Islanders focused on Belmont Park arena, no backup plan in place
The New York Islanders are all in on Belmont Park.
In September, the Islanders submitted a proposal to build an arena at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., and the club remains hopeful that the bid will be approved.
"We think we have something that really will galvanize the community in a very positive way," Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky told Jim Baumbach of Newsday. "It will galvanize the fan base and we think it's a tremendous opportunity for the Long Island area to have a world-class, really state-of-the-art arena."
The Islanders have spent the past three seasons at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, a 2012-built facility that was originally designed for the NBA's Nets, meaning great views for basketball fans but poor sight lines on hockey nights.
The Islanders moved to Brooklyn after playing out of the antiquated Nassau Coliseum since 1972. While issues have occurred at the Barclays Center, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has ruled out a return to Long Island.
The Islanders can end their current lease agreement as soon as this offseason, while the Barclays Center has the same option following the 2018-19 campaign.
As for Belmont Park, the Islanders aren't the only team wanting to build a new stadium at the site. There is also interest from the New York City FC, a Major League Soccer club partially owned by MLB's Yankees.
There is no timeline for when the Belmont Park proposal will be approved, but Islanders ownership remains hopeful. Ledecky also added a "Plan B" isn't in place should the Belmont Park plan be unsuccessful, but noted ownership has no intention of leaving New York.
"We want to be crystal clear that we love New York and we love the metro New York area," Ledecky said. "We want to stay in the New York area and Belmont Park is the place for us."
In February, Connecticut governor Dannel Malloy invited the Islanders to use the XL Center as a temporary, or even permanent, home. The XL Center is owned by the City of Hartford and is the former home of the since-relocated Whalers.
Where the Islanders ultimately play could also be a significant factor in the future plans of captain John Tavares, who can become an unrestricted free agent in July.