Comments on: RICK DiPIETRO SPEAKSPlans on returning “as soon as humanly possible” http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible Independent, Daily Coverage Of The New York Islanders Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:26:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chris TMC http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible/#comment-6331 Chris TMC Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:05:17 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=2873#comment-6331 When I met Rick at the NHL team store there were signs up saying there were to be no autographs or pictures. However, I was standing there when the NHL store quietly asked Rick if he would do an autograph session. They asked really quiet in case he said no. He nodded and said, "Sure!" Then he stayed there and proceded to sign something and take pictures with everyone there. Im just telling you what I saw happen right in front of me. When I met Rick at the NHL team store there were signs up saying there were to be no autographs or pictures. However, I was standing there when the NHL store quietly asked Rick if he would do an autograph session. They asked really quiet in case he said no. He nodded and said, “Sure!” Then he stayed there and proceded to sign something and take pictures with everyone there. Im just telling you what I saw happen right in front of me.

]]> By: Rob http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible/#comment-6324 Rob Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:44:58 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=2873#comment-6324 DP, why dont you stop and sign autographs for the fans once and a while like your teammates do. ? DP, why dont you stop and sign autographs for the fans once and a while like your teammates do. ?

]]> By: Chris TMC http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible/#comment-6312 Chris TMC Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:34:36 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=2873#comment-6312 Its too bad that many people who put these labels on him dont realize that it is FANS who say and do these things. Rick is just a player- he isnt the media, he isnt your opinion of him, he isnt all the people wearing his jersey, he isnt his contract, he didnt force anyone to draft him, he isnt the comparisons people make, he isnt ANY of that. He is just a PLAYER... and when healthy, he is a very good one. He didnt bribe anyone to become a #1 goalie, he earned it. He didnt force anyone to make him an olympic goalie, he earned it. He didnt coerce anyone into putting him in the ASG, he earned it. And all the BS about his personality- from people who have never spent 5 minutes with the man in their LIVES- is just that- BS. And it doesnt matter. At all. All that matters is that the guy gets himself in top shape before he comes back and then when he DOES, he simply does what he always does when healthy- play good hockey. Its too bad that many people who put these labels on him dont realize that it is FANS who say and do these things. Rick is just a player- he isnt the media, he isnt your opinion of him, he isnt all the people wearing his jersey, he isnt his contract, he didnt force anyone to draft him, he isnt the comparisons people make, he isnt ANY of that. He is just a PLAYER… and when healthy, he is a very good one. He didnt bribe anyone to become a #1 goalie, he earned it. He didnt force anyone to make him an olympic goalie, he earned it. He didnt coerce anyone into putting him in the ASG, he earned it. And all the BS about his personality- from people who have never spent 5 minutes with the man in their LIVES- is just that- BS. And it doesnt matter. At all. All that matters is that the guy gets himself in top shape before he comes back and then when he DOES, he simply does what he always does when healthy- play good hockey.

]]> By: Stumpy32 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible/#comment-6185 Stumpy32 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:17:26 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=2873#comment-6185 You want to bitch on DiPietro, fine. I agree with a good chunk of it. However, he's our goalie for many, many, MANY more years, and has more talent that almost all other goalies. Now, if he can use that talent to lead us to the Cup, great. It hasn't happened yet, but so far in Ricky's young career, the Isles haven't suffered because he's on the team. In fact, if you look at the results since he's been our starting goalie, you can't argue w/ me that we could have been any better with someone else in goal. Were we anything more than a low-seed playoff team in 2007? Were we a playoff team last year? On both cases, probably not. The guy isn't perfect, and may end up being just ok, a little above average. But right now, the guy is our goalie and clearly, for reasons unknown to even the most die-hard of us, wants to play for the Islanders for his entire career. For that he should be applauded, because if any of our players are going to lure other FAs to the Island in the future, it's going to be him. So, I say..get the guy back, and win the damn game today. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!! You want to bitch on DiPietro, fine. I agree with a good chunk of it. However, he’s our goalie for many, many, MANY more years, and has more talent that almost all other goalies. Now, if he can use that talent to lead us to the Cup, great. It hasn’t happened yet, but so far in Ricky’s young career, the Isles haven’t suffered because he’s on the team. In fact, if you look at the results since he’s been our starting goalie, you can’t argue w/ me that we could have been any better with someone else in goal. Were we anything more than a low-seed playoff team in 2007? Were we a playoff team last year? On both cases, probably not. The guy isn’t perfect, and may end up being just ok, a little above average. But right now, the guy is our goalie and clearly, for reasons unknown to even the most die-hard of us, wants to play for the Islanders for his entire career. For that he should be applauded, because if any of our players are going to lure other FAs to the Island in the future, it’s going to be him.

So, I say..get the guy back, and win the damn game today. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!

]]> By: Hockey North http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible/#comment-6175 Hockey North Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:25:14 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=2873#comment-6175 DiPietro can/might be a great goaltender when he is 100% but with a 15 year contract (that was deemed a gamble due to the possibility of injury shortening a player's career - DOH!) you're going to get criticism. Remember, we gave up Roberto Luongo for this guy - the actual best goalie in the League. In the League! As an organization,you're just asking for trouble with dumb moves like that and believe me, its not hindsight. I remember the shock and disgust of draft day, June 24th 2000, quite clearly. DiPietro was sold as the star of this team before he'd earned it. That's why some fans like myself who love the team have a chip on their shoulder about DiPietro. I hope for his success but its things like when you see this team's jersey displayed on TV, its always one with a "39" stitched on the front of it like the whole organization is about DiPietro. Maybe he's the supposed big star now but he should be the one asking to have it toned down until something of team value is accomplished and something tells me he's not. There have been a lot of great players play for the Islanders and it was never about the individual. Confidence and the will to win is one thing but show a little humility once and a while (you know like hockey players act as opposed to other pro atheletes). Other than that, as far as the team goes: win games, win a playoff series, stop shooting ourselves in the foot in the offseason with controversey, keep a coach around for more than a year and basically keep it simple stupid. DiPietro can/might be a great goaltender when he is 100% but with a 15 year contract (that was deemed a gamble due to the possibility of injury shortening a player’s career – DOH!) you’re going to get criticism. Remember, we gave up Roberto Luongo for this guy – the actual best goalie in the League. In the League! As an organization,you’re just asking for trouble with dumb moves like that and believe me, its not hindsight. I remember the shock and disgust of draft day, June 24th 2000, quite clearly. DiPietro was sold as the star of this team before he’d earned it. That’s why some fans like myself who love the team have a chip on their shoulder about DiPietro. I hope for his success but its things like when you see this team’s jersey displayed on TV, its always one with a “39″ stitched on the front of it like the whole organization is about DiPietro. Maybe he’s the supposed big star now but he should be the one asking to have it toned down until something of team value is accomplished and something tells me he’s not. There have been a lot of great players play for the Islanders and it was never about the individual. Confidence and the will to win is one thing but show a little humility once and a while (you know like hockey players act as opposed to other pro atheletes). Other than that, as far as the team goes: win games, win a playoff series, stop shooting ourselves in the foot in the offseason with controversey, keep a coach around for more than a year and basically keep it simple stupid.

]]> By: Pat http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible/#comment-6170 Pat Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:13:26 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=2873#comment-6170 The difference between being a prima donna or being "brash and exciting" is winning some playoff series. this means Ricky is a prima donna in my eyes - till he wins. The Phil Simms analogy is a good one. Clearly - Simms grew into the role and the supporting cast improved. I am tired of people touting DP as the next Terry Sawchuck. He is not.....but I will grant you this - he still has significant upside....and here is hoping that next year - he starts to achieve that -with his new Center - John Tavares. Pat The difference between being a prima donna or being “brash and exciting” is winning some playoff series.

this means Ricky is a prima donna in my eyes – till he wins. The Phil Simms analogy is a good one. Clearly – Simms grew into the role and the supporting cast improved.

I am tired of people touting DP as the next Terry Sawchuck. He is not…..but I will grant you this – he still has significant upside….and here is hoping that next year – he starts to achieve that -with his new Center – John Tavares.

Pat

]]> By: Chris TMC http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible/#comment-6166 Chris TMC Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:07:06 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=2873#comment-6166 "He threw a fit last year when he didn’t start the Isles-Rangers game" A "fit"? Says who? WFAN, who didnt even know how to say 75% of the Isles players names? (Dubawitz, anyone?) Enough with the wild speculations already... they arent helping anyone. “He threw a fit last year when he didn’t start the Isles-Rangers game”

A “fit”? Says who? WFAN, who didnt even know how to say 75% of the Isles players names? (Dubawitz, anyone?) Enough with the wild speculations already… they arent helping anyone.

]]> By: UIF http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible/#comment-6163 UIF Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:00:35 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=2873#comment-6163 On Ricky, he's got a tremendous upside, but strikes me...and this is just my opinion based on what I see...as someone who just never listens to criticism. There have been times right after games where coaches have publicly commented on how he wanders too much, and Ricky would make the same exact mistake multiple times in the very next game. He threw a fit last year when he didn't start the Isles-Rangers game, even though he was obviously hurt and giving up 5 or 6 goals a game at that point. The skill is there. He has great natural abilities. But part of being successful in anything in life is learning how to accept criticism and make yourself better for it. It was easy to forgive Ricky for this earlier in his career, as he was just a kid whose head was filled with all sorts of talk about "being the franchise". But he's not a kid anymore. Hopefully he's learned a lot by sitting out all this time...especially about being honest about his injuries. And also about cutting down on the distractions. Being a third defenseman, fighting with everyone that comes in the crease, constantly yapping at forwards, etc. Trust your team to fight some battles for you, and just, for now, worry about stopping the puck and playing your angles. 4-3 Isles today... On Ricky, he’s got a tremendous upside, but strikes me…and this is just my opinion based on what I see…as someone who just never listens to criticism. There have been times right after games where coaches have publicly commented on how he wanders too much, and Ricky would make the same exact mistake multiple times in the very next game. He threw a fit last year when he didn’t start the Isles-Rangers game, even though he was obviously hurt and giving up 5 or 6 goals a game at that point.

The skill is there. He has great natural abilities. But part of being successful in anything in life is learning how to accept criticism and make yourself better for it. It was easy to forgive Ricky for this earlier in his career, as he was just a kid whose head was filled with all sorts of talk about “being the franchise”. But he’s not a kid anymore. Hopefully he’s learned a lot by sitting out all this time…especially about being honest about his injuries. And also about cutting down on the distractions. Being a third defenseman, fighting with everyone that comes in the crease, constantly yapping at forwards, etc. Trust your team to fight some battles for you, and just, for now, worry about stopping the puck and playing your angles.

4-3 Isles today…

]]> By: Meg http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible/#comment-6160 Meg Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:57:58 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=2873#comment-6160 Wow. In the words of Chris Crocker, LEAVE RICKY ALONE! sheesh Wow. In the words of Chris Crocker, LEAVE RICKY ALONE! sheesh

]]> By: Willis http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible/#comment-6156 Willis Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:53:25 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=2873#comment-6156 Bloggers say anything they want so they can hook you into responding. I call it feeding the fish. Throw something into the pond and all the stupid fish swim on over to it and start to peck at it. Don't expect Josh Bailey anytime soon. Josh Bailey's been activated. Josh Bailey's making his debut. And here we all are, swimming around the different sites, checking things out, throwing thoughts and opinions around...........somebody always bites. Bloggers say anything they want so they can hook you into responding. I call it feeding the fish. Throw something into the pond and all the stupid fish swim on over to it and start to peck at it. Don’t expect Josh Bailey anytime soon. Josh Bailey’s been activated. Josh Bailey’s making his debut. And here we all are, swimming around the different sites, checking things out, throwing thoughts and opinions around………..somebody always bites.

]]> By: Rich http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible/#comment-6145 Rich Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:15:14 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=2873#comment-6145 Hey CB I thought you said Mark Parrish was nowhere near NHL ready when the Isles sent him to Bridgeport. 'A hat trick return' Hmmm I wonder why we couldn't use that veteran presence to try and lock down third periods. Another head scratching move. Hey CB I thought you said Mark Parrish was nowhere near NHL ready when the Isles sent him to Bridgeport. ‘A hat trick return’ Hmmm I wonder why we couldn’t use that veteran presence to try and lock down third periods. Another head scratching move.

]]> By: Rob http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/rick-dipietro-speaksplans-on-returning-as-soon-as-humanly-possible/#comment-6143 Rob Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:11:07 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=2873#comment-6143 Chris A, because DP had a good half-season, and made one All-Star appearance, that means that he has proven himself over his career to be a top-tier goalie? You know who else was a goalie for the Eastern Conference All-Stars last year? Tim Thomas. How has his career been? And I'm not sure if it's still an official rule that each team must have at least one All-Star representative, but if it's not an official rule then it certainly seems to be an unofficial one. Who else was going to represent the Isles last year? Richard Park? Darryl Bootland? Chris A, because DP had a good half-season, and made one All-Star appearance, that means that he has proven himself over his career to be a top-tier goalie? You know who else was a goalie for the Eastern Conference All-Stars last year? Tim Thomas. How has his career been?

And I’m not sure if it’s still an official rule that each team must have at least one All-Star representative, but if it’s not an official rule then it certainly seems to be an unofficial one. Who else was going to represent the Isles last year? Richard Park? Darryl Bootland?

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