BUFFALO — The Islanders could soon be hosting the NHL All-Star Game or the draft at UBS Arena. First, though, they have to finish construction on the surrounding area.
That was the message from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who was in Buffalo for Thursday’s Isles-Sabres game just 24 hours after being on Long Island for Wednesday’s match against the Bruins.
“We want to bring league events to UBS,” Bettman said. “But everybody’s agreed that we want to bring them to the finished product, which is the surrounding area.
“That arena is great. I took the train out last night, [it took] 29 minutes from my office, and once they finish the development surrounding it, it’s gonna be terrific and we’ll bring our events there.”
The Islanders never hosted the draft at Nassau Coliseum and hosted the All-Star Game there just once, in 1983. They were the home team for a 2014 Stadium Series game against the Rangers at Yankee Stadium, due to a tax exemption requirement for Madison Square. Garden that demands the Blueshirts play all home games at the building, but have never hosted one on the Island.
Belmont Park, which is right next door to UBS, figures to be a candidate for one eventually. And UBS has all the trappings to host an All-Star Game or draft that the Coliseum never did. Before that happens, there is still more building to be done — hotels that will eventually go nearby, in particular. Currently, most teams that come in to play the Islanders stay in Garden City, 15 or so minutes away from the building.
When might that happen?
“Buildings just don’t pop out of the ground,” Bettman said. “It takes a little bit of time and work. But by the way, the plans are there and they’re committed to doing it. It’s just a question of getting it done.”
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