Report: Islanders staying in New York looking less likely

The bulk of the relocation talk has centered on the Phoenix Coyotes, and rightfully so. Heck, on Wednesday TSN's Darren Dreger dropped the news that if the NHL doesn't have anything wrapped up by next week, it will finally start exploring Plan B ... relocation.

However the Islanders are still in a very uncertain state on Long Island too. The future there is as foggy as a morning in San Francisco. And let's just say the forecast isn't calling for sun yet according to B.D. Gallof of CBS New York/WFAN.com.

More than a year ago an Islanders source warned me that the minority percentage of possible suitors outside of New York would rapidly climb. Eventually, that person said, this idea might even become an even bigger possibility.

I was told this right before the referendum attempt by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and Islanders owner Charles Wang blew into pieces due to a recession, politics and the county's severe growth limitations.

So, now that we are at the end of what has been a long season for hapless fans who have watched their hapless team once again come up short of achieving any real goals, it is also time to really look at the team with correct lenses.

The Islanders may very well be packing their suitcases in a few years.

There has been next to no news on the Islanders' future home possibilities since their last attempt to get a new arena was turned down. Pretty much the only chatter that has come out since has revolved around the possibility of Brooklyn housing the Isles at the new arena built for the NBA's Nets.

Maybe that will work, maybe it won't. We'll have a better idea after the Islanders play a preseason game at the arena in a few months.

After that, there aren't many options if any to stay in the area. And there are a few cities that would love to get their hands on a hockey team, especially the people in Quebec City. If they don't get a team -- see: Coyotes -- before 2015 when the Islanders' lease runs out at Nassau Coliseum, the city figures to be hot to trot, particularly if a new arena is as far along as they hope.

Gallof goes on to detail the battles with the politics and local counties that would likely prevent a deal anywhere else in the area. Needless to say, if you are an Islanders fan looking for a lift, well, might want to look elsewhere.

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