The push for a new Islanders arena needs more cowbell

Big difference, Atlanta has never shown they can support a team and they've had 2 chances, Edmonton has. talk to players who have played there to get some perspective.

You fight for markets like Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Edmonton because you know hockey isn't just an afeterthought. Judging alone by ticket sales is ridiculous, how were Atlanta's TV numbers, radio numbers? I'll guarantee you Edmontons were just fine. They never lost interest in hickey in Edmonton, apart a SMALL hardcore fanbase there has never been interest. You can throw Miami into that mix as well

 

Atlanta has also never had a team win anything, so there was no reason for a wider fan base to become invested in the team. And I don't mean win a Cup - I mean like.... get to the second round of the playoffs once ever 6-7 years. If you field a perpetual loser when you are an expansion franchise, no one will come after the new-and-shiny wears off.

And again, the Oilers came within hours of being moved to Houston. That doesn't sound "just fine" to me. To the credit of the NHL (for helping them stay there) and both ownership groups since, the problem has been rectified and it's now again one of the league's stronger markets. But to pretend the franchise has been completely healthy throughout its existence is glossing over a very significant chunk of it's history.

Any market, save maybe two (Montreal and Toronto), can become an Atlanta-like quagmire.

 

Attendance wise yes, but not interest wise. The two are not even remotely the same.

Edmonton leaving and I know how close they were had very little to do with the fans.

 

At least if the Edmonton Oilers had moved to Houston, they could have kept their name and it wouldn't have looked stupid.

 

Not if Bud Adams had anything to say about it. He probably kept the rights to the name.

 

Cue Bill Murray. Even though it makes sense, I think it still qualifies as dogs and cats living together.

Rangers urge voters to support Isles arena referendum.

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/27694626/30951843

 

The Rangers would rather have the Islanders in Uniondale than Brooklyn.

 

Different sports - it shouldn't matter.

Why is exactly why the Islanders should move and become the Brooklyn Dodgers.

 

Really though, in the macho world of the NHL, do you really want to be known as a dodger in anything?

 

With 19% reporting, no votes are leading by a 3:2 margin. Heard turnout was low and there was some storms that may have kept people from voting in the afternoon.

 

Start spreading the news, they're leaving... by 2015?

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/story/15384822/long-island-voters-reject-isles-400m-arena-plan