LIVE BLOG: DiPIETRO’S NON-OPTIONAL PRACTICE
Still no timetable for AHL stint and NHL return
Chris Botta on Twitter
Rick DiPietro’s post-practice comments at bottom
11:50 am, Iceworks - Good day, everyone. No, this is not a momentous day. But I’m here, so I figured what the heck.
11:54 - Rob Schremp takes the ice, followed by Tim Jackman. Although the word last night from the Islanders was that only scratches from the Toronto game would practice today, that’s not going to be the case.
11:56 - Rick DiPietro emerges from the locker room. He is wearing white pads and a blue practice jersey. His first step on the ice is with his right foot. (Just play along with me, Country. I already used my walk-on-water line with John Tavares. And besides, the way Dwayne Roloson played last night, there is no need for DiPietro to be a savior).
12:01 pm - Assistant coach Scott Allen is running this optional on-ice workout. Head coach Scott Gordon is in his coach’s office at Iceworks. Allen takes the ice. Goalie coach Mike Dunham joins him.
12:03 - Allen meets with the group at center ice and goes over the goals of the practice. I’m not too far away, but I did not hear Allen tell the troops to deke DiPietro into Cirque de Soleil contortions.
12:05 - In a two-minute drill, Schremp takes the first shot on DiPietro. OMG it was the greatest friggin’ save I have ever seen in…nah, he just blockers a wrister.
12:07 - The practice lineup: Schremp, Jackman, Jon Sim, Blake Comeau, Jeff Tambellini and Josh (50% From the Floor in his last three games) Bailey.
12:10 - Allen has the boys take the puck at the blue line, do a pair of spins and then fire a wrister from about 20 feet. DiPietro handles the ones on goal with ease. He appears to be comfortable.
12:12 - I would have bet the ranch on this one: Tambellini beats DiPietro with his trademark wrister just inside the post.
12:14 - The goalie lets out his first loud profanity of the afternoon after Tambellini beats him again.
12:16 - When Comeau scores, DiPietro voices his first soft profanity of the afternoon, this time adding an adverb.
12:25 - Contrary to what many readers have said Howie Rose has mentioned on TV – didn’t see it and know know if he did – DiPietro has not changed his goaltending style at all. End of that story.
12:27 - Scott Gordon leaves his office for five minutes to observe DiPietro. “Looks good,” he says.
12:28 - The drills continue. One player makes a pass to the blueline, skates to the net for screen or deflection.
12:32 - DiPietro continues to handle the workload with no visible discomfort. He is also focused and serious. No clowning around.
12:34 - A little half-court 2-on-1. The goalie doesn’t have much of a chance in this drill.
12:44 - The formal part of the workout is over. DiPietro skates to the blue line and stretches. Dunham comes over to chat.
12:46 - As DiPietro leaves the ice he says, “Thanks fellas.” Sim tells him, “Not bad.”
1:05 - Steve Marcus from Newsday and I just spoke with DiPietro, as captured by Islanders TV. A summary:
There is no timetable for him to start playing games for Bridgeport of the AHL. “I’m not sure,” he said, unconvincingly.
He will not set a date for an NHL return. “I’m done putting down markers,” he said.
The Islanders’ lack of practices is not ideal, but he’ll get in the work whenever he can – including at Wednesday’s morning skate at the Coliseum.
DiPietro is not changing his style in his comeback. “I’ve always incorporated a little stand-up in my play,” he said. “I’m not changing anything.”
He is playing at 100%, with no restrictions in his movements.
He has gained perspective: “You realize how lucky you are to be a pro athlete when it’s taken away from you.”
DiPietro feels bad that he’s been out of the lineup for so long, but is determined to come back and win a Stanley Cup with the Islanders. “The expectations I put on myself are a lot more than anyone else could put on me,” he said. “Luckily for me, I have twelve years left to rectify the situation.This is where I want to be and I’m doing everything I can to improve and help this team get better. I know I haven’t been able to do that. I realize that and I’m sorry I’ve been hurt. I realize that and I’m sorry for that. It’s something you can’t control. I made a commitment to Charles and Long Island and I look forward to helping our team win for a long time.”
Comments. Comment Guidelines.
40 Responses to LIVE BLOG: DiPIETRO’S NON-OPTIONAL PRACTICE
Still no timetable for AHL stint and NHL return
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JimfromStjames says:
A few weeks ago Howie mentioned that one of the reasons DP has been taking so long is they are working on adjusting his game from a butterfly/Flop to more of a stand-up style.
Any thoughts on this CB? -
1) Nice to see Ricky progressing, and if last night is any indication, he can take his time!
2) So a few games in Bridgeport then back to the big team by the early part of 2010? -
Justin Marques says:
Tambellini’s wrist shot is just absolutely incredible. It is fair enough to say that Tambellini’s wrist shot is one of the best in the game, however, he doesn’t have the on-ice presence, awarness, or size to get it off as much as he would like to. If he was able to generate enough room to get that shot off (just like he did the night he had the hat trick), he could easily put up 25-30 goals a season in the NHL. When looking at his AHL career, it is the extra time and space he was given that allowed him to be so successful with such a wicked wrister.
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Moose says:
@4 agreed…You would think he would get that time and space on the PP but Gordon obviously doesn’t feel that way.
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Justin – it probably makes a case for him to play on a line with Hunter, Okposo and/or Tavares – people who can either play the body well or draw the D and create some space for his shot.
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IslandersWin86 says:
Breathtaking work, CB
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ken says:
a healthy DP will take a lot of the strain off our defense.. hopefully his ability to play the puck will limit our running around in our own end.
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Belarus says:
CB, thanks alot!
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Metalcoconut says:
Hey CB, how would you grade his performance? Does he look like he has lost close to 2 years?
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Alex G says:
Sounds like Ricky has grown up a little bit
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DaveyD says:
Even though Rolli is playing very well right now a healthy DP makes this team better. It’s good to see they r not rushing him and that he is taking his comeback so seriously. He is a competer and wants to win.
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D-man says:
it’s easy to forget how fun it was to watch him play. not sure where all the cruelty comes from over the past year instead of support… but once he’s back… fans will remember.
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ACIsles says:
#13 – I couldn’t agree more. When all we have been hearing about are players that we offered more money too and chose to play elsewhere we have a guy that wants to play his whole career on the Island. He should get nothing but support from the fans. I live in Toronto and am finally going to the Coliseum to watch a game for the 1st time on March 14th I hope he’s in net that game.
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peter puck says:
#14
March 14th Eh?
Should have 2nd place in the division wrapped up by then and breathing down the Pens neck for first overall
Nah – but its nice to dream
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Larry3039 says:
its amazing that dp is apologizing for being hurt. its something out of his control, yet he feels the need to say hes sorry to the fans. we cant wait for you to be back on the ice playing for us. no need to apologize, go get em ricky. with dipietro, tavares, okposo, bailey, bergie, joensuu, martin, moulson, streit, hillen, dehaan, hamonic, ness, maybe even petrov and a 2010 first rounder, this team should be a contender in the years to come. exciting times to be an islanders fan.
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Spittin'chicklets says:
Not that this matters .. but I’ve watched Rick play since day one. And after being exposed to Rolosons’ incredibly steady play since he’s been here, I’ve come to realize this much. Maybe it’s true Rick hasn’t and will not change his style of play one bit..and, I guess I would expect that much from him. BUT, you can’t play stand on your head, cat like reflexes goaltending in the NHL and live to have long standing success, you need to incorporate the calming effect a goaltenders stability offers by positioning, not overplaying and relying on your god given talent to get you through all the time, its just not right nor can the body be expected to make it through unscathed.. I hope Rick learns from the past, and indeed does decide to IF NOTHING ELSE, “Tweak” his playing style somewhat to ease his injury woes and impart some calming, stabalizing effects to the team in front of him. It’s not all about the Rick anymore.
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mrlbem says:
Ken, #9, I hope you’re right and that a healthy DP does take the strain off of the defense. However, now that the defense has adjusted to a more conventional mode of goaltending, I have a feeling that a healthy DP who has not changed his style of goaltending will result in a very stressed out defense. We shall see.
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Staten Islander says:
I love the “I still have 12 years to rectify the situation” quote. SHEEEEEEEEEEESH
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John says:
I for one am looking for the return of a healthy DP. He’s like having a 3rd D back there. for a fanbase that is crying about the D how can having him be a bad thing. Anyone who thinks this team is better without him only needs to look at the team prior to injury and look at the team after.
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starz31 says:
#20…i was loving that too…couldn’t stop laughing.
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Jim Clark says: Take your time and do it right, DP!
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mt275 says:
Spittin’chicklets – I agree 100%. Not that DP is a bad goalie. He certainly got enough talent to be a 1st tier goalie. He often made these spectacular saves, only to see on replay that he was out of position in the first place. With all that said, I’m still glad that he is coming back.
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25yearfan says:
CB, thanks for the update. As always, you rock.
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Rich says:
Glad DP is coming along, he said the right thing about being commited to the Islanders and Long Island– and as a fan, I believe he’s genuine in his feelings. Regarding the comments made by Howie Rose, who I do like and respect for many years, he’s got to tone some of those down. He’s starting to sound like Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti and the “holier than though” approach they take to broadcasting Ranger games.
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beatlebailey says:
I am over the DP drama. If he comes back great, if not we move on. If he is not our starting goalie for the next game then yawn…. spittin chicklets is the best screen name on here btw
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Since72 says:
Josh (50% From the Floor in his last three games) Bailey.
- Really liked that one CB
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Bigboo says:
This is great news for all us Islanders fans out there. Before Rick got hurt he quieted all his critics by playing all-star caliber hockey and continuing to play injured to try and help this team make the playoffs. You can tell by his comments after practice he is determined to make it back and take this team to many deep runs in the spring. Take your time DP and when your ready u will silence all the nay sayers again. Great article CB.. Looking forward to more updates on his progress
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cody says:
wow 12 more years…
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Hockey1919 says:
Roloson’s performance last night at 40 must make any Islander fan feel better about DiPietro’s 15 year contract.
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hockeytime says:
Hope Ricky comes back healthy and proves his doubters wrong.
Just sayin’- Bailey has more goals than Okposo now…what is up with that. -
Don’t get me wrong… I hope the Rick comes back better then ever..and works his magic back there like few other puck handling goalies evar! Especially for a team who’s strength shall we say isn’t on the back end, this is and can be a huge welcome for our defense and back checking forwards. Bottom line, we’ve got him for soooo long, we need him if for no other reason then to live up to his own expectations and the franchises, as well as the looming fact that no one else will touch him for at least the next few seasons due to his injury problems even at the ripe old age of 26. Not to mention that contract.. ugh I’ll be cheering real loud for DP when he’ gets back in the line up..(and praying reeeeal softly at the same time) Please God, don’t break the Rick again. GO ISLES !!
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Spartiarti-RVC says:
tambs does have the skills. he just has to keep driving to net.
Love DP’s fire. hope he can make his return. No need to rush. Also no wise to trade Biron just yet unless we get great Dman in return. Let LA sends us Jack Johnson.
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hathead68 says:
The solid goaltending of Biron and Roloson … who was fantastic last night… cannot be underestimated. That being said, Dipietro’s return will be a huge boost and will continue the positive buzz around the team. With Tavares, Okposo, Moulson, Bailey, and DiPietro, we just need a young stud defender (ala a bigger Streit), and we become a very dangerous team. Good times! Can’t wait to have you back between the pipes, DP!
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
@32. In my opinion, Okie is playing hurt. Maybe that friggin concussion is hunting him down. He just doesn’t look himself.
About DP – if he improves his positioning in the net it will help him a lot and will dicrease his injuries. -
Spinner9 says:
Vlad from B’lyn: I was wondering if he was having some after effects of the Swine flu and is maybe playing in a slightly weakened state.
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Chris says:
Alright, in short, who cares about an injured goalie who isn’t in the lineup? Sounds callous, but it’s true. Rick DiPietro is not buying my beers, lunch or child support. We have capable goaltenders in net this season who are performing — one who stopped 58 shots last night. When DiPietro can come back and do that, great. Until then, he had one good season where I think he won 32 games (tying Chris Osgood and Billy Smith for most ever in a single season by an Islanders goaltender).
I hope he gets better; I wish him well. But until he gets into an NHL crease, I really don’t care to read multiple paragraphs about the rehabilitation of Rick DiPietro.
Go Islanders. -
player says:
Good Lord, enough with the “when DP gets healthy” talk already. The guy is pushing 30 years old, been out of the league for two seasons and was a mediocre goalie at best when he was healthy! The focus moving forward should be on the two goalies we drafted this past Summer, not some washed up, never was, over hyped Milbury mistake. And we’re reminded of this every night watching Gaborik light it up with the Rangers.
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Hockey Guy in Canada says:
When Hagman blew by Meyer the other night and beat Roloson, the latter didn’t start waving his arms, shaking his head and making sure that the crowd knew his frustration at his defense and at the play that completed the comeback for the opposition. Then Roloson got up and stopped another million shots and won. If he had anything to say, it was said in the dressing room. Hopefully Rick comes back and becomes the goaltender we all know he can be.
It’s a good sign that DP didn’t trip over the rink end board on the way to the ice. I hope that he’ll be back by Groundhog Day.