Isles back at Coliseum? Commish: Don’t Bett it

Gary Bettman doesn’t see the renovated Nassau Coliseum as a potential home for the Islanders — not long-term, not shortterm, never.

On Friday, the NHL commissioner reiterated his stance about the Coliseum not being viable as a permanent home for the Isles, and had this to say regarding a possible temporary residency there:

“I don’t view it that way, certainly not now,” Bettman said.

Bettman doesn’t think it makes sense for the Islanders to play even a small number of games at the renovated Coliseum, which now has a 13,000-person capacity for hockey. “My gut reaction is it’s not a viable option,” he said.

The Islanders are seeking to build an arena at Belmont, a proposal involving the Mets’ owners’ Sterling Project Development. Bettman believes another arena in the New York-area is feasible.

“Without commenting on the specifics of any of their options, I do think the Islanders have options, very good options, and they’re in the process of evaluating what makes the most sense for the franchise, and in particular for their fans,” Bettman said.

Mets COO Jeff Wilpon added: “We represent and are working with the Islanders, and it’s their call. Like the commissioner said, they have a bunch of good options and we’re gonna play them all out and see what happens.”

There is a January deadline for the Islanders and Barclays Center to opt out of their 25-year lease agreement if either side wants to do so. The Isles are about to enter their third season of playing at Barclays in Brooklyn after relocating from the old Coliseum following the 2014-15 season. Tasch