Report: Islanders, Mangano Met About Possible Return To Coliseum

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The red-hot Islanders are set to resume action following the All-Star break, but their play on the ice is the last thing on many fans' minds.

That's because nagging arena issues just won't go away. The idea of relocation is apparently again on the table.

On Monday, a report surfaced stating that Barclays Center is moving toward evicting the Islanders from their lease in the not-too-distant future, perhaps in two years. Bloomberg reported the arena no longer sees hosting NHL games as financially feasible.

The Islanders are currently third-worst in NHL attendance, averaging 12,828 fans per game. That's down from 13,626 last season — their first at Barclays — and down from 15,334 — their last year at Nassau Coliseum.

MORE: Report: Barclays Center Preparing To Boot Islanders

LISTEN: Boomer & Carton: What The Heck Is Going On In Brooklyn?

Needless to say, the Bloomberg report caused panic among Islanders fans. Though new co-owners Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin have reportedly looked into a potential new arena in either Queens or on the property at Belmont Park, nothing is even remotely close to imminent. So when the report came out, a lot of fans got very worried in a hurry.

Where would the team play if or when it is booted from Brooklyn?

Well, the plot thickened a bit more on Monday night when Newsday published an exclusive stating the Islanders and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano had a meeting in mid-November to discuss the possible return of the franchise to the Coliseum, the team's home for its first 43 years of existence.

More specific details of that meeting were not revealed, short of the fact that Ledecky attended.

Mangano said on Tuesday in Albany he's confident that the Islanders would be satisfied with the facility if they choose to return.

"I have met with both Barclays and the Islanders and strongly believe there is a path for the Islanders to return to the new Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where the best sight lines in NHL remain. "(There are) improved, attractive facilities for fans and athletes and room to add seats to accommodate the Islanders. While the decision remains with the Islanders, we believe Long Island fans will make the Islanders successful in the New Coliseum."

Also on Tuesday, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Anthony J. Santino issued a statement saying he's all for the Islanders returning to the Coliseum and will do everything he can to make it happen.

"Recent news reports have raised the possibility of an early termination of the lease agreement that provides for the Islanders Hockey Team to play NHL games at the Barclays Center. In response to these news accounts, I will be reaching out to Mr. Ledecky and Mr. Malkin of the Islanders organization to convey my sincere and enthusiastic desire to facilitate the return of the Islanders Hockey Team to Nassau County," Santino said. "The Islanders' Stanley Cup dynasty of the early 1980's is part of Long Island's identity and is among my great sports memories. I stand ready to lend my staff and offices to work towards an exhilarating and triumphant Islanders homecoming."

Santino told 1010 WINS, "We would lay out the red carpet to bring the team back to its historic home. It's where they belong."

Long Island Association President Kevin Law said it's a win-win.

"The Islanders belong at the Nassau Coliseum," Law told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall. "It is where their fan base is, there will be a brand new arena there come April 1, Long Islanders and the business community will also support it."

Longtime fans on Long Island also said they'd welcome the team back to its historic home.

"Now that there's nobody there, it's kind of lonely," said Chris Metz, of Coliseum Deli. "It would be good for fans. I think they're missing it."

"You would see ticket sales double and triple because the people are now going to be hungry for it," said Frank Borelli.

E.J. Martin used to go to the games, but hasn't been since the team moved in 2015.

"They are from Long Island and they should be on Long Island," she said. "I wouldn't go in to Barclays to see it, not because of Barclays just because it's far."

"It's a moment to be a proud Nassau County resident, when you have a professional sports team right down the block," said Courtney Secada. "The couple times that they were in the playoffs, the excitement -- it's exciting, the county is excited, people are excited. It's just a different atmosphere."

The Coliseum is set to open in April following a $260 million renovation. It has been downsized to roughly 13,000 seats, which the NHL would almost certainly never approve. However, it is believed the arena has the ability to add several thousand more seats if necessary.

The NHL told CBS2's Ali Bauman on Tuesday there's no "minimum capacity number," but that other factors determine whether an arena is "NHL worthy," such as seat capacity, locker room facilities and technical standards.

The Islanders had no comment on the Nassau Coliseum report, CBS2 reported.

MORE: Islanders Give Goalie Greiss 3-Year Contract Extension

As for the ongoing acrimony between the Islanders and Barclays Center, the team has clear problems with several of the arena's flaws. It was not built with hockey in mind, so obstructed views exist and players have complained about poor ice conditions, an issue that is related to the building's pipe system. Coupled with past angst over the loss of in-building traditions following the move from Nassau and the NBA's Nets getting first priority when it comes to the schedule, the numerous issues have created a significant disconnect between the sides.

Newsday's Jim Baumbach clarified the lease situation on Monday night, stating a timetable that the arena and team will likely adhere to as dates for out clauses approach. Though the lease is for 25 years, the Isles can opt out after next season, while Barclays can escape after the 2018-19 season.

Baumbach said despite Barclays' reported tough talk, what it may ultimately want is a renegotiated lease. Currently, the arena is supposed to pay the Islanders $53.5 million in revenue per season. Officials likely want that amount reduced, and both sides are bound contractually to engage in meaningful renegotiation before either side can opt out.

So, expect at least another year of this kind of posturing. Ultimately, however, it will be up to Ledecky and Malkin to figure out a solution, especially since NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles that the Islanders' owners are "committed" to the New York market.

Relocation elsewhere, it is believed, would be a last resort.

The Islanders will be back out on Barclays Center ice on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals. A 6-1-1 streak has vaulted New York within five points of the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, with 35 games to play.