New details have surfaced in the saga of the
failed Barroway-Wang sale of the Islanders.
The New York Post has revealed that Andrew Barroway hired Gary
Bettmann's half-brother, Jeffrey Pollack
several months ago as part of his team to acquire the Islanders. An awkward detail in yet another negative
story Isles fans would just assume never happened. "Barroway also hired David Carlock, a
sports-marketing specialist, as a late addition to help in his Islanders bid —
which ran into trouble, sources said, when the Philadelphia lawyer and
hedge-fund executive had trouble raising the funds needed for the
purchase." Rumors of Barroway not
having sufficient funds to conclude the purchase the storied franchise have leaked
shortly after news of Barroway's lawsuit against Charles Wang had
surfaced. Strangely, As for Pollack, it
is believed to be the first time he was selected to advise on the sale of an
NHL team. Was the former World Series
of Poker executive and NBA adviser hired for his consulting expertise, or because
it was thought that his relation to the NHL commissioner could help the sale be
ratified by the League and the Board?
The Barroway-NY ICE lawsuit indicated Wang
backed out of their handshake agreement to buy the Isles in order to sell to an
interested third party. Today, B.D.
Gallof tweeted, "Per another NHL team
source, at June board of Govenors meeting, Charles Wang announced: he has made
NO decision on the sale." If Wang
made no indication to the NHL Board of Governers that a sale was imminent, it
means Barroway is lying or Charles Wang was unethically playing multiple
suitors to get the best deal. If this
is the case, Wang would destroy his support of Commissioner Bettmen and
alienate him self from the NHL ownership fraternity. But Gallof adds, "Also: Missing in Barroway docs is a
"letter of understanding" that would have been signed if things were
really at the point of sale." Very
suspect indeed on behalf of Barroway's credibility.
There is probably a
lot more details to be revealed about who is to "blame" for the
failed sale of the team. But Gallof brings up a good point to think about. "Chew on this: had
Barroway made that sale, you wouldn't have seen the additions Charles/ Garth
made that moved Isles well above cap floor." And will this mystery third party be authentic as
speculated? Will the team still get
sold? Lets enjoy the ride.
***
CBS reports that Bryan Trottier revealed on a Buffalo's WGR radio
station, the legendary Islanders coach, Al Arbour is suffering from
Dementia. “Today, he’s going through a
little tough time with dementia right now. But we all love Al for all of the
great times we had together and his leadership. He was always calm under
pressure,” Trottier said of Arbour, 81.
Well known to Islander fans, Arbour won
four Stanley Cups as a player and led the upstart Islanders to wins in 19
consecutive playoff series and 4 straight Stanley Cups.
As heard on WGR's "Sabers Hockey
Hotline," new Sabers assistant coach, Trottier said, “Al was a great motivator.
He was probably our father figure in the fact that we all respected him so
much." he added “He (Arbour) had a great command of the room. At the same
time, he had a big man’s presence. He had won a lot of Stanley Cups as a player
with several different teams. He played with great players. So he always
brought that credibility with him. And for us to sit down with him one-on-one
or when he was in front of us as a team, he had a great presence, and we loved
the man.”
Of Arbour, former Islander goaltender, Chico
Resch commented that he was the greatest coach of all time for his ability to
lead with tact and a personal touch. He
hinted that Arbour could discipline and correct a professional hockey player
without embarrassing him and maintaining a positive feeling in the room. As a fan, I looked up to Al Arbour as a
legendary coach who lead my favorite team to amazing heights and allowed me to
witness a Dynasty in the making. Along
with Bill Torrey, the man who brought him to the Island, I felt Al Arbour was a
brilliant tactician and motivator who had everything in control as
"my" coach. I am deeply
saddened by the news of his dementia.
Something I am having a hard time in dealing with by my own father. An immortal inspiration to me and a giant in
my life who could always take charge and make things better from my Mom and
me. It just sucks.
I wish coach Arbour and his family the
best. I am sure all Isles fans wish him
the best in his fight and we will be sure to keep him in our daily thoughts.
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