from Andrew Gross of Newsday,

Gary Bettman didn’t mention the Islanders being out of the playoffs for two straight seasons. Or, specifically, the inability to maintain a quality ice surface.

But the NHL commissioner, speaking on WFAN on Tuesday afternoon, did say the Barclays Center “wasn’t built for hockey” when asked why hockey didn’t work in Brooklyn.

“Nassau Coliseum was done, they really couldn’t stay there anymore,” Bettman said. “Brooklyn was an opportunity to go to a new building, though it wasn’t built for hockey.”

The Islanders, who have spent the past three seasons at Barclays Center, have plans for a new arena at Belmont Park that co-owner Jon Ledecky said on Monday was on schedule to open in October 2021.

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