The Past and Present of the Forgotten Masked Man

Can this Isles 'Lifer" be counted on as a leader on and off the ice?

By all accounts, Rick DiPietro is a good and decent fellow. He seemed to have the world at his feet not all that long ago. A former first overall pick of the Islanders, DiPietro — who in some circles has become Long Island’s forgotten man — is more then likely finding things both exciting and perhaps a bit strange as training camp will begin in the next few weeks. Such a highly touted prospect seemed a lock to become the star goaltender that led the former management team to gamble on with his selection in the 2000 draft.

When you consider some of the history alone, there is always going to be some kind of issue or debate about Rick DiPietro. I suspect the same could happen to Josh Bailey and Nino Neiderreiter in the years to come. When you are a surprise draft pick of a franchise — be it the Islanders or someone else, there will be second guessing comparisons for years. Enter Gaborik and Heatley.

In 2000 the Islanders were blessed (and cursed) with the first overall pick. At that time, the franchise through a series of very poor performances built up a bevy of skilled and spectacular talent that was among the best system in hockey. Perhaps this was an accident. I have a hard time believing Mike Milbury has the ability to find his was home in broad daylight — so amassing a collection like the Islanders had in 2000 was quite surprising.

As the draft neared, it was clear that the Isles would be drafting a potential super star in Danny Heatley or Marian Gaborik. One of these two magnificent players would be added to a very deep and talent filled prospect pool joining  Zedeno, Chara, Olli Jokenin, Roberto Luongo, Tim Connolly, Kevin Weeks and Eric Brewer to name a few! It seemed that the Islanders were poised to make the kind of leap forward that the fans desperately wanted. However, as we all know, Luongo and Weeks were both dealt away on the draft floor along with Jokenin to clear the path for the selection of DiPietro as the #1 overall.

Wow. Not only was the move baffling and somewhat disheartening, it was down right insane. The quote that always stuck with me from Mike Milbury — and I am paraphrasing — was that DiPietro was the best puck handling goalie he ever saw, and therefore a better option then Luongo, whom Milbury had drafted just a few seasons earlier. I can’t recall what he said about passing on Gaborik and Heatley, but I think collectively, Islander’s Nation went WTF???

With no Luongo, no Weeks, and no proven goalie — not to mention no Gaborik or Heatley, the Isles continued to suffer — and I would argue that error has been a seminal reason for the struggles the franchise has endured since that day.

So why rehash this background information? Just want to be sure we are all on the same page as DiPietro – who has played 13 NHL games in 2 seasons, and has another 11 seasons at $4.5 million per remaining on his current contract — is nearing a return to action in earnest (maybe….I think….) We are seeing and hearing some signs that DiPietro will start training camp in full force and gear. And as much as he was the face and force of the franchise 3 seasons ago, I am not sure he can be the guy any more.

My biggest issue with DiPietro is the $4.5 million dollar man has, in the past displayed a .10¢ head. His relying on stick handling has always been a statement of poor judgment. Sure…its nice that he can launch the puck up ice once and a while. But can he prevent it from crossing the goal line? There have been games, and series of games where Ricky stole two points. I can’t deny that. They guy was a fabulous talent. That is, when he made the decision to limit his movement outside of the crease, and stopped trying to be a third defenseman. When DiPietro plays goalie, he was in the top 8-10 in the league. But, too many times — seemingly a game per week — a soft goal goes in the back of the net because of DiPietro’s decision to leave the crease to play a puck in the corner, or behind the net. There would be a turn-over and a gimmie goal or he would be scrambling to get back to position. That would leading to a penalty and subsequent goal, or a goal on a flurry due to the scramble and turn-over. I always wondered why he never seemed to learn that with the speed and savvy of the NHL player, one should only play the puck when one was SURE there was time to make the play without risking a goal against.

Ultimately, it is no secret, that I was always nervous with DiPietro in net. He never inspired the kind of confidence that Canadian fans felt when “Bobby Lu” (the guy who should have been our goalie all this time) took the net for the gold medal game in February. Do the fans in Buffalo have confidence when there is scrum in front of Ryan Miller?

I am wary of Rick DiPietro and his knee, and hip, and head. I am not convinced that he has the physical ability to play NHL hockey. It’s sad because perhaps without the injuries, DiPietro may have gotten his head, heart and soul in check and become “the guy.” Did the boy mature into a man with the challenges he has faced over the past 2 years? Has he been able to remain sharp enough to play at a high level?

Garth Snow and the Islanders are betting he will be capable.

I don’t blame DiPietro for getting hurt. I want to see him — for all his faults – regain his form, and perhaps find a way to be a top goalie. But with all of the experience and credits to DiPietro — a veteran of the NHL, former All Star and Olympian — I think he comes to the Islanders almost as a freshly drafted rookie. I think most of the young players who have become the franchise in his absence — Tavares, Bailey, Neilsen, Moulson, Okposo — have no idea who DiPietro really is, and he is likely more of an outsider coming in. That is not to say the current Islanders wont be welcoming. On the contrary. But, I think DiPietro needs to prove to everyone — his team, fans, the league, and I think himself — that at the very least he can be on the roster for the duration of a season and play 35-45 games without pain and at a high level.

I was annoyed at last years home opener when DiPietro was not even introduced as a player on the team despite his injuries. His decision, or further evidence of how the Isles treat people? It went a very long way to tell us his position within the franchise’s plan. I do hope he will be remembered this October. I hope he will be on the active roster. But through that hope remains my concern. I have to believe most fans share the concern. But no Islander season can start without the “ifs.” So, here’s one to ponder. If DiPietro should come close to his top form, and the young forwards continue to improve on last seasons successes, the Isles will be positioned for a solid season.