If the headache that knocked Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro out of tonight’s game against the Devils is gone in time, he will start Friday night in Buffalo.
Contrary to an earlier report by The Sports Network in Canada, DiPietro has not been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome and was not ruled out of tonight’s game because he failed to pass the neuro-psychological exam that was administered. According to a person with knowledge of the situation, DiPietro’s status is based simply on the fact that he reported experiencing a headache following the Islanders’ 2-1 overtime loss to the Rangers Sunday at Nassau Coliseum.
As a precaution, DiPietro did undergo a neuro-psychological exam. Although he didn’t score particularly well on it, neither did he score poorly enough to be diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. Essentially, DiPietro is categorized as day-to-day, and his playing status comes down to how he feels in terms of whether or not he has a headache.
CAT scans performed on DiPietro were good, and the results of the other tests he has taken are such that his condition cannot be ruled definitively as a concussion. DiPietro suffered a head injury in a collision with Montreal forward Steve Begin in the first period of a game on March 13. He left that game and missed the following two games at Ottawa and Florida.
But he returned in an overtime loss at Tampa Bay and then won at home against Pittsburgh and in Philadelphia before the overtime loss to the Rangers. DiPietro faced 122 shots on goal and allowed eight goals while going 2-0-2 in those games. It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for someone with a serious concussion to perform that well.
During the Rangers game, DiPietro was involved in a pileup in which opposing forward Sean Avery landed on his head and other players from both teams also added their weight to the pile. He took a puck off the mask during the game and also took a puck off the mask during practice last week. But in none of those cases was he forced to leave the ice, as he did in Montreal after Begin’s knee hit his head. That’s why those close to him will be shocked if DiPietro doesn’t start in Buffalo.
DiPietro’s agent, Paul Krepelka, deferred comment pending a statement the Islanders are expected to release around 4 p.m. today. But he gave no indication of any dispute with the team’s medical findings.
Comments (156)
Talk about a roller coaster day.
Ah! Happy birthday to me after all.
Nice bit of reporting, Greg, as usual. I guess TSN wins this week's Hoser Award. Take off!
But Nolan should still start Dubielewicz tonight.
section 335 votes for doobie tonight!
Did Brooks, Dellapina or Dolan leak this garbage to Tsn or is this his next punishment after putting the club on FSN-2845 for our biggest games.
Greg, when are you going to take a little dig at the Post, Times and News for such shoddy coverage, the Post does a pregame but does not send writers? Botte only shows up at occasional homegames and Dellapina takes the Coliseum games?
Lot's of former Rags in that league office between Campbell, Mike Murphy and life-long Rag fan Frank Brown from the News who loves to leak the Isles business and is in charge of the league's p.r
Has anyone ever heard of a player sitting out games because of a head injury without it being a concussion? I personally have not, especially not 3 in a row. I hope the Islanders are not being less than truthful to hide a more severe problem with ricky.
Has anyone ever heard of a player sitting out games because of a head injury without it being a concussion? I personally have not, especially not 3 in a row. I hope the Islanders are not being less than truthful to hide a more severe problem with ricky.
"CAT scans performed on DiPietro were good, and the results of the other tests he has taken are such that his condition CANNOT BE RULED DEFINITIVELY as a concussion."
Is this reviewable in Toronto?
For me, issue number one, two, and three is whether DP is truly healthy enough to play. As much as I want him in there, concussions are serious business and I would hate to have him hurry back if he is not ready and there are ANY significant medical reservations. What a tough call.
Btw, who took the shot that hit him in the mask and when exactly did it occur? I don't seem to recall it at the game, although I seem to recall one shot where I was confused where the puck went.
Thanks for the mid day update Greg, your efforts this year to keep us fans updated is appreciated.
Still, it doesn't seem like Ricky should play later this week.
Isles are in full CYA mode. Not counting on seeing DP anytime soon.
There you go this article mentions the shot in the head during the game and a added one from practice.
Good job Logan you told a more complete story.
"Although he didn’t score particularly well on it, neither did he score poorly enough to be diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome."
Still sounds like something is up but, they need their stud. Tough call to play him still even against Buffalo!
Merrick:
Spot on. This season is not worth mortgaging the next 14. This Sunday's NY Times had a harrowing article about Adam Greenberg (Cubs rookie in 2004, hit in the head by the first ML pitch he saw, still isn't back to form) that should really give all athletes pause. You can't get a brain transplant, although Sean Avery has demonstrated you can get along just fine without one.
I think the shot that Rico saved with his face was Prucha's at about the 15:00 mark. Might have also been Jagr's at 8:29. The Rags only took eight shots in the third, and most of them were pretty mundane. Probably was one of those two.
River Alph:
A doobie for Dubie tonight is probably in order, at least to keep my sanity in check until Rico comes back.
The shot in the Rags game came from Shanahan. It was in the 2 or 3 period. But Dp didn't even blink. Let him rest. I go to the Sound Tigers games all the time and I think Dubie can fit in nicely tonight. He moves well and STAYS in the net.
Somethings up, whatever it is Rick DiPietro's health comes before playoff hopes.
Merrick,
Good Stuff!!! Very funny.
Based on recent history, Toronto rules it a concussion and DPis out for the season.
Go figure.
The Islanders should show class by sitting DiPietro until he's "headache-free" for a full week, at least. You can't play around with head injuries just for the sake of what is really just a game - entertainment. I think the team has already taken a p.r. hit of sorts, with the lack of transparency in withholding information about DP's initial injury. If managment's intention in signing Smyth was partly to re-establish Islanders credibility in the eyes of the league and potential future free agent signers, they've got to follow-up on that theme by preceding cautiously and candidly with this situation. Ricky is the francise right now. Treat your francise player likee the human being that he is.
Meyer out indefinitely.
As shaky as he has been recently, he has shown some bright spots in recent games (being undressed by Jagr withstanding). I know we MUST upgrade our defense next year, just look at the team without DP, but I feel like a lot of the calls for Meyer's head aren't considering the lack of experience behind him, especially in such a key time.
Dear Greg:
Thank you for keeping things square. You really do a bang-up job, and it shows.
Love,
Everyone.
Greg:
Thanks again for the coverage! Let's Go Isles!! We can still do it!
DP has to take care of his head, but if he was really hurting, he wouldn't have been as sharp as he was the last 4.
If something is up however, staying out is the right way to go.
Any chance DP pulls a Willis Reed and plays tonight?
Maybe Garth Snow can Play!
He is still on the Salary Cap!!
I just climbed down off the ledge and not because DP might play Friday - because Meyer WONT PLAY tonight !!!!
I am swimming in the hudson after jumping from the GWB cuz the Isles PR staff is nuts!! Rourke WHY?? Fata is better than Rourke!! Rourke is worse than Freddy plus he's gonna be paired with Camps. Its gonna be an 8-1 night!! Plus, I have a Bad cold from swimming here in the Hudson. Throw me a Islanders life Raft!! LETS GO ISLANDERS!
Brian - dont you know that islander life rafts are full of holes ??
Rick needs to be fitted with the medical device used by the N.E Patriots. The military, an olympian and many others are looking at this as a preventitive approach to concussion. www.mahercor.com
I agree that Nolan should start with Dubielewicz tonight. Dunham is not good under pressure and looked very uncomfortable in net the last games he played in where we lost. Without DiPietro, Isles are out as far as I'm concerned, and I'm a die hard fan!!!! I'll still be cheering them on tonight hoping for 2 more points, keeping an eye on the other scores happening tonight... Good Luck Isles!
I doubt the isles will make the playoffs..and, I hope we crush Avery in the 8th and final Isles-Rags game. I wish Simon were here
It seems that everytime Campoli is on the ice the opposition scores ...
Can someone please explain to me how they could play with such heart during that last period and create so many chances yet be so lifeless in the 1st two periods?
I am so sick watching how badly Campoli plays. Every time I watch I am screaming at the TV.
i didn't see the game. versus isn't on my cable (scumbag bettman). could it be that they were too tentitive offensively because of no confidence in dunham and rourke? dubbie has the 2nd best AHL save percentage. A Nolan blunder playing dunham? how'd dumham play?
WHY DID HE START DONEHAM???????????????????
He wasn't bad, but left juicy rebounds and or crappy D didn't clear anyone out in front. it's besides the point, when Dubie went in the crowd loved him, they shouldhave started him. we SUCK!!!!!
must win game lost on crappy goals. Two PP goals against, great job. Can't fault anyone on the second goal, it just wasn't meant to be for us. we are dead, unless we can win 5 of the last 6. i work at the collie and even when the cars were coming in you could sense a loss to follow. i mean the Devil fans were more vocal than the Isles fans. they were cocky and for good reason, we stink.
bye bye ryan smyth. bye bye victor kozlov. bye bye alexie yashin. bye bye tom poti. bye bye jason blake. bye bye mike duhnam. bye bye richard park. bye bye sean hill. bye bye freddy meyer. bye bye andy hillbert. bye bye playoffs...........
I dont want to hear any Garth or Wang bashing this time around! Management went out and brought in Smyth and somehow the team is worse off. Just cant fathom that. Because of the trade it raised the stakes for the isles and they could not handle it. just lost 3-2 to the devils in a big game at home and they cant win. What a disaster! an utter debacle! This franchise will never catch a break. Islanders were in the 6th spot on trade deadline day and now they will not make the playoffs. What happenned? Nolan pleas explain! no jack adams for you. I am speechless. til next season.
Hey Islander Faithful! Mike Emerick says..."near capacity crowd..." so I check the attendance. 13,337! You guys are wooping and hollering.."Lets go Islanders." Perhaps coughing up a few bucks and actually going to the game instead of blogging wouldn't hurt!
i work there pally and i agree with you. nobody goes to the games.
Hello...He..ll..oo! What is there an echo in here? Where'd everybody Go!
the last ten years no one has been going to games unless they play the rags or are in the p-offs.
hopefully the rangers will lose all theor remaining games like they did tonight. that will at least ease the pain.
This team will not make the playoffs!! As a life long Islander fan I have become used to the inevitable disappointments. These last few weeks have hurt more because I falsely became excited about a team and a franchise that is just, well, covered by a dark cloud.
If DP is out again Friday Dubie better be in net. I know Doneham played OK, but OK isn't what we need. He's too damn slow when he tries to get up after flopping around. Why was there no too many men penaltyy in the last few minutes against the Devs?
Well what can i say except.....RIGHT YET AGAIN......15yr contract for the next Wayne Chrebet...Great job WANG and the bobbleheads! You had to reinvent the wheel with contracts and this is what EVERYONE in the NHL warned you about.....
Took a flight to NY today hoping to turn the team around...Instead saw the most uninspired hockey in a playoff runs history...Lead by none other then Campoli,,,Sorry Miggsey but to see him live is worse then TV...First two goals were both in fornt or b/c of him....He is just the start...WHAT A BUNCH OF QUITTERS!!!
How bout Smyth saying he would be in Brodeurs face all night????????? Uhhhh name once!!!!
How about not one meaningful check all night!
Wang and the bobbleheads make me sick...The team quitting makes me sick.....Nolan making excuses makes me sick....The offseason is going to crush me.......Basically I am one hurting puppy.....
Say what you want but all my predictions unfortunately came true...Even DP being out....
hey fans disguised were you at the game?..are you a season ticket holder..if the answer is no shut the F up and go to the games instead of b*itching on a blog...
Remember all of you miserable WHINERS this team was picked to finish 30th dead last in the nhl by SI ...i have enjoyd the season and appreciate the effort...Nolan is great and Snow much better than expected..true Islanders fans will be proud of this team this year playoffs or not!
it's a step in the right direction. but there are a lot of things that should've been dealt with better. ie. DP. ie. the horrible D pairings. ie. simon. ie. all the bullshite excuses.
oh yeah Doneham
Skeletor Messier,
As a matter of fact Sparky.. I'm a Ranger Season Ticket Holder! Even went to three Islander-Ranger games at the Maseleum to help your payroll. Just got back from Boston Sunday Night after seeing a great win up there! Tell me. How many games have you been to this year?
what did the rags do tonight? that's right, they got pounded by le montreal. the rags suck just as bad as the Isles. and the devils are like watching paint dry.
Anonymous,
Yes they did! Montreal played like a team just out of a playoff spot! Oh, wait! Weren't the Isles in the same position!
it won't be long before the rags are in the same position as the isles. so just be warned anything can and will happen. they had their hot streak, now they will struggle to stay in the race.
You know, your'e right! No disagreeing here. I'm not any more comfortable then you guys are. These last 8 days are going to put us all in the nut house!
Actually 10 days. Even worse.
right on
If Ricky's done for the year, my only consolation will be sticking my Jagr voodoo doll with sharp objects.
Maybe Nolan should play Yashin as a D-man. He couldn't be worse than Campoli. Seriously. Talk about a sophomore slump!
why is Yashin playing better? now were going to have to keep the guy.
Couldn't see the game, but I was watching the scoreboard. Only silver lining is that other teams lost tonight too. Plus Ilses have played one less game than Rangers, Tampa Bay & Montreal. So they still have the same chance as any other team bunched at the bottom to make it in.
What I've seen of the Devils, they always play a style that slows the game down. Lots of boring neutral zone play between the blue lines. I am sure the game plan would be to just frustrate the Islanders.
Start Dubbie in Philly!
Kevin T.
I cannot fathom why oh WHY Ted Nolan has Dunham in net instead of Dubie. Dunham looked horrible and uncomfortable in net during Dipi's 1st absence.
Tonight he left rebound after rebound out there. It could have been 5 or 6 to 2...The team played much better after Dubie replaced him.
As far as DiPi playing Friday night in Buffalo....WHY????????
Give him at least one more day rest and play him home Sat. nite IF (and this is a HUGE IF), he's 100%.
Can anyone say "Mike Richter"?????
I was there last night, wearing my Campoli jersey in support of Miggsey, when lo and behold, someone 2 rows in front of me had on a Campoli jersey also! Could it have been...?
I nearly fell asleep in that first period..only 4 shots? You've got to be kidding me. Dunham has ZERO rebound control. Kicked out the first and last goal right to devils. Why they couldn't have played the first 50 minutes like the last 10 is inexcusable.
I'm actually proud of the Islanders. Beginning of the year- remember what everyone said? Now Blake is going to get 40 goals, Yashin (before his serious knee injury) was top 10 in the league in points, DP was on FIRE this entire season (put together a full season like he's capable of- Vezina baby!), Smyth may be around next year....things are looking up! We might miss the playoffs this year, but really, we were not going far under the circumstances. Adding Smyth was huge, but it really did nothing to help our weakness- defense. Our defensemen are slow, they don't hit, they are playing injured (see: Hill), they are too tired to make good outlet passes to our forwards, and they take too many penalties. Sure Martinek out wasn't planned on, but 1 guy won't do it all. Next year: Buy out Yashin (or better yet- restructure), sign both Blake & Smyth, and go get 2-3 defensemen who have speed AND size. Campoli & Meyer may be touted as fast (havn't seen it though..), but they look like 14 year olds out there- they can't handle the size. In the "new" NHL, there will be a huge number of players moving around- the team will look different, but there will be lots to choose from.
Dunham got pulled because of leg cramps? He played two periods and then says, "I could have battled through it, but with the need for points at this time of the year, I didn't want to make things worse," Dunham said. "A goalie is useless if he can't bend his legs." I like the guy, I met his wife, nice lady, but it must be said... "Doobie, anyone?"
Themass~
No more name calling....Just woke up so hung over my hair hurts...and the only reason I called you masshole was b/c I am currently one living in mass and fight with those people and guys in the office 24/7 LOL
Last night you cannot tell me they played with intensity......They played uninspired hockey and got BOOED off the ice....I had a few or 20 coctails on the flight and was going nuts at the game...Only jack a^^ in a suit acting like a 19yr old...lol...Kept i t clean though.....anyway the team was flat...Smyth did zippo like he promised...Campoli was ...well...Campoli..simply a poor player. The ONLY player who played with absolute guts and intensity was Bergeron....On one play when he pinched, you can actually see him raise his hands and say "where are you guys?" to the offense.....I love the way he plays and it is not b/c of his blast from the point.
I think the team played like their coach acts...With built in excuses...I think this team had a lot of talent this year and should of been a playoff team....I think a lot of things need to change and a true hockey man is needed to come to the org. in some capacity, and Wang needs to stop meddling in ANY CAPACITY....I think I'm gonna puke.
Someone talk me off the ledge....Not ready for the Mets just yet!
For those that say I am bashing the team and want my predictions to come true...You are wrong..I am not the kind of person to write on these blogs...Never have before..People in my office think I am nuts...Some of you might be them messing with me!?! Anyway I do it b/c I want this team to succeed so badly...I want my kids to grow up Isles fans and not get sucked in to the Bruins...We all know kids and if their team stinks the chowdahs will suck them in...Hard enough explaining why the Pats win all the time.....
p.s If Silinger is on the PP one more time I will go postal.....Yes yes I know he is our best face off man, but come on already.
Please put Silinger on the PP just one more time.
now that was pretty funny!
p.s Can u tell us how Campoli played?
p.s Can u tell us who told YOU DP was not right and would be out longer, and then you trashed him on 4 posts...I believe SORRY is the word you are looking for! lol
Rough night for both the NY teams. GOALIES! DP not in net and Lundqvist gets peppered.
First outside looking in. I think that Dunham is the must play goalie when DP is not around. He has the experience. The problem is how many games has he played this year? Doobie, never realized how small that guy is until last night.
Montreal deserved that win against the Rangers. They played their butts off and brought their A+ game. Rangers sat back after a great first and it bit them.
DP needs to be healthy. 15 year contract won't matter if they destroy the guy. Too much proof out there and you got to love the do or die attitude but, is it worth it?
Man, the devils are one broing ass team, even if they do win games.........maybe thats why there attendance is even lower than ours!
sorry boring
The Devils are a very good hockey team who needed a victory and played their game exceptionally well last night. That's four times I've seen them this year and each time they played great team defense clogging lanes and their ability to get sticks on pucks/passes is better than any other team I've seen all year. This time, they were so good, Marty didn't even break a sweat. I can't remember one tough save and he left the entire right side of the net open for Yashin's goal.
I know Steady will disagree, but this team left a lot of energy for the stretch run on the ice from instensive efforts in December, January, and February. They just seem an extra step slower. And it's a miracle they've gotten this far with that scotch-taped and injured defensive unit. The ultimate flaw in the Smyth deal (and I understand the desire to go for it) was thinking the Isles could continue their outstanding record from the All-Star break through the remainder of the season. I have some friends who said from the outset that the deal was putrid because we overestimated our ability; I had more hope, but currently, the others appear to be right.
As for Dunham, he played well last night. He was shaky on rebounds in the first period and the third goal was kicked right to a Devils as opposed to a softer leg save, but nytime another team gets three cracks from in front, you're looking for trouble--and Campoli scored one too! Still, Dunham made two great saves when the score was 2-0 to give the Isles a chance, so he was not the problem last night.
As far as I'm concerned they have meaningful game to play on Friday, March 30, and I would have taken that in a heartbeat on October 1, 2006.
Agree with "DP needs to be healthy".......
Only thing is ONCE A CONCUSSION ~ ALWAYS A CONCUSSION.......That is what scares the heck out of me!
see....Chrebet ~ Al Toon ~ Lindros ~ Lindros brother ~ etc. etc. etc.
If (and I certainly hope this is not the case), Rick's career is over, the contract can come off the cap (Long Term Injury Exemption). So complaining about signing him to the deal and then him getting injured is silly.
Of course, if he is fine, and plays as well the rest of the contract as he has this year, the contract will be a steal.
I say, let him sit for the rest of the year. They need him for years to come.
Then, re-sign Smyth, cut Yashin, and use the money to get a top notch center to play with Smyth and Blake. Of course, some defensemen would help as well.
Merrick ~
I agree with a lot of your points. I mostly agree with the way the Devils played....
I just do not agree with the excuse of the patch work Defense.....Have you looked at the Rags defense? Or the MTL defense? Or Toronto without their best defenseman......I do not know if you were at the game last night, but the effort was lack luster at best...Not often they get booed off the ice and they did...Can you name one big hit in the first period? Maybe a couple after that?
You say the Devils had a "must have" game...Well what about us???
I 100% understand where you were coming from about "who would of thought we would be this good anyway." BUT sports are about the here and now...The fact is we are good enough...The fact is we have the chance to do something special...and the sad fact is we are doing NOTHING about it....For all we know there is a great chance we take a HUGE step back next year with free agents leaving....Then we go through the EXCUSES in the begining of next year "well give the new guys time to gel." Sorry but that is pathetic.
When did NYers start to settle for terms like "Well almost" and "they tried hard".....You are talking about the greatest hockey team American soil ever saw lace up skates...A very proud franchise with phenominal history....Well it has been many many years and HISTORY is a word I am sick of.....
p.s Saw STEVE WEBB before the game and had him sign my kids jersey for the WALL........He is the best....Very funny guy...He was by will call window...Begged him to lace up the skates and he said he would give his "right arm" to play tonight!
GOD WE NEED A GUY LIKE HIM!!!
Tough loss last night. How can you look up at the scoreboard in the second, see that the Habs have potted five goals on Lutefisk, and not leave it all out on the ice. It was amateur night out there, I thought. Yet again, the Islanders had chances and failed to convert them. (Although facing Brodeur and that defence is a much taller order than Lutefisk or Biron.)
A lot can still happen, but with the rest of the schedule the way it is, I'm prepared to be disappointed. HOWEVER, as Merrick pointed out, and as I've been saying all season, the Islanders started out the year as a complete joke--they were indeed expected to finish dead last in the league by Sports Illustrated. And for awhile they were one of the best teams in the league, and what we see now is them regressing to the mean, as the statisticians say.
Which, Steady, means that they're NOT really that good. And by any objective measure, they're not. But I'd prefer to root for a team of scrappy underdogs than an overpaid bunch of primadonnas or a team with zero personality.
Right now, all I care about is seeing Rico back between the pipes, whether it's Friday or in October.
F***.
Fans disguised If you are a rangers season ticket holder what are you doing here on an Isles blog?..Getting away from that stench rags fans give off?..
Steady-
As I said, I knew you'd disagree! Good point on how other teams have stepped up in March and performed well with similar flaws. To be honest, I'm shocked at how well and the Habs and Rags have played. To me, however, it only undescores the following: when everyone had to take it up another notch down the strecth, other teams had more in the tank to do it. But you're right that there is seemingly no sense of desperation at this point--with no wake up call hits last night.
I also appreciate your approach to the game and the season. On the other hand, I've reached the fine point of life where I can still immerse myself in the Nirvanna of victory and reasonably shrug off the disappointments of defeat. I'm sure there are others here who deserve to be called great Islander fans, but take a similar approach. Bringing my kids to games also means I attempt to act more like a civilized adult (btw, thanks for not swearing), strive to help them keep things in perspective, and try not to fuel their most base behaviors. No one likes to hear a 12-year old repeatedly yell all the way home in a car, "So-and so sucks!" I should note, however, that I'll make an allowance for the Chicken Dance!
Finally, as a season ticket holder who expected, but was willing to sit through numerous meaningless games and flat crowds because I still enjoy the game, I hope you can appreciate my thankfulness for what we got.
Dunham did make excellent stops on some shots, but (as some here have mentioned) he didn't deaden the puck enough and left the Devils lots of rebounds... plus he is slower to get up when he's lying on the ice. Nolan probably would have stuck with him if he hadn't had to leave because of "leg cramps." I still think they should start Dubie in Buffalo. Maybe let him play the 1st and 3rd periods & put Dunham in for the 2nd period, just to shake things up & give Dubie a little rest. What could that hurt? DP should rest until Saturday's game.
Merrick...
I agree to your approach of the game and taking the good and the bad. Many people can not and its funny. Although I was in quite the bad mood last night watching the Rags lose. It is what it is, brush it off and get back out there. Also the kids at the games. I hold seats myself and often have to watch myself because kids are around. One day I want my kid there and I don't want them scared or disrespectful because of the idiots that don't know better.
Ed in Westchester,
Not arguing his contract at all. Did I think it was crazy. 15 yrs is a bit steep any fan can agree. Was it a steal, yea for the time being. My thing is the health should really come first. Especially for a top notch goalie with as much potential as DP. He needs to hold back until he is ready and on the side of caution maybe the team should have him checked by their doctor and than another. Not only for his career, but for the sport and his life. You don't play with your brain. The proof is in the pudding.
another observation from last night's game. MAB needs to get that howitzer ON NET for a change..
Merrick, the basis of your team overview is bang on. It's hard to expect too much with our line up so contending this late is really a bonus. I do agree with Steady's read (yes, I agree) that we can't blame defensive or offensive injuries for our current state. Teams like Montreal, Toronto, the Rags all roll their lines, their D pairings and their back up goalies far more routinely than we do. In Toronto, guys like Ian White on D have been played to death and now are contributing every night. These teams live with some ups and downs but I feel they're better served in the long term development.
I've never heard of a goalies career ending from repeated concussions. It's not a common injury for a goalie. I think they just put DP back in too fast.
Dumham's inability to make it through the game without getting dehydrated proves they haven't kept him in game shape. Of course you actually have to play games to do that.
As for the general mood of everyone, especially Season Ticket holders, I think it is in the effort. It is one thing to debate strategic decisions by the coach, or the disallowed goal, or the line combinations, but lack of effort.
Every team has bad nights, and it is even more likely to happen against a team like the Devils.
With the number of games in the schedule, the best I have seen out of the Canucks has happenned this year. And still, 1 in 10 games will be a dog.
Next year the Ilses will be talking about preparing for the playoffs instead of just making the playoffs. Maybe then they will pace themselves properly and work on developing their depth in all positions.