Gary Bettman To Attend The Isles Home Opener Because Duhhh
KFC Editors Note: This is Connor, our new Isles blogger. Formerly ran NYIslesBlog.com. You can find him on @IslesBlog. I’ll still be doing all the fun bandwagon blogs and what not, but this team is too good now. They deserve a real writer with real insight so you’ve got your boy
Newsday – NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday he plans to be in the house for the team’s first regular-season game in Brooklyn, after years at the center of the team’s long, winding road out of Nassau County. “I’m generally in places where something special is happening,” Bettman said after appearing on a panel with former Islander and Ranger Pat LaFontaine and former Ranger Mike Richter. When it was suggested to Bettman that the game should be extra-enticing because it will be against the reigning Stanley Cup champion, he laughed and said, “You think that was an accident?
Hell fucking yeah it’s something special.
Look, I will miss the Coliseum as much as the next guy. I’ve spent a vast, vast majority of my childhood there, had some of my best times there, and, judge all you want, even left a few drunken tears on the ground when I walked out for the last time. But the move to Brooklyn was so desperately needed it’s almost idiotic to argue. Brand new arena in a huge, untapped market, and guaranteed money in the Isles pockets? Come on, it’s the perfect situation.
This marks the beginning of a new era for the team; Johnny T is finally being recognized as one of the league’s best [‘sup Rags fans in the comment section] coming off a year where an empty net goal kept him from winning the Art Ross. Strome is ready to have a breakout year, Leddy and Boychuk are here to stay, and Halak is doing Halak things all over the Metro. This team is on the brink of their cup window opening and the new arena is just a way of kicking things off in style.
As far as Bettman being in attendance, it was a pretty much foregone conclusion. This is big for the NHL as well as the Metropolitan area, so his nose needs to be all over the event. What’s good for business is good for Gary, simple as that.
It’s a beautiful sunny day in July, and all I’m thinking about is stealing 2 from the defending cup champs to kick off the hockey season. See ya’ll in October.
(via Newsday)