It seems like when it comes to the New York Islanders, nothing ever goes smoothly.
Take the beginning of this season for example. The team has already lost defenseman Mark Streit and forward Kyle Okposo for significant time due to injuries sustained in training camp/pre-season and the puck hasn't even dropped to start the regular season. I guess you can call it a case of bad luck.
However, Islander fans and pundits alike are also concerned about the health of another player, goaltender Rick DiPietro.
As of right now (knock on wood), DiPietro is healthy and apparently feels better than he has in a long time. He had a solid pre-season and looks ready to begin the regular season.
What is forgotten in all this is that DiPietro is a solid netminder. His play during the 2006-07 season helped the Isles get into the playoffs; and in the following season, he was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
DiPietro has quick feet, a good glove hand and is also a tremendous puck handler, something that could really help the Islanders' depleted defense this season.
However, when he's hurt, none of the above matters. DiPietro missed most of last season due to injury and the goaltending reigns were handed to Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron.
Roloson could easily be looked at as the team's most valuable player last season as he did everything he could to keep them in games.
With that being said, there is no doubt that the team would have rather had a healthy DiPietro in net and with good reason. Since being signed to that long-term contract in the fall of 2006, DiPietro is the guy that fans want to see on the ice since the club is paying him so much money.
That is why it is important that this season, DiPietro is healthy, gets the right amount of playing time and shows the fan and the organization that he was worth the signing three seasons ago.
Could this be the year for a healthy DiPetro? Only time will tell.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Take the beginning of this season for example. The team has already lost defenseman Mark Streit and forward Kyle Okposo for significant time due to injuries sustained in training camp/pre-season and the puck hasn't even dropped to start the regular season. I guess you can call it a case of bad luck.
However, Islander fans and pundits alike are also concerned about the health of another player, goaltender Rick DiPietro.
As of right now (knock on wood), DiPietro is healthy and apparently feels better than he has in a long time. He had a solid pre-season and looks ready to begin the regular season.
What is forgotten in all this is that DiPietro is a solid netminder. His play during the 2006-07 season helped the Isles get into the playoffs; and in the following season, he was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
DiPietro has quick feet, a good glove hand and is also a tremendous puck handler, something that could really help the Islanders' depleted defense this season.
However, when he's hurt, none of the above matters. DiPietro missed most of last season due to injury and the goaltending reigns were handed to Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron.
Roloson could easily be looked at as the team's most valuable player last season as he did everything he could to keep them in games.
With that being said, there is no doubt that the team would have rather had a healthy DiPietro in net and with good reason. Since being signed to that long-term contract in the fall of 2006, DiPietro is the guy that fans want to see on the ice since the club is paying him so much money.
That is why it is important that this season, DiPietro is healthy, gets the right amount of playing time and shows the fan and the organization that he was worth the signing three seasons ago.
Could this be the year for a healthy DiPetro? Only time will tell.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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