DiPietro should take his time and think long-term
Photo credit: Joe Rogate | New York Islander Goalie Rick DiPietro during practice at the teams practice facility "Ice Works" in Syosset. (November 24, 2009)
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Rick DiPietro
This latest setback for Rick DiPietro is bad news for the Islanders' franchise goaltender. Luckily, it's not as bad for the Isles themselves.
There was nothing new from the team last night regarding DiPietro's "leg stiffness" from Friday night action in his second rehab start for Bridgeport. DiPietro's timetable for a pre-Christmas return to Long Island is gone now; it has to be, since caution is applied to every move No. 39 makes.
But the advice here, as it was a year ago when DiPietro tried to play on a bad left knee in October and then played too soon in January following surgery, is for DiPietro to take his time.
Dwayne Roloson can take it from here, thanks.
The 40-year-old Roloson kept the Isles in it last night, making 17 third-period saves against the bigger, better Bruins. He preserved a 2-2 tie when his team was trying hard to lose it in regulation, getting shoved around and knocked off puck by the visitors.
Frans Nielsen won it in OT, but Roloson, now 10-4-5 for a team bubbling under .500, was the real star.
"He got us that point," Kyle Okposo said. "Last year, we obviously had some doubts at that position. We don't have those now."
That doesn't apply to DiPietro, of course. His next scheduled start for Bridgeport is Tuesday, but frankly, if he stays in the AHL another month, or two, or even four, what's the difference?
Other than satisfying DiPietro's incredibly competitive nature, there's no earthly reason for him to be an Islander this season. Garth Snow wants to flip Martin Biron somewhere for a draft pick, maybe a couple of picks, by the March 3 trade deadline. The way Biron is going, saddled with a 3.26 goals-against average with barely a goal and a half of support per start, he's better off as a capable backup here.
Through action Saturday, the Isles are sitting in a three-way tie for ninth in the Eastern Conference, which has nine teams from spots 6-14 separated by only seven points. They can and will be in the hunt for a good long while, despite having the same defensive-zone coverage issues and lack of secondary scoring that plagued them a year ago.
But the Isles also will win games they lost a year ago, like last night's, because of Roloson. They also have a new franchise face in John Tavares. DiPietro isn't forgotten, but he isn't the missing piece either.
Coach Scott Gordon is staring at a major headache when DiPietro returns.
Three goaltenders don't fit in the NHL, especially three guys who were all No. 1 guys during their career. They've chosen wisely with Biron, a good guy who takes his lumps quietly and won't cause a fuss sitting behind Roloson.
Will DiPietro be similarly silent and patient if he comes back as a backup? It's a question that doesn't need an answer, not right now.
It looks like he won't be back until after the two-day holiday break for Christmas; maybe even January, as DiPietro continues to shake off rust while feeling his way through the natural aches and pains of playing seriously for the first time in over a year.
But the Islanders don't need Ricky D. nearly as much as he needs them. And, with that contract that keeps him locked up until 2021, DiPietro should be just as patient as he can, secure in knowing that he'll be here long after everyone else is gone.
For a change, the Isles' problems don't include goaltending. It's time, once again, for DiPietro to take a seat, or a season in the minors, to work his way back and be the man when the organization needs him to be.
