DiPietro Returns!
Adam Malmut | Nov 24, 2009 | Comments 8
Rick DiPietro returns to the Islanders.
As reported yesterday by Newsday’s Katie Strang, Rick DiPietro is set to return to full-time practice with the New York Islanders. The Islanders’ brass made the wise decision to let the oft-injured franchise net minder rehabilitate his surgically repaired knee properly. It was a long and grueling process but the time has finally come.
While fans and the team have been patient, one major question remains – When will “DP” return to game action?
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
It’s good to know that he will practice with the rest of the team on Monday, and I can only assume that the process will continue at a snails pace. A case can be made that DiPietro will not see game action in an Islanders uniform until mid-December at the earliest. As with any other player coming off a serious injury, DiPietro will most likely see time with the AHL affiliate, Bridgeport Sound Tigers – at least for a few games for condition purposes. Call it a test run.
For a moment, let’s assume that DiPietro will come back strong and begin to prove that he can be the player he was before his unfortunate run in with the injury gang. What will the Islanders do with Martin Biron? Will Scott Gordon cycle three goaltenders until the trade deadline set for March 3, 2010? And how many games will DiPietro be able to handle this season? There are so many questions, and even more games left to play. But as any NHL general manager would say, a glut in goal is a good problem to have.
If all goes according to plan, Garth Snow will be in very good position to add a piece or two if the Islanders are in playoff contention in March. And by the look of things, they very well could be. If the opposite happens and the Islanders slide, Biron can just as easily be moved for a mid-round draft pick to a team looking for help in the nets.
Since the Isles have been reasonably avoiding the injury bug, Doug Weight and Radek Martinek aside, things are looking up in Islander country. When “The Rick” makes his triumphant return, he will most likely be splitting time with current starter Dwayne Roloson. Roloson, who is most recently coming off a 58-save performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs, has been stellar as of late.
"DP" Returns!
DiPietro last played on January 02, 2009, with an inflamed knee and let in five goals against. Something tells me that things will be a little different for the 28-year-old this upcoming new year.
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Filed Under: Featured • New York Islanders
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by AMalmut: As per @KatieStrangNYI, #RickDiPietro returns to #Islanders practice. Read my take at Hockey Independent – http://tiny.cc/swyYK…
Are Islander fans truely excited about his return? Is he really that good. Cause so far Roli has been pretty good and it appears Ricky D has bones made of glass and a groin made of paper. Just trying to get an opinion from someone who covers them, cause i have not seen much of him, except his stats. Which arent that impressive
I’m EXTREMELY excited. a couple years ago he was the starter in the all star game and was being considered for MVP until he got hurt and the rash of injuries began. This team will make some noise next year in the playoffs. Not this year, but next year.
I just lost Leclaire on my fantasy team so I might have to keep an eye on DiPietro. Considering that the Isles are winning games right now he could have some real fantasy value.
Before the hip injury and the knee problems, DiPietro was playing All-Star level hockey. He was awarded for his efforts by making a trip to the All-Star game and that’s actually where he re-injured his hip. While there were many times where Isles fans would shout “Stay in the net!”, there were even more opportunities for them to chant “DP”. I did mention that Roloson was playing great, but he is on the brink of retirement and DiPietro is still their best option in net when healthy. If not for several very bad injuries, he would probably be in the top 5-10 goalies in the league right now. It’s a shame too, he was just starting to put it all together before injuries. I personally hope he can get back on the ice for the sake of the team and his professional career.
Kevin,
I wouldn’t write them off so early in the season. Any team in the league that has their top guys healthy should have a chance. Considering their last place finish in 08-09, simply making the playoffs is a treat. Progress is key and we are currently witnessing it. Who would have thought that signing a guy like Matt Moulson in the offseason would make such a difference? It was really unfortunate to see tough-guy Jeremy Reich go down so early with a broken wrist – He has a decent shot, good hockey sense to make up for lack of speed, and can fight with the best of them.
Having DP back will be awesome but they better keep Biron around for a bit until they are 100% certain DP will not get re-re-reinjured. I dont want DP to play 5 games then all of a sudden his leg snaps off. In case that happens, they need Biron here to help Rolo carry the load. I cant possibly see any B-port goalie being of any value as backup to Rolo in case Biron was shipped out and DP is back in the old recliner with the leg up.