Now I expect this from the unintelligent rag fan that suffers from the miserable existance caused by rooting for a team that is historically worse than pretty much everyone other than the Chicago Cubs-

But I’d hope for more loyality and support from the real islander fans.

It’s not DP fault that he was injured/reinjured and nobody can really question his character, heart, commitment, and desire to win-

The man is a competitor, and a great one at that- If he believes he can comeback, than he will, and he will do everything in his power to make it back, make it back quickly, to return to his great form, to get even better, and to ultimately lead us to many many victories in the future……

Dont Count #39 Out Just Yet…….

JT + DP + LH = Bright Future

Personal bias aside, I realize the Isles due need to have a valid backup plan. I think whoever we sign is looking at starting 50% of the season. First off any goalie worth his weight will not sign a two-way contract. Also I would not be opposed to signing a 30 something goalie, with the idea, that he can be a steady influence on our kids.
Heck I wouldnt mind sigining two 30 something goalies and trading one during the season for more picks.

all those leagues are NHL washups for guys that cant make the NHL.

I pray each day that DP could return healthy. Its just hard to accept given he is goalie. THat position is very stressful on hips and joints. Surgery is Surgery, its never going to be same.

Bodeur – too old but still one of the best

Lundquist – one of the best

Fleury – Are you drunk? He has rarely won a game for the Pens in the playoffs. He lets up too many rebounds. Yes, he is one game from a Cup but that doesn’t mean he is better than DP.

Khabibulin – Not better than DP

Backstrom – Good goalie but benefits immensely from the Wild’s d-first philosophy under Lemaire (see M. Fernandez as another example). We’ll see what he is made of under a different coach.

Mason – great, young up and comer. Again, though, plays for Hitchcock.

Miller – as good as DP or little better

Luongo – great goalie, better than DP

Kiprusoff – hasn’t been great in a couple of years. Hasn’t been really great since Calgary stopped playing coach Sutter’s all out defense scheme. Look at his stats, which have gone downhill.

Osgood – My god, you would choose Osgood over DP? Do you think it is a fluke that he is resurrected on the best team in the entire league? GM Holland has even said he refuses to spend his money on a top-flight goaltender and would rather put it into his defence.

Nabokov – great regular season goaltender on one of the most talented regular season teams in the league. Better than DP? Put DP on the sharks and see what happens.

Rask is a stud and will be Boston’s back-up next season. He will slowly take over the starter’s role for the Bruins over the next couple of years – even before Thomas’ contract expires. He is not going anywhere – certainly not for a late second rounder!

I think DP is a great goaltender and I think his stats and selection to the ASG reflect that. He has carried this team when he has been healthy. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been healthy for over a year. On top of that, there is not much information concerning his recovery except the team’s token response that they “expect” him to be there at training camp. I also don’t put much stock into the people who say he’s been limping, my friend saw him, etc. However, I do put alot of stock into the silence from the team, especially from the player himself? Why would he keep quiet? Why would the team be so secretive if their franchise goaltender – in whom they have committed 12 more years – was definately on track in his recovery and they were confident he would be ready for training camp? I can understand keeping injuries under wrap during the season and playoffs but their continued silence now says to me that things are still up in the air and they don’t know for sure how it will all work out.
Thats just my opinion on the information I see in front of me. I hope he comes back because a healthy DP with the Isles young nucleus would be huge next year!

I said it long before gordon did in papers. Isles season will depend on health of DP or if we can get good goalie if he cannot play.

I have no interest in Bulin as he gets hurts and will demand big $. Biron would be great option in the event that DP retires.

I do like Anderson option. Clemmonson would work on 2 yrs deal but is pretty old. NO THANKS to Conklin.

I’m the biggest Tavares fan. But If you told me that DP was going to be 100% healthy but we had to take Duchene or Hedman, i would do that in heartbeat.