Comments on: RICK DiPIETRO IS RIGHT ON SCHEDULEBut what’s the schedule? What’s the plan?

By: UIF

UIF — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:46:03 +0000

Well, I think the Islanders every once in a while need to have it all laid out plainly like CB did here. Notice how injury reports were at least a bit more honest after CB and Logan complained about the ridiculous policy earlier last season?

The “explanations” in the Newsday story by Garth and Ricky are absurd. Ricky says he doesn’t want to be a distraction? You already are because of the secretive policy! We don’t need 50 different cryptic updates – that’s a distraction. We just need one HONEST update. Period. What happened, what’s still wrong, when can we expect to see you at 100 percent. If those questions were answered honestly months ago, it would not have turned into this circus.

By: CIsle

CIsle — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:22:14 +0000

I was disappointed with this summer’s draft. I felt there was no need for drafting two goalies and there was need to trade five picks to get a Dman at 12 who was expected to go 20-30. Seeing Roloson and Biron get signed has me very happy in light of the coming season because Dipi comeback or not, this team will feature a very reasonable and solid goaltending duo, if not trio.

Still, their being signed and the signing of Munroe & Lawson makes me all the more disappointed that this franchise skipped out on a bevy of 2nd/3rd round talent to make the moves it did. Sure, all will be forgiven if de Haan turns into Boyle and Koskinen into Kiprusoff, but at the moment, far too little was made of deep draft and a plethora of picks going into it.

Now, let’s just hope this team stays healthy and Biron/Roloson play the solid hockey they’re capable of, because if they do so, we can be the hunt this season. Every team has some strengths and weaknesses – we can be one of those clubs that other teams don’t (want to) take seriously and end slipping away with quite a few more victories than experts would expect of us.

By: KO21

KO21 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:04:22 +0000

I listen to bubba on Sirius XM, Howard 101, but I didn’t witness DP on the show…Id love to have heard how he handled himself in such an environment…Bubba is hard core

By: billy

billy — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:52:26 +0000

it would be funny to hear these same DP bashers make these same comments if he comes back in all-star form.

a bust is a guy who never acheives anything. DP has been in the playoffs a number of times and made the all star team, plus he played in the olympics. With or without this knee injury garbage the term bust could in no way be used to describe his career.

and our playoff exits had nothing to do with his play, u can blame that bum Yashin for that

but hey CB you finally got DP to speak out even indirectly and thats def commendable.

By: Bjorn Holland

Bjorn Holland — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:18:23 +0000

For me it’s shocking te read how some of you speak about DP, such a small amount of respect. Here in Europe where I live, there are some Isles fans. They are fans because of DP. He has personality. He is the face of the franchise. Here, DP is the whole Isles organization. If he could make it back, it would give the Isles a boost.

By: Jwinsjan

Jwinsjan — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:57:11 +0000

Truthfully this is all confusing and is all speculation. only reason i can see for having so many goalies is to find the diamond in the rough with the prospects and to try and keep those prospects in a developmental situations since they won’t get much playing time sitting on the bench behind biron or rolo. I can’t picture being able to deal any of them off anytime soon since there seems to be an abundance of goalies throughout the league unless a team is in serious cap trouble and can’t sign a fa.
The DP situation is a little scary. I hopes he comes back and can be a part of the team. however if he can’t come back and there is no insurance on his contract the Islanders will probably have to eat it which will be that much we can’t spend on some one else.
I hope the best for this team. I’ve been a fan as far back as i can remember even with my father being a rags fan and trying to go over to the dark side. I’ll never give up on the Islanders been a fan too long and suffered through too much to give up now.

By: kreatiiv

kreatiiv — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:49:28 +0000

lets face it management doesnt think DP is playing again the same way or for very long…. the biron signing sealed it for me. look for DP to be late in coming back, play a few games, and get “swelling” again or totally suck from fear of straining his body.

also look not for biron to be trade bait, but for him to develop a rapport with the youngsters on the team and sign an extension before the season ends.

I think snow is looking at biron being the true cornerstone and developing the draft picks to pick up behind him for the future…. i think DP is just too injury prone and management knows it.

i also dont, and bet they dont either, like his general attitude about the whole thing. it bothered me a great deal when he said in the interview that if he was healthy he would want to play in the olympics and why shouldnt he….. um… because you are injury prone and getting hurt playing for anyone but the team that pays you that ungodly sum of money at this point is reckless and immature?

i was impressed with DPs style and athleticism when he first signed on but have been less and less impressed with him as time goes on… both style and substance.

By: Viper

Viper — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:22:33 +0000

Point Blank with an edge…love it! Some times the truth hurts, but still needs to be told. Thanks, Chris.

By: tomunfiltered

tomunfiltered — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:28:29 +0000

The reality of the situation is: The Islanders made a ridiculous decision to sign DP to 15 years in the first place, apparently not taking into consideration the chance for serious injuries, but what’s done is done. If he isn’t ready to go “on schedule” (seriously – who has this schedule?) then so what? And I can say “so what” b/c of the moves made this summer (which should tell the real story about DP’s progress). Even if DP couldn’t play for the next 2 seasons, he’s still an Islander – we can’t move an injured goalie – Let him recover at the slowest pace possible. I like this guy, and I love his passion – But b/w Roloson and Biron, and the kids they drafted, the only thing we can do is be patient with DiPietro. I’m just not that worried . . . .

By: John from ATL

John from ATL — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:26:22 +0000

It does sound like we don’t know the whole story about DP’s injury or that we ever will, until maybe when he retires.

CB makes some good points that, if DP was going to be 100% sometime this season, why all the moves for goalies.

Either way the Isles blew it at the draft. They probable could have had de Haan with the 26th pick, one of the forwards mentioned by CB with the 1st pick in the 2nd round. One of the D-men with the early 2nd round (Toronto) pick and still probable been able to take Koskinen with the late (Boston) second round pick.

By: Battfist

Battfist — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:08:19 +0000

The best goalies in the league have said DP has the skills to be an elite goalie…once he puts it all together. But he hasnt…. For DP to think he has a chance to represent USA this Olympics, is a sign he’ll never get it. If that makes any sense.

Snow gets the benefit of the doubt until his picks play in the League. Now if he takes a goalie in next years draft….oh nelly!

By: StevieL

StevieL — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:06:52 +0000

CB! Great read!! The unbiased commentary is very welcome!! I am with you! If DP is on schedule and comes back 100% at “any” time this season, Garth has a lot of explaining to do regarding his 2009 draft,especially that 1st pick day 2!! I cringe to think what a Lou Lamorillo could have built with all our picks the last 2 years! I am not killing Garth yet, he still gets the benefit of the doubt, but let’s remember, he has built as many contending playoff Hockey teams as anybody who posts here at PB. He has never done anything like this before nor is he surrounded by “brilliant” Hockey people! He has not earned unwavering respect by any means! Some young talent has to step up somewhere this year!!We sure did pass on a lot of talent for his “reaches”!