In my time blogging about the Islanders, I have not really come across a day so full of news and rumors as this one. Hopefully, the trend will not continue…. (just kidding).
For starters, Rick DiPietro has been cleared to play and practiced with the team today. Newsday's Greg Logan also made his return today with a blog post on this mornings practice and said Ricky has nothing more than a bad contusion below his eye. Ted Nolan will not say if Ricky will go tomorrow until after the skate tomorrow morning. This wait will be nothing compared to the wait on our franchise goaltender's prognosis.
Did you hear that?
I believe I just heard the largest collective sigh of relief the internet has ever seen. For one, the Rick has no long-term effects from Sid the kid's stick and also because our beloved Greg Logan has returned to the Isles beat. In no way am I knocking Mark Herrmann and John Jeansonne, but it's always nice to return to familiarity.
Injury bug commeth
Hopefully this bug isn't too contagious and our boy Martinek steers clear – because fellow defenseman Aaron Johnson was injured at practice today in a collision with Brendan Witt. Logan says the injury is "an unspecified injury to his right knee" in his blog. No real news on who would replace Johnson – but I assume it would be a forward as he was on 4th line duty.
Rumor du jour
Rumblings on this vast expanse "invented" by Al Gore seem to point to an imminent return of injured defenseman Bryan Berard – which if true would be perfect timing. Not only would it be nice to have Berard back, but our power-play could use a shot in the arm (pardon the pun) right now.
Engagement
Word on the street has is that our boy Rick DiPietro has proposed to his long time Ford Model girlfriend. I don't know how much weight to put into this – but if it is indeed true – Congratulations Rick!
If I hear anything confirming some of these rumors, I will post up an update.
