Gary Bettman doesn't sound keen on the idea of the New York Islanders returning to their old barn for the long haul.
"I don't view the Nassau Coliseum as a viable option," the NHL commissioner said Friday at a press conference announcing next year's Winter Classic at Citi Field in Queens, N.Y., according to Newsday's Jim Baumbach and Steve Zipay.
"Ultimately, whether or not the Islanders want to consider that and bring it to the league or something, you've had to ask them about it," Bettman said. "But my gut reaction is it's not a viable option."
Nassau lawmakers held a press conference of their own back in July in an attempt to woo the Islanders back to their original arena, even as a temporary solution.
The club will soon submit a proposal for a brand-new facility at Belmont Park. Bettman declined to specifically address that possibility Friday.
"The Islanders have very good options and they're in the process of evaluating what makes the most sense for the franchise and their fans," he said.
Bettman did say he believes the New York metro area can support another arena.
The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, as it's officially known, has been renovated over the last couple of years since the club left for Brooklyn's Barclays Center in 2015.
If officials with the Brooklyn-based facility want to opt out of their 25-year lease, as they've reportedly considered, that would have to happen before Jan. 30, according to Newsday.
The Islanders will play a preseason game at Nassau Coliseum on Sept. 17 against the Philadelphia Flyers, but Bettman said Friday he doesn't think playing additional games there "makes a lot of sense."
The club has dealt with several issues at Barclays Center, including piping systems that don't meet NHL requirements and poor sightlines.
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