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New York Islanders: Top 5 Moves by New Ownership

UNIONDALE, NY - OCTOBER 22: New York Islanders partners Scott Malkin (L) and Jon Ledecky (R) answer reporters questions during a press conference at Nassau Coliseum on October 22, 2014 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY - OCTOBER 22: New York Islanders partners Scott Malkin (L) and Jon Ledecky (R) answer reporters questions during a press conference at Nassau Coliseum on October 22, 2014 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 12: Equipment belonging to the New York Islanders is packed up and headed back to the Nassau Coliseum following the team’s first ever practice at the Barclays Center on September 12, 2013 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 12: Equipment belonging to the New York Islanders is packed up and headed back to the Nassau Coliseum following the team’s first ever practice at the Barclays Center on September 12, 2013 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Invested in Franchise Infrastructure

Ledecky and Malkin have bought upgrades for this franchise that go beyond the coach, the President and GM, and even the arena.

Back in 2017, the Islanders unveiled a $3 million upgrade to their practice facility in Eisenhower Park. Northwell Health Ice Center is a state-of-art practice facility for the New York Islanders. Something that the Isles have been needing for some 16 years.

At the time, then GM Garth Snow had this to say about the upgrade from the former practice facility:

"“You go from the (old) Coliseum to IceWorks, and then you come here, this is like heaven,’’ Snow said. “I think it’s a small glimpse of what can be done at Belmont.’’"

The Owners commitment to improving the franchise was clear back in 2017.

It seems like a minor point to make, but upgrading practice facilities is a big deal for a franchise. Players spend an incredible amount of time at the team’s practice facility. Letting them practice in a crumbling building that is well past their prime sends a clear message: “You don’t care”.

So why should the players?

Giving them a quality practice facility is the kind of soft power that a franchise needs to not only keep their current players happy but to attract soon to be players.

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