DiPietro Done For The Year???

You can never have too much pitching. That's the trend these days in Major League Baseball. The NFL, not far behind with a new wave of multiple running back systems. But can the same be said for the NHL at the most important position? The Goaltender? How about an emphatic NO!!!

I subscribe to the theory, especially in todays NHL, that if you have two goalies...you have no goalie. What if you have three? Such is the predicament the New York Islanders face when training camp opens for the not so far away beginning of the 2009-2010 season.

This week the Isles signed free agent net minder Marty Biron to a one year deal. Probably a good idea to get a veteran guy in, considering the amount of time the franchise goalie Rick DiPietro has spent NOT on the ice. Except...Garth Snow already did that! Back in early July the team signed their first veteran goalie Dwayne Roloson to a two year deal. Now why on earth would the team need 3 veteran guys in net? The point is...THEY DON'T! They only need two. Which is exactly what they have...assuming you believe as I do, that DP will miss all of the upcoming season.

You don't have to stretch too far to see this one coming. With most of his 15 year deal still ahead of him, why would the team rush back the former number one pick, especially when the post season seems as far away as a New York Mets World Title! ( Don't get me started!)

The post-arthroscopic surgical swelling in his right knee which forced Rick to miss all but five games of last season, doesn't seem ready, willing and able to allow the 28-year-old to get back to all star status. Wait a minute...at this point just being in uniform would be a big step forward!

This off-season has certainly been one the team hopes can be thought of as the page turner. Number one overall pick John Tavares, who is signed and ready to go, is supposed to help desperate fans forget about the not so memorable distant past. But considering the short fuse, always angry, never satisfied New York sports fan, how can anyone feel a sense of positivity with Grandpa Dwayne or castaway Marty between the pipes? The summer of 2009 was supposed to be when we could just start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I argue that not only can we NOT see the light...but it isn't even there!

The Islanders may have the star power skater they need. But the last line of defense will spend his time as close to a medicine ball as possible...and best friends with the underwater treadmill and stationery bike. John Tavares...welcome to the Island...your home for the next two seasons. Then its time to do your real estate/property homework for Kansas City.