This week we learned that the New York Islanders' American Hockey League team is moving to Hamilton in time for next season. It means a team will be calling this city's downtown arena home for the first time since the Ontario Hockey League Bulldogs were pushed to Brantford a few years ago.

But what's it going to take for this to be a success?

There are some things obviously going for it. The fact that many folks are excited about having a team. The fact that it's pro hockey is more appealing to some than junior. The fact that this means some teams that are traditional rivals (the Toronto Marlies and Rochester Americans, to name two) will be visiting after an absence of a few years.

But there are also questions. This city doesn't have a historic connection to the Islanders that would provide a built-in, already primed fan base. The baby Islanders haven't been good for a while. What will tickets cost?

On this episode of Placeline Hamilton, longtime local hockey executive Don Robertson talks about some of the things going for the new team and a few areas that will require some work.