When your the first goalie to be taken number 1 in a NHL draft some might say you have a promising future...you play your developmental hockey for the USA program, take a scholarship to one of the most prestigious college hockey schools in the nation in Boston University and then get selected first overall in June by the New York Islanders in 2000...Rick DiPitero had big expectations as he became the new face and franchise for the New York Islanders...However, maybe fans feel that in some cases "DP" may of out stayed his welcome...According to DiPietro's hockey biography...In that one year at BU, DiPietro was named to the All-Rookie Team, named Second Team All-Hockey East, awarded the team's Co-MVP and was named Hockey East's Rookie of the Year... In addition, DiPietro nearly set the NCAA record for most saves in a game when he stopped 77 out of 80 shots in a 3-2 quadruple overtime loss to St. Lawrence University during the NCAA regional final...and in his one and only Beanpot Tournament, DiPietro was named MVP and won the Eberly Trophy awarded for the tournament's top goaltender....thats quite a resume to put together for NHL teams to take a look at when your ready to be drafted...it was so good that the Islanders traded away (now superstar) Roberto Luongo to free the crease duties for DiPietro for the 2000-2001 season...
Its always tough to put the burden of a NHL franchise and future on a teenage goalie...Former New York Ranger first round draft pick Dan Blackburn was forced into retirement at the age 23 because of injury...the poor kid couldn't raise his glove hand and had to wear two blockers....to put that much pressure on a goalie at that young of an age can really hurt their confidence...most goalies lose games and their stats are poor...many of these young superstars actually have to go back to the minors for a year or two or three so they can be more prepared for the NHL...New York Rangers elite goalie Henrik Lundqvist was drafted in 2001 and didn't make his debut until 2005...hes now an all-star an Olympic gold medalist...DiPietro made his debut that season after he got drafted and won 3 games in 20 appearances...not the start you want in a franchise goalie...after playing in the minors, DP got the call again in the 03-04 season and helped the Islanders make the playoffs...was this the goalie Islander fans dreamed of??? Not so fast...
Even though DP became an all-star and a Olympian...injuries plagued him... He sat out the end of the 2007 season because of a concussion and put the work load on then back up Wade Dubielewicz who carried the Isles into the post season...DP then missed the end of the 07-08 season because of his hip and the Isles missed the playoffs...now its the same thing in the 08-09 s
eason as DP only played a handful of games and is out the rest of the season for a knee injury...for someone who has a 15 year 67.5 million dollar contract its starting to get old now...
eason as DP only played a handful of games and is out the rest of the season for a knee injury...for someone who has a 15 year 67.5 million dollar contract its starting to get old now...Yes, DP is a fan favorite on Long Island but its time now for the Isles to look ahead...they need to do something about their goalie situation...who knows about DP for the seasons to come since all his injuries...its tough because hes good yet is it worth to keep him and his contract???...the Isles need to start developing goalies...its the only way that position will get better in the future...its time for Isles to either s*** or get off the pot with DP...either make a move or do something with him...its staring to get annoying to see 5 different goalies throughout the year...
The Nuch
In my oppinion he should go. It was really unhappy move for Isl to sighn him for 15 (!) years. Mo peculiar to do it after this Yashin contract disaster. Actually, he is a good (very good) goalie, but always-injured. 5 games during this season...And no money to keep good players as R.Smyth or B.Guerin. Too bad...
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