Sound, a fantastic music blog that features a lot of independent and lesser-known musical tidbits. Michael is the program director at UMFM 101.5, the University of Manitoba's student-run radio station. He is also a huge hockey fan, and regularly reads my blog... so he tells me. Mike is a new dad - congratulations, buddy! - so his time is limited, but he sent me a great hockey article today via email about the New York Islanders' plight on Long Island when it comes to getting Charles Wang's Lighthouse Project off the ground.

Scott Reeves, a writer at Minyanville.com, penned a sobering view as to why the Islanders might be doomed when it comes to even buying a box of black pens for their accountants. Reeves lists the Islanders as an "At Risk Team" in his article, and he may be right based on a number of factors.

First off, the $3.7 billion price tag hanging on the Lighthouse Project in this day of closing banks, foreclosures, and stimulus packages might be a little on the outrageous side. While Charles Wang has committed to paying half of the cost of this out of his own pocket, that leaves the three levels of government with a $1.85 billion bill. And I'm not too sure that anyone in the state of New York or in Washington, DC is too excited about that invoice.

Secondly, there aren't that many fans on or around Long Island that care about the Islanders. This is a team that last won a Stanley Cup in 1983 - 26 years ago. The last won an NHL Playoff series in 1993 - 16 years ago. They've traded away talent over and over again, and have little to nothing to show for it. If you're an Islanders fan - and there aren't many left - it's been a long time since you have something to be positive about. And this problem starts at the top of the management hierarchy.

However, there are some positives amongst all the dark clouds. John Tavares is your first highlight and the new cornerstone of the Islanders. Let me be clear, though: he's not going to right this ship in one season. Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey, and Bruno Gervais are the foundation of this team. If GM Garth Snow is serious about rebuilding the Islanders, this is Year One of the Five-Year Rebuilding Plan. The youthful talent is starting to come around. Much like the building Los Angeles Kings and now-successful Pittsburgh Penguins, it will take time to mold these youngsters into a competitive, successful team.

Secondly, Chris Botta of the fantastic Islanders Point Blank blog reports that New York State Governor David A. Paterson is throwing his support behind the Lighthouse Project as the August 4 hearing with the Town of Hempstead nears. This is a huge boost for the Wang-Rechler team as they get the support from the state government in their project. While there is no guarantee that this will push the project through, his support does carry significant weight for the proceedings.

Islanders fans have had many reasons to hang their heads over the last 15 years. However, it appears there may be sunlight peeking over the horizon after seeing this franchise stuck in what seemed like eternal darkness. While I'm not suggesting that the Islanders are out of the woods yet in their fight to become profitable, there are breaks in the trees.

If there is still hope in Islanders fans, there is a chance that the Islanders can be moved off the endangered species list. But it will take time to right the ship.

How much longer are the fans of the Islanders willing to wait?

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!