Deserted Islanders: Charles Wang's Wilting Franchise

Filed under: Islanders

If the last month has been one of the worst months in franchise history for the New York Islanders, then you could probably call Sunday the worst day of one of the worst months.

The franchise that can never get out of its own way didn't do anything terribly wrong or make any horrible mistakes off the ice today. However, it was the backlash of all its errors from the past couple of months that finally started to show through as fans and media alike showed their apathy and disdain for the way the team is being run.

It all started Sunday morning when Larry Brooks of the New York Post, a well respected journalist, dedicated his entire "Slapshots" column to asking the NHL to take control of the Islanders, as the league has done in Phoenix. It's an impassioned plea and may have resonated with fans even if it may seem an extreme idea. He wrote:

"With the Board of Governors convening (Monday) in West Palm Beach, Fla., it is time for Gary Bettman to declare the Islanders are in a State of Emergency and the NHL will simply not allow the current ownership to maintain the franchise as currently neglected.

"Charles Wang is not getting his Lighthouse. That does not give him the right to act as the equivalent of a slumlord for the remaining four years of his team's lease at Nassau Coliseum, an arena that was hockey's big stage three decades ago but now stands as a living tomb haunted by memories."

That's some strong verbiage coming from a man who is a heavyweight in the hockey journalism field. Agree or not with Brooks, the point is not only crystal clear but also true that the team has sunk to levels not seen since prior to Charles Wang's takeover in 2000.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/05/deserted-islanders-charles-wangs-wilting-franchise/

Alessandro Nesta Alex Alexandre Pato Andrea Pirlo Andres Iniesta