Breaking news here, the Islanders just called a press conference regarding the status of goaltender Rick DiPietro. He has now been shutdown until next season – hopefully giving him ample time to recover and reach 100% by the start of 09/10. Here is the press release:
The New York Islanders have announced that goaltender Rick DiPietro will miss the remainder of the 2008-09 season. Team doctors have referred to the decision as precautionary due to swelling in the knee that DiPietro had arthroscopic knee surgery on to repair a meniscus injury on October 31st. DiPietro is expected to resume skating this summer in preparation for the 2009-10 season.
“After extensive consultation we feel this decision is in the best interest for Rick and the team,” said Garth Snow, New York Islanders General Manager. “This will allow Rick ample time to make a full recovery for next year.”
Added DiPietro: “This has been one of the most frustrating situations I have ever had to deal with, but this is the right decision for me and the team.” “I am confident this will allow me to make a complete recovery, be ready in plenty of time for next season and compete to my highest ability for many years to come. I’d like to thank Islanders fans for their patience and I look forward to playing in front of them next season.”
DiPietro, an NHL All-Star starter last season, has played in five games this season and has a record of 1-3-0 with a 3.52 goals against average and a .892 save percentage. Drafted by the Islanders with the first overall pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, DiPietro has played in 273 NHL games and has a record of 117-112-8-24 with a 2.79 goals against average and a .905 save percentage
Better safe than sorry i guess…I’m sill pissed. This is what he gets for showing off. Should have kept Luongo and drafted Healty and Kept Chara…Thanks Milbury
1) So how did he evere get medicaly cleared to play at all this season??
He was ready apparently, but the problem with swelling likely kept him from being allowed back full time.
I would have been fine with keeping him out from the get-go.
Isles get their first win in 10 games and theres still no blog about it 4 days later…..zzzzzzzzzzzz
The media keeps reporting that Rick Di Pietro is finished for the season. Well… guess what… he is finished for good. Unless Garth Snow doesn’t know it yet, Di Pierto has 2 bad nknees and 2 bad hips, and he pulls muscles and ligaments all the time. Even when he was younger and healthy, he was too inconsistent. So does Mr. Snow believe that Rick will soon thrive in a league that is now much younger and faster?
The Isles need to sign a good, and consistent, goaltender if they want a good 2009-10 season: Joey Mac Donald is just not NHL quality; Yann Danis will be a good backup, but that’s it; Peter Menino isn’t even a good minor league goaltender. While they’re at it… they should recruit some quality goalies for their farm teams as well. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.