3 ideas to make UBS Arena even better for NY Islanders fans

The Islanders Hall-of-Fame was an often overlooked, if not forgotten, part of team history.

For years, only a banner hanging from the rafters of the Nassau Coliseum was there to remind fans that there even was one. That changed with the opening of UBS Arena. The plaques for each player, which were previously unveiled in 2008 and located near the team's dressing room, are now prominently displayed on the main concourse against a blue background.

You can't miss them as you walk in.

The team hadn't inducted any player in the Islanders Hall of Fame since 2011 until John Tonelli and Butch Goring received the honor when the team retired their respective numbers in February 2020. We can debate whether Josh Bailey will one day have his own plaque another day.

However, fans want more and would love to see a more comprehensive Islanders museum located inside the arena that would display Islanders' artifacts, memorabilia, and moments from their 50-year history. The team could draw inspiration from the New York Yankees and create a museum of loaned or donated memorabilia.

The Yanks have "the wall" that seeks to collect one signed baseball from every player, coach, broadcaster, etc., in team history - they've achieved 55% of their goal. Could the Islanders aim to do something similar with pucks? Absolutely. There could be permanent exhibits, including Stanley Cup rings, jerseys, lockers, etc., with other rotating special exhibits to keep things fresh.

You don't need to be a team with the history of the Yankees to do this.

In recent years, the New York Mets have expanded their Hall of Fame, which regular inductees, and have added new features in their museum, which is located adjacent to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. It includes a timeline of Mets history, a display of the original Mr. Met, World Series Trophies, a tribute to broadcast legends, and more.

An Islanders museum would become another destination for fans before and after games and something that could be part of the regular UBS Arena tours that season-ticket holders have been treated to. This ownership group has done a tremendous job bringing back Isles Alumni from all parts of team history in recent years, a museum exhibit would be the next step in the celebration of these past players and Islanders history.

I'm betting there are a good amount of fans that would be willing to donate their own memorabilia to put on display there for many years to come.