Swelling in Rick DiPietro's surgically repaired knee prompted the Islanders to cancel his expected start tonight in Calgary, coach Scott Gordon explained after the pre-game skate today at the Pengrowth Saddledome. When DiPietro returns to Long Island with the team after tonight's game, his condition will be "reevaluated."
Gordon stressed at several points that DiPietro remains medically cleared to play. He started last Friday in Phoenix and then backed up Joey MacDonald Saturday in San Jose and Monday in Edmonton. DiPietro underwent a full practice yesterday in Calgary and tested new catching gloves as if planning to start against the Flames, and he said he would start if he felt as good today as he did following Wednesday's practice.
But that changed after DiPietro spoke to Newsday. Bridgeport goaltender Yann Danis was notified immediately after playing in a 4-3 shootout win by the Sound Tigers last night that he was needed in Calgary to serve as MacDonald's backup. He left his Milford, Ct. home at 4:45 ET this morning to catch a direct flight from JFK to Calgary, arriving at the Saddledome while the Islanders were on the ice.
Addressing DiPietro's situation after the skate, Gordon said, "From a medical standpoint, he's cleared to play. With the [knee] surgery that he's had, he's expected to have some swelling. That's been normal. We've been very cautious about how he's going to respond. As you saw yesterday, he practiced. He looked pretty good, and he could play tonight. But we just feel that it's in his best interests to give him the night off and make sure that everything is going the way it's supposed to go. If anything, just err on the side of caution."
Asked if he has any idea how long the uncertainty surrounding DiPietro's availability will go on, Gordon said, "No, like I said, he could have played all three games [so far on the road trip]. That's why he's been here and we haven't done anything else.
"But it hasn't made the progress that was to be expected, so, rather than just throw him in there, knowing that he's medically cleared to play, we just figured we'll hold off and get him back to New York and reevaluate and go from there."
Last June 4, DiPietro underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. "The doctors suggested it was the right thing to do, and they said there would be plenty of time to rehab it before training camp," DiPietro said in an exclusive interview with Newsday yesterday afternoon. "It didn't work out that way. We've had a couple of setbacks."
DiPietro only played in the final exhibition game, and then he backed up MacDonald for the first four games of the regular season before making his first start. In his third start, DiPietro left an Oct. 25 game against Carolina with an undisclosed injury. On Nov. 1, the club announced DiPietro underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a meniscus injury.
Eight weeks later, DiPietro returned to start in a 4-1 win over Toronto on Dec. 26. But after that game, he was said to have a strained groin that prevented him from starting again until last Friday in Phoenix. Now, it's his surgically repaired knee that isn't cooperating once again.
DiPietro said he plans to stick with the training program the doctors have put him on in the hope of coming back and helping the Islanders climb out of the NHL basement. Asked if he ever has considered sitting out the entire season, DiPietro said, "I'm not even thinking about that."
Describing his more cautious approach in returning from his second knee surgery, DiPietro said, "It will be good to get back as quickly as possible. At the same time, I'm not going to jeopardize the rest of the season [by rushing]."
Comments (37)
Send him home, shut him down.....he looked like crap against Phoenix anyway (from two levels above).
See if he can get healthy for the last 10 games of the season and ruin our chances at Tavares.
(that would be interesting....no?)
Ricky will probably be feating on another expensive dinner over at Rothmans instead of bothering to play. He enjoys it when Charlie Wang pays for his dinner.
Perhaps it is time to consider buying out the remainder of DP's contract and begin searching for a healthy goaltender.
If they truly are looking to rebuild, they should start with the most important position on the ice.
I think its over ......no lighthouse, no goalie, no talent, no winning, no nothing!!!!!! sell the team and become boston fans!!!(obviously not ranger fans)........ to wang and snow i say BOOOOOO BOOOOOO BOOOOOO BOOOOO BOOOO BOOOOO BOOOOOO BOOOOOOOOO BOOOOOOOOO BOOOOOOOOOOO OOOO OOOOOOOO BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Maybe his knee doesnt fit the system.
like "Islander505" said - shut him down for the season regardless of how he "feels". Dump all the vets that are in their last year of their contract at the trade deadline, sign a few new vets during the off season. And pray you get the first pick in the draft, look how quick the Pens turned it around after a few bad years and subsequent high picks. Also get a backup goaltender above what we have now that could potentially be a number one. I continue to have doubts that DP will be durable enough, mind you last the remainder of his contract.
KANSAS CITY HERE WE COME!!!!
THANKS FOR 36 GREAT YEARS OF HOCKEY ISLANDERS:(
Put this glass goalie on IR the rest of the year - that would be smart by the islanders - but they never do anything smart, except think they are out smarting the fans.
I am a fan of the game. But also, I am an Islander fan. Lately, it's like cheering for my Jets, high expectations...bitter disappointment. I like DP, especially when he is healthy and in net guarding the pipes. Although he is at times a bit reckless in his play, he has shown he has what it takes. I don't think we should dump him; he is a good goaltender, and some of his peers, who have been in the league much longer, have said he could be a great goaltender. Knees are not to be taken lightly or rushed with PT. The Islanders should have put him on IR and be done with it. Rehab and get back into physical form for next year. Just think, a solid physical fitness program, no ware and tare for a season, and he could be ready to go next year! The Isles have a goaltender; what we need is the rest of the team. The Islander front office needs to remember that they are not the Farm Team of the NHL.
It seems that the uncertainty about DP's physical status will be with us for the rest of his career. It may be unrealistic to expect him to reach the level of play he showed for one half of last season, really the only really good stretch of play in his career. It would be a mistake to count on him to bring us back to being competitive, let alone a real threat to make consistent noise in the playoffs. We need to get Riderwall over from Europe to see what he can do or get an underrated goalie like an Osgood or Thomas. With all of the goalies in top positions in the organization, can't they judge some talent at that position?
It seems that the uncertainty about DP's physical status will be with us for the rest of his career. It may be unrealistic to expect him to reach the level of play he showed for one half of last season, really the only really good stretch of play in his career. It would be a mistake to count on him to bring us back to being competitive, let alone a real threat to make consistent noise in the playoffs. We need to get Riderwall over from Europe to see what he can do or get an underrated goalie like an Osgood or Thomas. With all of the goalies in top positions in the organization, can't they judge some talent at that position?
Pavano...
Ricky has a world full of talent, but it doesn't help when he is on the IR. He needs to be 100% for the isles to compete. Why risk another injury? They are not going to make the playoffs anyway so they should shut him down for the rest of the season and start next year 100%... just my 2 cents.
Which surgically repaired knee is it this time anyway? Hasn't he had surgery on both of them (and both hips)?
He is becoming the Radek Martinek of goaltenders
I appreciate the Islanders. As CEO of Citi, only the Isles have worse management than we do.
Thxs guys.
Move the team to Vegas and they can become the Desert Islanders. Gilligan can replace Sparky as the mascot. Shut down DP and lets get Tavares. But then Snow will just trade the pick to Toronto for the Leafs' first round pick and a second rounder in 2023.
Or declare DP physically unable to perform, pay him his contract, and collect the insurance policy on his contract.
Wang won't sell with the sweetheart cable deal the Isles got. He still makes money even though the fans suffer.
We just suk!!!! 90% of this team has no heart!! All these teams love playing the Islanders!!!!! I just can’t stand watching Witt play anymore he’s slow and clueless. He can’t even clear the puck correctly. Is he out of shape?
im so sick of this unwatchable team. Wang has to fire snow and gordon. SNow chases nolan out for a no name he can wip around. Trade gueirn weight comrie witt now. No reason to keeep these guys here anymore. You build wiinners threw young talent and ealry good vetrn players. Not old washed up players and young 21 yr olds.
Thank god Garth Snow dumped Dubie. There was no reason to keep an experinced goalkeeper as a backup just in case. Nope, lets just go for some no-name that couldn't make it with Detroit.
It sad to say but its time for the organization to cut losses with Rick DiPavano! Not disrespect to him but he is dragging this team down! Its sad that my Isles have turned into bs for the last 16 years. I long for Ferraro to Volek oh well...
Cant wait for pitchers and catchers cuz with my sad sack Isles and Jets I need something to go right and the Yankees should provide me this!
This board is full of short-sighted whiners. Who cares if Ricky is healthy this year?? What difference would he honestly make? He could actually only hurt the team at this point. What I mean is he could play well and get the team a few more wins perhaps, but where does that get us? Division title? NO. Playoff spot? NO. On the playoff bubble? Probably Not. What do we gain if he doesn't play and the team continues to lag at the bottom of the league? Tavares or Hedman....Let him sit, dont rush him. He's not needed for this season. The team does suck now, but we all knew it would suck this year....the youth movement has started, now we have to stick with it and hope we can infuse some big time talent in to the system with next years draft. Think long term!
We knew we would be bad but it is still tough to watch. I am also not sold yet on our youngsters with the exception of maybe Comeau, Okposo and Bailey. What other bright spots are there in this organization?? Who is going ot help on D when Martinek is shut down for good, Witt is traded and Sutton is traded? It pains me to watch Tambs. This guy is like the guy in the school yard who is better than his friends and scores 30 goals in an hour. Than he steps out on the rink for real paractice with equals and he is the worst one out there. Tambs seems to have the AHL figured out but with the big boys he is out of his element. As for this whole Ricky saga.....can someone in management realize Ricky does not make the calls...you do. He is an employee of the Islanders and should thus be treated that way. Garth, Charles, Gordon...someone needs to say look...your hurt and rehabbing, this team is going nowehere this year and we need that first pick and you for our future. We are shutting you down for the season....end of story Ricky. You can practice with us and maybe maybe maybe you can get a few games in down in Bridgeport at the end of the season.
First on Streit...
Candy the Dreamer wrote: "Forget that Streit cant play defense very well....we can overlook that in a defenseman. Forget his pp points are a direct result of a lack of scoring from forwards on a talentless squad. Lets forget these obvious points and declare hes an ALL STAR! LOL. Streit is doing well, putting pts on the board and playing solid mins. But, the didactic Candy thinks you must be an idiot NOT to see he's an All Star. Its clear that there are a host of defenseman better than Streit. Hes not a legit All Star. Its obvious."
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Use lots of big words, make not one solid point.
(1) Streit can't play defense very well? Try watching a game before you offer your mindless insight. The guy has been a workhorse on a terrible team. Streit has been playing solid D. 0 for 1.
(2) His PP points are a direct result of a lack of scoring from forwards? Huh? 0 for 2.
(3) It's obvious he's not a legit allstar? He's def a legit all-star. He leads the NHL in Dman points and plays against other teams top lines every night. If you watched a game and didn't just rely on what you read about him last year you wouldn't be making that point. He'd make the allstar team if he were on the Rangers. 0 for 3.
And look up the definition of didactic. B/c it reads like a compliment.
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Second on DP...
The DP v. Luongo v. Lundqvist is probably one of the biggest botches by a team in the history of professional sports. The Isles had Luongo and could have just taken Heatley, but no, they in effect trade Heatley and Luongo for DP. 2 perrenial superstars for an average goaltender when healthy. And Rangers fan who wants to bring the argument that Lundqvist is the man and DP symbolizes all that went wrong with the Isles this decade has a very valid point.
And that's the idea...when you have a solid hockey point, make it. Lundvist/Luongo blow DP out of the water. But Streit is still all-star worthy. See how that works?
Was there some news on the Lighthouse? With all the mentions of "bye bye Isles, moving to Kansas City..."
I live in Nevada and have limited access to scuttlebut on the project. Was there a new problem or just some frustrated Rangers fans watching their team fall back, but not far enough to get Tavares?
Keitz:
Rangers fans have been saying the Isles would be moving for years (without the realization of the long term negative effects on the rivalry and metro area hockey).
No one is exactly sure whats going on (Nick has the best idea of anyone on here), but from what I read the project has the support of the local pols and is currently undergoing an environmental impact reviews.
As for the whiners...its you're right to do but we all asked for this team to tank, start over, etc. We knew it was going to be bad, but some people can't handle it when it actually happens. Its frustrating at times but a couple of necessary things are happening this year:
1.) We are truly s***ing the bed to get a good draft pick. We're no lock for Tavares or even Hedmen, but we will get someone good in this draft
2.) We are watching the development of Okposo, Bailey, Comeau. They started slowly (or not at all), but they have shown some great flashes of talent and cohesiveness playing together. They've been the Isles best players of late, and thats a great start for the future.
My knee hurts. I've been on my knees a lot as of late.
Ouch. Poor me.
To the fans; thanks to all 35 of you for your continued support. Unfortunately, I wont be playing that much this year. I don't feel like playing when there are a bunch of scrubs in front of me.
Streit is the reining MVP of the league
Learn to spell reigning. Then learn the definition. He can't be the reigning MVP if he has never won the MVP.
Hey I was the first to rip on Streit. I did not like the signing and I actually said he was the next MAB after the first two games of this season. His play proved me wrong.
Listen we want to protect our investment so if we have to give him time off,be it 2 or 3 years to get healthy,give him the time off and just sign him to an extension.Give him a 2 or 3 year extension so we have him signed thru 2023.After all he's DP......All-Star goaltender........better then every goalie in the NHL.........And if we move to KC I'm sure the 23 hard core fans we have will still root hard for our Isles.I know I will.
Get two points this month boys,,,,,,,,GET TWO!
Think about what you're life is like if you're a Rangers fan or just an anti-Isles fan and you actually write paragraphs out ripping the Isles. I'm not talking about a simple Isles suck! Or a nice Fish Sticks FOREVER! I'm talking about the shut-ins who sit at their computer, hitting refresh on this page, and ripping on a team they supposedly couldn't give a rat's a$$ about.
Tic toc, you're life is flying by.
Are you referring to me? I'm not a shut-in. In fact I am rarely at my computer. You can usually find me at electronics boutiques, or book signings, or the opera.
Do you think it really comes off on here that I'm a sad waste of space?
I love going to boutiques in Boston.....usually hand and hand with my GOOD friend Mike Bossy.We love taking in the opera together also.Would you like to join us Joke?
Would ya look at that. MORNING TAUK hit refresh, wrote some more senseless dribble, and wasted some more of our time and his life. Life is short my friend. Go out and enjoy it. Or stay on here and the joke will continue to be on you.
I have been a reader of this blog for years, im a big fan this is the 1st time i have posted.
I understand passion but the negativity is just to much.
I very much FINALLY like what they're doing sometimes you have to strip it all down before it can get better i dont wanna see the team contend for the #8 see dyr in yr out, they got alot of picks last yr in a deep draft and next year could get a VERY marketable and talented player in fact there's 3 top talents at the top of the draft w/ tavares obviously #1.
Just BUILD IT
Shut DP down let him take all this time to get back, gety some kids mixed in deal verts for even more picks and move on the Penguins were given up for dead pre crosby. DEAD they said hockey had ZERO future in pitt and it was over lemieux was done, but look now?
Poiunt is JUST WIN and you'll get the lighthouse and the team will become solvent all around and would prob get a winter classic vs the nyr, but you have to build it. I'm VERY worried the team will leave and liek whaler fans who saw carolina win we'll see st loius win.
Just build it which they're doing and win & hope they stay!\
Guys try and be less negative all the time
Well said Jonsson. I agree that putting a better product on the ice is the first step.....which is what they are trying to do. Unfortunately, it cannot be happen quicker, especially when you are not starting with many good parts (usable and tradeable) to begin with. It will take time and perseverance on the part of the GM..........and the fans.
Does everyone forget about Neilson after he got hurt? always saying their kids are playing so well, comeau, okposo and bailey...what about neilson, he was lighting it up before he was hurt. cant wait till hes back!