Joe Soriano
O.J. LewisIslander's Wang says NO to chinese trip!
May 24th 2010 19:26
Charles Wang recently cancelled a team trip that would have taken the New York Islanders to China for nine whole days. In addition to consuming some awesome moo shoo, the team was going to host several other non-communist events.
Apparently the logistics that came with getting NHLPA approval were just too much to bear for Wang. One can only imagine the rigors the players union must put you through to complete this kind of trip if Wang was to give up so easily. I mean after all, he has spent the better part of eight years trying to revitalize a downtrodden section of Nassau County to no avail. One can also only assume that the NHLPA threw up hurdles greater than those imposed by Kate Murray and the Town of Hempstead legislative body; but that seems unlikely.
The players union just wants to make sure that there are adequate accommodations for the players and all venues/transportation are safe and secure. In other words, they don’t want the team to run into any unsuspected surprises; like the signing of an injured goalie to a 15 year contract.
Wang’s apparent lack of enthusiasm may in fact be a good thing for Islanders fans. A sale of the team to the Wilpon family (who currently own the NY Mets) might breathe new life into this historic franchise. New life that is desperately needed, even though they had one of the lowest average ages in the NHL last season.
The Islanders haven’t had an exciting moment since John Spano promised to buy the franchise in 1998, and we all remember how that turned out.
Playing in the Old Barn on Hempstead Turnpike takes pride and guts. Neither one has Charles Wang shown since allowing GM Garth Snow to acquire Ryan Smyth in order to make a playoff push in the 2006-2007 season.
While I certainly do not approve of how the Wilpons run the Mets, it stands to reason that the Islanders would become their new favorite puppy.
Islander fans have become used to losing over the years, something that was supposed to disappear with the advent of the salary cap in the NHL. Small market teams were supposed to compete at the same level as big market teams. What’s starting to hit home for fans is, the Islanders are a small market team in a big market.
As much as it pains me to see the Wilpons become the owner of yet another professional team, it may be worth enduring if even for two to three years of puppy love.
Apparently the logistics that came with getting NHLPA approval were just too much to bear for Wang. One can only imagine the rigors the players union must put you through to complete this kind of trip if Wang was to give up so easily. I mean after all, he has spent the better part of eight years trying to revitalize a downtrodden section of Nassau County to no avail. One can also only assume that the NHLPA threw up hurdles greater than those imposed by Kate Murray and the Town of Hempstead legislative body; but that seems unlikely.
Wang’s apparent lack of enthusiasm may in fact be a good thing for Islanders fans. A sale of the team to the Wilpon family (who currently own the NY Mets) might breathe new life into this historic franchise. New life that is desperately needed, even though they had one of the lowest average ages in the NHL last season.
The Islanders haven’t had an exciting moment since John Spano promised to buy the franchise in 1998, and we all remember how that turned out.
Playing in the Old Barn on Hempstead Turnpike takes pride and guts. Neither one has Charles Wang shown since allowing GM Garth Snow to acquire Ryan Smyth in order to make a playoff push in the 2006-2007 season.
Islander fans have become used to losing over the years, something that was supposed to disappear with the advent of the salary cap in the NHL. Small market teams were supposed to compete at the same level as big market teams. What’s starting to hit home for fans is, the Islanders are a small market team in a big market.
As much as it pains me to see the Wilpons become the owner of yet another professional team, it may be worth enduring if even for two to three years of puppy love.
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