The Islanders’ practice session began today at 11 a.m. with Mike Dunham and Wade Dubielewicz in goal and Rick DiPietro not on the ice. Not only that, but forwards Ryan Smyth (leg) and Andy Hilbert (shoulder) are not practicing and have been listed as day-to-day but will travel with the team to Buffalo later this afternoon for tomorrow night’s game.
On the positive side, Newsday has learned the Islanders have signed former NHL defenseman Todd Simpson for the remainder of the regular season. Simpson spent the past season playing in Germany and must clear waivers in order to play. He will not arrive in time to go to Buffalo, but will be on the ice against Ottawa Saturday night at the Coliseum if no other team blocks the move with a claim.
Simpson, 33, is a veteran of 10 NHL seasons with Calgary, Florida, Phoenix, Anaheim, Ottawa, Chicago and Montreal. The 6-3, 215-pounder is a stay-at-home defenseman who can play tough. The Islanders most likely have lost Freddy Meyer (broken finger) and Bruno Gervais (high ankle sprain) for the season. When Simpson arrives, it’s likely he would replace Allan Rourke, who is up from Bridgeport.
The Islanders made the move to sign Simpson as a sign to the team that management still is committed to the effort to make the playoffs with six games remaining and the Isles only two points out of playoff position. Forward Steve Regier also has been called up from Bridgeport in the event either Smyth or Hilbert can’t go Friday night. The Sound Tigers’ roster also has been decimated by injuries. Neither Frans Nielsen nor Eric Boguniecki was available for callup.
DiPietro’s absence from practice today, obviously, is not a good sign. Following his original head injury in a March 13 collision in Montreal, coach Ted Nolan expressed doubt whether a goaltender could miss time and then step into a game without practicing. When DiPietro returned March 20 at Tampa Bay, he practiced the day before the game and then was re-evaluated the next day at the morning skate.
A published report today said DiPietro has a concussion based on a source close to him. The Islanders never have used that term to describe his injury, but it would not be a surprise. As Newsday reported on March 17, DiPietro made comments on that day that openly implied he was suffering from a concussion.
However, there are degrees of concussions. Earlier this week, a person with knowledge of DiPietro’s situation said there was a strong chance he would be available in Buffalo. It’s unclear at the moment whether that situation has changed. We’ll know a little more later today when it’s determined whether or not DiPietro will accompany the team on its flight to Buffalo.
Comments (20)
Wow, they really bothched the DP situation. Very surprising to see this sort of situation today in regards to concussions.
I suppose that's what happens when you scrape the bottom of the barrel for coaches and general managers.
Hopefully, he'll recover well.
Keep Dipi out for the remainder of the year. It's simply not worth risking severe injury for a chance at the 8 spot. This season has already been a step in the right direction. Put Dunham in net and hope for the best.
When it rains, it pours, eh?
Todd Simpson is bad-ass. Regularly posted triple-digits in PIMs, including this year when he was playing in Germany. 1 goal and 9 helpers in 10 games...with 175 minutes in the box, where he felt no shame.
If nothing else, I want to see the Islanders take it to the Rangers next Tuesday and pay them back in fisticuffs for all the cheap shots they've taken in the second half of the season (to make up for being humiliated in the first half).
Crazier things have happened, the Islanders offence is not injured and yes, there is enough talent to win some hockey games. It's going to take a Herculean effort on the backcheck, however, and that's one I'm not sure the Islanders forwards are willing or able to do.
Regardless of whoever puts on the blue and orange the rest of the way...LET'S GO ISLANDERS
Matt, come on, you're better than that. Cheap shots the Rangers have taken in the second half of the season? You mean like sticks to the face and punches to the back of the head? Or like when Witt almost kicked Rosival in the face with his skate at the end of the first period last Sunday? Look, an informed fan like yourself has to see that "cheap" shots occur during every game. You may want to focus on getting two points and not worry about running around looking to take runs at people.
If you're as big of a fan as you seem to be from past posts I think you would want the two points. Your last post suprised me, I expect it from others here, not from you. SHAME,SHAME.
1) As we reported several days ago, sources have told us the ricky suffered a grade 2 concussion and SHOULD not play at least 6 weeks.
http://newfaux.blogspot.com/2007/03/isles-eliminated-today.html#links
Now instead of hoping for win, I am just hoping they don't destroy the team.
Maybe the new mascot should be a man with a fake cast, hockey stick in one hand and a crutch in the other.
Kevin T.
Are you nuts Sweet? The only chance we have now is to go with Dubie in net. DONE-ham suck and should never play again period. The only reason he's on this team is because he played in college with Garth.
Rough news.
Regardless this is all reports and the Daily News isn't exactly ground breaking. The Isles and DP need to take this VERY seriously. The one report says that the team will not force him. I hope DP is not dumb enough to force anything either.
Matt,
I'm not even going to talk about the 'incident' at this point it is exhausting. But, the games between the Isles and Rangers have been the best games watched all year in my opinion. I expect the Isles to bring it as well as the Rangers and expect nothing short of another nail biter. As for the fisticuffs it would be a nice add to a series that has been boring on that front.
If you think Simpson is going to add that edge then fine it will be great. But, remember the negative affect a triple digit PIM guy can bring to your team in a playoff race. Especially in a rivalry fueled game like one against the Rangers so close to the end of the season where the four point swing will be HUGE!
Well, I guess the good news is that short of a meteor striking the arena as the team is practicing, things can't get much worse...
John, I understand your point, but running goalies and questionable checking have been the Rangers' M.O. ever since they picked up Avery, who does 80% of the damage...in my opinion, the problem with the NHL is players like him who take the cheap shot but won't fight when it's time to answer for his actions. For the record, Avery has three fighting majors this year; twice, the 5-minute major was accompanied by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty or a 10-minute misconduct. That tells me something's up.
What happened with Simon was not indicative of either team's play or "respect" for each other--it was Simon's action alone, so I can't really sit here and say "Well, the Islanders have been swinging sticks at them all year, so I guess that'll have to do for physicality."
That didn't happen. But the Islanders are a smaller team and the Rangers have not been the only team to "take advantage," so to speak. Look, you're a Rangers fan and I'm an Islanders fan. I wouldn't expect either of us to have different opinions than we do on the matter. But (and a lot of hockey fans would agree with me) when a team takes physical liberties with you, it's time for someone to drop the gloves, and from my perspective, the Rangers have been asking for it from the Islanders for awhile.
Roszival seems to get into a lot of bad positions where he is taking equipment in the face. Didn't he have to leave the play in 2 consecutive games the other week because of high sticks--with no penalties called either time? I didn't see the play with Witt, but unless Witt unleashed his best Rockette impression, he didn't intentionally kick Roszival in the face. After Clint Malarchuk, I think hockey players are smarter than that.
Any legitimacy to the "I expected that from others" argument expired when I was about 16 years old and smoking in the parking lot when I should have been in English Lit class.
DP USA:
The games HAVE been great games. Something for everyone, but beneath the veneer of the 2-1 OT nailbiters, there has been a lot of cheap and chippy play--admittedly some from both sides--that needs to be put to bed.
As far as any effect Simpson might have on the team, with injured defencemen being as common on Long Island right now as big hair, I'll take anyone who can skate backwards. Watching that Steve Webb video yesterday, it hit home how the Islanders are sorely lacking physical presence.
Matt,
I hear what you are saying totally and agree to a point and don't want to start arguing. The Rangers getting Avery was a great move for them. He is an all around player (and has the potential to be a good one). He is thriving under the lights and he needed to get out of LA and to NY. Taken advantage of, I think lays on the team being taken of advantage of. The Rangers earlier this season maybe even pre-Avey were taken advantage of and didn't have the team heart to stick up for each other. Listen all these things we can complain about and argue about but, they make this rivalry what it is. So long as it doesn't get stupid and out of hand. LETS SEE IT!
The kicking thing. Memory of hockey I will never forget. Real young sitting up top at the Garden for my first Rangers/Islanders game. Kasparitis was an Islander. Things were real gritty that game and Kaspar gets ejected for kicking a Ranger square in the back as he sits on the ice. Honestly don't remember Witt kicking or trying to kick anybody.
As for Simpson. The need is definitely there. The Rangers went and signed a guy they wouldnt give a contract at the beginning of the year Strudwick for the same reason. I understand what he can bring. Just stating with all that said that emotions will run high on and off the ice Tues night. Too much is on the line and don't want to see stupidity.
How did the Isles botch anything with DiPietro, he returned healthy and had no problems until Avery made sure to hit him in the head.
Flukeqvist should have his knee taken out next game no matter what so he cannot play the rest of the season.
The lights of Manhattan are helping Avery, what kind of light is that a pen-light from being ignored....LOL
Some of the comments on this blog remind me of an old joke:
I went to the Coliseum tonight for a fight, and a hockey game broke out.
My God I agree with Both Rags fans on all points....Avery is a punk, but who are we to talk, Hollwig has KOHO on his head for life...And Witt is no picnic!!!
This team is in shambles and it start at the top...Told it to all that would listen...Until the owner or mgmt change, we will be the joke of the NHL.....TIED to a concussion prone goalie who will retire in a year or so, while we pay him against the cap until we are all old and gray!!!
I'm DONE !!!
My God I agree with Both Rags fans on all points....Avery is a punk, but who are we to talk, Hollwig has KOHO on his head for life...And Witt is no picnic!!!
This team is in shambles and it start at the top...Told it to all that would listen...Until the owner or mgmt change, we will be the joke of the NHL.....TIED to a concussion prone goalie who will retire in a year or so, while we pay him against the cap until we are all old and gray!!!
I'm DONE !!!
IC,
It means that in LA his potential was wasted and unheard of. It NYC he is right where he needs to be in the center of things where a fan base will encourage him and bring out the best. You will see, and get used to it because he is going to annoy Islanders that haven even put on a Bridgeport Jersey yet.
99.9% of the guys in the NHL don't think with your mentality at all. So I doubt that Henrik is going to get run. Those that might are the problem with the NHL. The mutual respect between players is not where it needs to be?
As for your joke...
I missed it, pen-light?
Huh?
I think Doobie should be given the start in Buffalo Friday night. Now is not the time to be messing around with the health of our newest 15 yr contract.
Dunham is washed up and having sat for so long, might as well be in training camp all over again. Doobie on the other hand has been very successful in Bridgeport and is in playing condition.
Isles fans, forget about the pathetic Rangers. Their fans are too stupid to realize if they make the playoffs, its only going to give them another four games before they are golfing too.
the rangers and islanders are the same. both get into playoffs, both they don't get far. Because neither one of them are any good.
With DP out it's over.I'd start Dubie over Dunham but I don't think it would make that much difference.Even if we make the playoffs, without DP we ain't going far. I just hope he comes back healthy next year.GO ISLES!!!
Is it any wonder why NHL teams try to hide their injuries. Shocker, that the guy in the league with no shame or no pride (no intelligence for that matter either) would try to use it to his advantage. And that gutless ninny is none other than Sean Avery. I thought hockey players were supposed to live by a code that said respect the game. Where was Avery's respect for the game when he knowingly went after DP's head in the last game vs the Islaners. Being tough is different than being dirty. Someone's brain and head are off limits. We're talking about a person's livlihood here. How come Avery has gotten a pass by the media? Everyone was up in arms when Simon hit Hollweg in the head and less damage was done. Hollweg got a cut on the chin. DP got his second concussion which could have far more lingering effects than Hollwegs cut. Players that show no respect don't deserve to receive any respect. Avery has the kind of twisted mentality that invites retribution so every player should give him what he wants. Judging by his personality he'll wear out his welcome soon enough and then his current teammates could be on the other end of his dirty tactics. So everyone in the league should accept his invitation to show him how to respect the unwritten code of the NHL. Be prepared to take what you dish out. Sean Avery's day can't come soon enough. The league doesn't need or want such shameful characters. Pride can be restored to the game when Sean Avery is no longer a part of it.