As the New York Post's Larry Brooks notes, the New York Islanders are starting to resemble a functional, decently-run hockey team just as they're nearing their exit from the Nassau Coliseum:

A redwood might be on the verge of taking root in Brooklyn, but a hockey team is growing on Long Island, and right before the same very eyes that once gloried in visions of the Dynasty that ruled the sports world three decades ago.

All across sports, you hear about franchises building toward the opening of new arenas or stadia. The baseball Braves are directing their energy toward rebuilding their organizational talent level to coincide with the team’s move to the suburbs in 2017. It sounds like a marketing roll-out plan every bit as much as it does a plan to contend.

Here on the Island, perhaps through a matter of serendipitous timing, the Islanders are holding their coming-out party on their way out of the Coliseum — where John Tavares, Jaro Halak, Travis Hamonic and friends have embraced this final opportunity to skate in the footprints of Bryan Trottier, Billy Smith and Denis Potvin.

Brooks continues...