The Islanders are a team increasingly reliant on young players, but eyes were on a pair of veterans yesterday, as center Doug Weight and goalie Rick DiPietro both practiced.
Weight is trying to salvage the second half of a disappointing season, and DiPietro would simply like to play on Long Island sooner rather than later, especially as the Isles slide down the Eastern Conference standings.
“That’s certainly why I was out here,” Weight said after practice, referring to the team’s three straight losses and four in a row at home.
Weight did not score a goal in the 11 games he played before being sidelined with a shoulder injury on Nov. 6.
“I’m sick of wasting time,” Weight said. “We’re not that far behind and not that I’m gonna be a savior, but I want to help. I want to play in some meaningful hockey games and show this organization that I can play.”
Weight was named captain before the season, his second with the Isles.
“It was an honor to be placed in the position I’m in and I’m disappointed as hell,” Weight said. “I wanna get back on the ice and see if I can help out.”
But that won’t be tonight when the Isles host Toronto (7:00, MSG Plus, WMJC 94.3 FM). DiPietro, who completed four periods in the minors before experiencing stiffness in his left leg, also needs more work.
“So far, it’s responded well,” DiPietro said of the leg, which he tested briefly on Monday before the team’s morning skate and then again yesterday. “Next time I’m out there [in a game], I’ll look forward to playing a full three.”
That task won’t be made easier by the Isles’ schedule, which doesn’t allow for another practice until Monday at the earliest.
“Nothing’s gonna happen right away,” coach Scott Gordon said. “The last thing he needs is another break, but we’re all encouraged with where his knee is.”
DiPietro said he is trying to stay patient.
“You can’t control the schedule,” DiPietro said. “It’s been a challenge all along and the schedule is so condensed now, with limited practice time, it’s another hurdle to get over.”