An intriguing piece of news broke thanks to Islanders’ statistician Eric Hornick. According to Nick Kypreos, the Islanders and Barclays Center have begun negotiating a new deal.
CitiField, Belmont, and Hartford.
These are some of the locations that have been thrown around since the news circulated in December. But this week new developments have been made in regards to contract talks between Brooklyn and the Islanders.
The relationship that seemed dead on both sides was reinvigorated once more, and it’s possible both sides arrange a new deal before the initial opt-out date of January 2018.
Business Tactics
Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin have had a busy first year as Islanders owners. Since taking full control of the team, Ledecky has been spotted on numerous occasions speaking to prospective Team President’s and it even included a meeting with Fred Wilpon (New York Mets owner) and Gary Bettman (NHL commissioner).
Whether or not any ground seriously broke will remain a mystery, or it could be that fielding new arena offers were a negotiating ploy to get the Barclays Center to be more lenient on some offers. Either way, talks with the Barlcays Center have picked up regarding the future of the Islanders in Brooklyn.
It’s important to note as well that the Islanders do not have to officially re-sign with Brooklyn long-term. The clause in the contract between the two states that a new deal must be negotiated in “good-faith”.
This could be relevant to drum up conversation only to announce plans somewhere else next year. Only time will tell what Ledecky and Malkin’s intentions are, but it will be interesting to follow for the foreseeable future.