LOGAN LETS LOOSE
Beat writer skeptical about DiPietro’s injury
So this is what it has come to.
Newsday’s Greg Logan, a respected reporter in New York for more than 30 years, is openly questioning whether Rick DiPietro was injured last night. If you haven’t read it, here it is.
To be sure, there was some skepticism in the press room last night from a few reporters. When DiPietro was pulled after the first period, I told friends he must be injured. That theory was based on Scott Gordon’s own philosophy of not benching goaltenders just to send a message to the team.
I’ve heard from some PB readers that saw DiPietro possibly get hurt during warmups. Didn’t see that as I was traveling back from the radio show.
Know this: if Greg’s conspiracy theory turns out to be true, that would mean…
- Scott Gordon lied.
- Rick DiPietro lied.
- Everyone above them and alongside them in the team hierarchy is lying.
- There would be no reason to believe anything the Islanders have said since the start of training camp.
- There would be no reason to believe anything the Islanders tell the media and their fans from here on out.
Greg had some reason to go into Oliver Stone mode last night. DiPietro emerged for his post-game interview quickly enough that it didn’t appear he had any lengthy session on the training table. He was not packed in ice, as goalies - injured or just as a preventative measure - often are. He did not seem hobbled or uncomfortable in any way (yes, shame on me, but playing amateur doctor is also what this has come to).
When Rick explained how he didn’t want to talk about his injury any more, I couldn’t blame half the room for thinking he was genuinely devastated and the other half for finding the whole enterprise somewhat hard to believe.
There was also the captain of the team, the trusted Bill Guerin, saying “I wasn’t aware of an injury.”
This is what it’s come to. Greg Logan - experienced, respected, a record of wanting to see the teams he covers do well (just watch him during games) and believe in what they are doing (read his work from last season) - thinking about it for five hours and then finally posting at 2:40 am that the Islanders may have risked every ounce of their integrity last night.
I think Greg is wrong. God, I hope he is.
50 Responses to “LOGAN LETS LOOSE
Beat writer skeptical about DiPietro’s injury”
Please Wait
I hate to say it, but I think Logan nailed it. When your captain says ‘I wasn’t aware of any injury’, that means one of 2 things - either Gordon needs to learn to communicate with his team better, or everyone involved was flat out lying.
The team’s explanation (and Bettman’s also in between periods last night) goes a long way into explaining why this league has slipped behind NASCAR and MLS as a legitimate professional sport. They act like a bunch of amateurs by treating the media & their fans with as much disdain as they currently are.
The next logical step for the team, obviously, will be to ban all media & fans from the Coliseum while a game is being played. This way, nobody will know how awful the team looks at times - they can just say ‘we lost the game’, but not have to go into specifics about the score.
Who says that the Coach has to tell anyone else his reasons for making a change? It’s the players jobs to play, that’s it. Just because Scott didn’t personally tell Guerin during the intermission the details around his decision to pull DP doesn’t mean he’s lying.
For anyone who was actually watching the game, near the end of the first period Rick appeared to bend backwards making a save. He was then very slow getting back to his feet. After the play was finally stopped, he bent over. It wasn’t from being tired, he looked like he was trying to stretch out his mid-section. Hopefully it’s not his hip or knee.
While watching warm ups last night it was clear to me that DiPietro got hit in the groin area. Mike Comrie told the trainer “He got hit in the nuts”. He left the warmup period earlier than usual. I was even surprised that he came out and was the starter. I agree with Coach Gordon’s decision to lift DP after one period.
Guys, watch the post game. Bill Guerin’s comment was, “I wasn’t aware of any injury. You know how it goes.”
That has a lot different meaning, to me.
Is he injured? I don’t know, but I am inclined to believe the “injury” is his brain.
Chris,
Who ever picks the 3 stars must be insane. How is Cam Ward not one of the three after that perfomance last night—The Isles had 60 shots for gods sakes!
Evan: I spoke to someone at the NYI after the game. As sometimes happens, there was an error. As for Comrie’s comment to the trainer, you saw him and heard him say that? Please explain. Thanks, Evan…CB
I think the fans are actually getting a little miffed at the media for poking the isles with a stick a little too often regarding dipietro
if he’s hurt , he’s hurt .he’ll simply not be in the pipes during the next game .get over it .
if gordo pulled rick because he was miffed at his giveaways then rick will probably be in net v.s the rangers on monday
personally , I’m still trying to sort it all out because Rick doesnt look comfortable at all .Is he still getting the kinks out after not playing a whole lot since march ? Or is he really still playing injured ?
if the isles are ok with him playing injured then who cares ? its not my dime that will have to pay the guy 60 mil for the next 13 years if his career is shut down
I am not so sure Mr. Logan reports it as he sees it… I watch every games and I also record them on my DVR because my work hours don’t always allow me to see it live… but there are many times when he reports the “facts” wrong… and I will go back and watch a specific incident in a game to corroborate my suspicion, comparing his article from the next days paper to what I remember seeing.
During the “brawl” with Buffalo he reported:
“and next thing you knew, the Islanders’ Sean Bergenheim was firing away at Sabres captain Craig Rivet…”
Well, Mr. Logan conveniently forgot to mention that Rivet had jumped on the back of Thompson as he was starting to fight Mair and horsecollard him to the ice… Bergenheim in response to Rivets 3rd man in, then took Rivet on.
I know it’s semantics… but it’s the difference between thinking that Bergenheim was acting “goonish” or sticking up for a teammate who found himself in a vulnerable position of unfairly taking on 2 Buffalo Sabres.
So personally, I don’t believe what Mr. Logan writes… I take it with a grain of salt… knowing that he might be leaving out subtle details for the reader.
I am not just basing my opionion on this one incident, but many… and I have emailed Mr. Logan in the past when this has happened before, questioning why he fails to report the “facts” and of course there hasn’t been any responses.
DOC
I’m with Logan. I don’t think Ricky is hurt. I do agree with the descision to pull him. The goals he let in were clearly on him and we woulda seen another 5 goals if Ricky finished the game. I think the big question is why lie? What? Ricky can’t have a bad night? We gotta lie to cover it up? I suppose I shouldn’t speculate so vigorously. Anyhow, we the fans are not stupid. Anyone could see he needed to be pulled to keep the team in what turned out to be an entertaining game.
As far as DiPietro taking a hit in the groin… he did look awfully pale sitting on the bench last night. And as we have all probably and unfortunately learned the hard way by taking a shot of some sort to the groin at one point in our lives… it could definitely make you ill.
DOC
Evan Pivnick went to South Shore day camp and is a child. He needs to be playing more sports instead of watching them. Work out young man and lay off those camp chicken nuggets!
im with logan on this one. The isles should just give us season holder free tixs to the soundtigers they dont seem to suck
I am convinced that Logan is spot on. The team has no credibility throughout the league, and now they are making their fan base angry with this stupidity. Good move. Usually, I’d say that the frustration you see on these Boards can be corrected with a couple of wins, but I’ve been a fan since 1972, and I can honestly say that this is different. I’m feeling abused and disenfranchised and, frankly, I’ve had enough. They need to end this policy now and start acting like the professional organization they purport to be.
as an Islander fan I am use to being lied to. hell they’ve been telling us that there draft picks from the last 5 plus drafts are full of “potential” and “talent”. when only 1/3 of the prospects are mediocre at best.
Facinating conversation so far. Interesting that a few posters blame the “media.” Logan and I are the only two covering the team every day! Thanks for all the Comments. Keep the lively (and respectful towards each other) conversation going. I’m heading over to the optional practice…CB
Re: “admin” comment. There are times when in my opinion it is appropriate to be critical of the media, but in those circumstances the “media” response is that they are just asking the same questions that fans would be asking if they had such access. In this case, the “media” cannot be blamed. Their frustration over this nonsense mirrors that of the fans. Pure and simple, it is the fault of this organization (a term which must be used loosely these days!) that has perpetuated this and has created this backlash.
I’m perfectly fine with logan or cb giving us their take on things based on assumption rather than fact .
I guess I’m just fed up with the unneecessary dipi sideshow
It is certainly ironic that a team that prides itself on being innovative with regard to allowing bloggers unprecedented access has such a ridiculous policy about injury disclosures.
CB, no disrespect to you, but I don’t think Greg is calling anyone a liar. There are just different degrees and meanings to the word “injured.” And IMO, if Rick is actually injured, still injured, prone to injury or just not his usual stellar self, perhaps he should be kept off the bench until he is.
It is not the team’s policy but the league’s as decided by the board of govenors. Please don’t make this an Islanders only policy.
i think dp is playing through the injury which im not ok with seeing as except the sabres game, joey mac has been relatively solid. also, why would arth say were gunna get the best possible player in the draft then traade down? i like it seeing as the possibility of those guys become really good. see: aaron ness, KIRIL PETROV (sp), jiri niemi, so on so forth. however those are possibilities. filatov and schenn are certain. if it turns out greatthen it does but i will start to question garth if it doesnt. what i would do is trade for one of ottawas 1st round picks. either there own or san jose. we trade torontos and boston for ottawas.they get two second rounder and already have a first. everybody happy
btw, wikipedia the 2009 nhl entry draft. then you google them and see. tavares and hedman and younger shcenn and cowan look good. also the second guy looks like a swedish not as good tavares. looks good for us
This is what happens when you have one main media person covering a team. Would this ever happen on the Mets or even the Rangers?
Kevin (and Jay)- in your minds this is suddenly an opportinuty to analyze the past summers draft? Even after sixty games into the following season that analysis would be would still be premature, let alone after only six. Chris is talking about Rick here, and Chris has already said that he doesnt want his blog to be constant “nah-nah”s every time one of these kids plays a game or does anything. We should respect his wishes.
Anyway, about this topic, I dont think that Greg is just calling them liars- but I do think that this stupid policy is making him look completely incompetent at his job. Im sure he (like you, Chris) is getting a lot of heat for not having the story. And Im sure he is getting ticked off about it. I dont blame him. This policy is making the Islanders organization looks shifty and deceptive even to people who want to remain objective, and it is also providing a huge fuel source to fans who WANT to believe the worst. It is not helping anyone or anything.
And this might not be an Islanders-only policy, but the Islanders are the only team in the NHL I know of that is embracing this idea of deception to this level. I dont think any other teams are forcing their coach and players to be so uncomfortable on a daily basis or keeping their fans in the dark like this.
7th Woman, the Hurricanes had a detailed injury report out before yesterday’s game - it’s not NHL Policy, only an option they have given each team. The Isles chose to go this way, they were not forced to.
chris. you misread my post. i like what we did. i think that niemi who had second hardest shot in ohl and aaron ness who is an offensive defensman beast and kiril petrov who can be a potential 40 goal scorer. im just saying that i didnt like garth snow saying we were gonna get the best possible player and then we dont on face value
Rick: Please see the following directly from the NHL website (media section)
“Clubs no longer are required to disclose the specific nature of player injuries. Clubs are, however, required to disclose that a player is expected to miss a game due to injury, or will not return to a game following an injury. Clubs are prohibited from providing untruthful information about the nature of a player injury or otherwise misrepresenting a player’s condition.”
So basically, letting them chose what information they wish to disclose or not, but not REQUIRING anything other than truthfullness. I’m certain there are other teams doing the same thing.
Im not saying youre right or wrong, Kev- I just dont think its the thing to talk about here… and I dont think there has been enough time/games to say any pick has or hasnt already panned out yet, anyway.
I think the thing here is this policy and the ridiculous uncomfortable position that it is forcing everyone into.
Man, the Islanders are a sad, sad organization. But, we Ranger fans are enjoying a few laughs. Keep it up, losers. We (about 10,000 Rangers fans) can’t wait to take the Mausoleum over on Monday.
7th Woman: Everyone is aware of the league-wide policy, thank you. I look forward to your defense of everything the team has done in your own blog…CB
steve,
have fun. the rangers are off to a great start and is a team of better organization, structure. i’m envious.
you ape-minded rangers fans can have our coliseum. we’ll be waiting for the Ligthouse…if it ever comes.
This is why the Isles must cut ties with DP! He is draggi the team and franchise down. Trade DP for a new trainer and look for a new goalie. I am being serious. DP is overrated and he has caused the team problems with that albatross contract. That’s not his fault but we sould cut ties. Stephan Riderwall get ready and seasoned my man you willlead us to the 5TH SC.
Other teams are being vague regarding injuries. It just happens to be that our only star and game changing goalie is the one the Islanders are being vague about. If the team had a winning record right now, wether in front of Mac or DP, this prolly wouldn’t be our main headline. And if Ricky is hurt, he needs to sit in a sky box and Danis needs to back up Mac.
I propose a “Rick DiPietro Buy-Out” petition to be circulated.
Other teams are being vague regarding injuries. It just happens to be that our only star and game changing goalie is the one the Islanders are being vague about. If the team had a winning record right now, wether in front of Mac or anyone else, this prolly wouldn’t be our main headline. And if Ricky is hurt, he needs to sit in a sky box and Danis needs to back up Mac.
Oops. Darn wifi.
Ron, the Isles should buy him out. Look at his career stats for a second. The guy is never healthy. Who got us into the playoffs two years ago. Dubie did. Who played well down the stretch last season. Dubie did. Rick was mad that everybody was embracing Dubie so he whined to his buddies Wang and Snow about not signing Dubie. When Nolan had the cahones to bench Rick and start Dubie against the Rangers on the back to back two series Rick whined and wanted Nolan out. When Nolan bench DP in FLA after his idiotic mistakes Rick b***hed and Nolan’s head was on a platter. The franchise is being run by DP and I for one am dead sick of his prima donna ways.
ok chris i got what your saying. also, is any other team out with 4 out 6 starting defenceman like we are???
This call for a buyout is idiocy. A guy called Chris Bottas radio show yesterday to say exactly that- and they explained in no uncertain terms how foolish of a notion that actually is.
The Isles should give Rick the time he needs to get back to 100% and that is that.
And Disillusioned Brian, what you keep saying are nothing but your own speculations. Quit acting like what you imagine to be true is somehow fact.
We are now the New York Lielanders.
LOGAN IS ACCURATE everyone lied why is that hard to swallow..he f up when he pulled him and now its a cover up
GORDON HAS TO GO SINCE HO GOT HERE NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THE F IS GOING ON ..bring up the guy from the sound tigers
people lie all the time in all walks of life..its the american way..look at mccain and obama theyre both lying everyday why is it hard to accept the islanders are lying
Dear Admin: I didn’t think you even read my entries. :0)
I do believe he is injured. The last time DP was benched was when Snow raised an “eyebrow” on WFAN talking about Nolan. Head Coaches have no say on whether DP sits or not. That’s all Snow. The last Head Coach who tried to Coach DP was fired. Gordon won’t make that mistake.
I haven’t read thru all the posts, but the mostly troubling thing to me is that a guy with Botta’s background would even consider that there could be a cover-up. Lots of folks have an opinion about who runs this team but no is as familiar as Chris with the inner workings and all of the personalities involved. It scares me that he thinks it is possible.
I believe NOTHING the Islanders say ever!