Imminent Doom for DP?

The idea that Rick DiPietro could be between the pipes for the Isles as soon as next week seemed a little too good to be true. It was.

After allowing one goal through two periods in his second AHL rehab start, Ricky was benched for the third period due to what the team called "some tightness". The report claimed that the tightness was unrelated to any of his previous injuries, but considering how many lower body injuries Rick has experienced over the past few seasons, it had to be. There was certainly a sense of further disaster in the Rick DiPietro saga.

Tonight, via Chris Botta of Islanders Point Blank, comes the following statement from GM Garth Snow:

“Ricky has been seen by the team doctors and most recently a specialist. To make sure we are taking the proper steps in his rehabilitation we will seek an additional opinion and should have a timeline by the end of the week.”

Needless to say, there is nothing positive about this report. The notion that DP could be back this month is officially out the window and now fans will play the waiting game for another announcement. But in all honesty, the announcements just don't really matter any more. DP has proven that he is simply not physically capable of overcoming his plethora of injuries and returning to NHL shape. If four total periods of minor league hockey is all Ricky could muster after 11 months of rehab from his countless number of injuries and surgeries, then chances are he is a lost cause.

Sure, the Islanders won't easily give up on their 15-year investment and "franchise player", but the team is already preparing for the worst. The fact that the team drafted goaltenders in the second and third rounds of the '09 draft in addition to signing two "number 1s" in the offseason was certainly a sign about the bleak future of Rick DiPietro.

Now, with a timeline expected by the end of the week, I'll make the bold prediction that we don't see Rick DiPietro starting between the pipes for the Isles for the rest of the '09-'10 season. While there's nothing more I would love than to be proven wrong, I think it's time that those who haven't done so already begin to face the music. It would certainly be sad to see the career of such a talented, charismatic, and just plain likable guy be cut so short, but to suggest that this is far from the truth is being in denial.

HNLI Quick Hits

Ricky D Returns Tonight

The Scoop: After an eleven month hiatus from game action and a ton of rehab time, Rick DiPietro gets back between the pipes for the first time in a long time tonight. While the big club is in action in Tampa Bay, DiPietro and the Soundtigers take on the Springfield Falcons at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport tonight at 7pm.

Our Take: It's about time! As Chris Botta points out today on Islanders Point Blank, the Islanders put up the facade that Ricky would be able to make an appearance around the middle of training camp. Three months later, DiPietro will face twenty to thirty minutes of minor league action. Give it at least another few weeks before any kind of starting goaltending controversy ensues.

Former Isles Coach Takes the Reigns in Philly

The Scoop: The Philadelphia Flyers made John Stevens the first coach of the young NHL season to get the boot and were quick to find a replacement. Peter Laviolette, the man who brought the Islanders to the playoffs after an eight year drought and won a Stanley Cup in Carolina, will take over behind the bench for the Flyers. Full Story at TSN.

Our Take: The Stevens firing seemed inevitable and who better to fill the slot than Laviolette. To this day I detest the decision by the Isles to fire Laviolette, who has done great things everywhere that he has been. For the Flyers, things can only go up with Laviolette behind the bench. The Isles take on the Flyers Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Stay tuned to hockeynightonlongisland.com for upcoming scheduling information and more commentary and analysis! Lets Go Islanders!

HNLI Returns This Sunday

After an unanticipated hiatus, Hockey Night on Long Island will be returning to the airwaves this Sunday at 3:30 PM EST. Hosts Steve and Alex will be joined by special guest Tom Liodice (TheTigerTrack.com) for sixty minutes of intense hockey talk. At the forefront of the banter will be the Islanders' position going into the NHL Draft, the recent criticism of John Tavares, the Bridgeport Soundtigers' playoff series, and of course the NHL playoffs. You can throw in some more topics or give your two cents on any of these by calling in by phone, sending an IM, or joining other listeners in the HNLI chatroom. It is going to be an exciting episode that no hockey fan should miss!

Interesting Roundtable and Lighthouse Discussion

Saturday's (April 4) episode of Hockey Night on Long Island was certainly a memorable one. With an tumultuous situation surrounding the chase for last place, hosts Alex and Steve were joined by "representatives" from the blogging communities of both the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning. Needless to say, putting fans who have become used to losing together on the same program makes for some interesting banter. This one-of-a-kind segment is definitely worth catching on the archive if you missed Saturday's live broadcast. You can also subscribe to the podcast version by searching "Hockey Night on Long Island" in the iTunes music store.

Saturday's HNLI also touched upon the chaos that is the Lighthouse Project, the Soundtigers' playoff stint at the Coliseum, college free agents, the final four, and much more.