The Islanders secured a part of their future yesterday, but in terms of their present, today is certainly more crucial.
Shortly after the team announced that it had signed first-round pick Josh Bailey to a three-year deal, head coach Scott Gordon talked about Rick DiPietro’s return to practice, which is scheduled for today’s morning skate in Syosset before the Isles face the Devils in Newark tonight.
“I’m sure he’s excited about it,” Gordon said of the goalie, who has been out since March after surgery on his hip, as well as surgery in June on his knee.
Gordon said that DiPietro could play in the team’s final preseason game in Florida on Monday.
“We’ll gauge the game on Monday,” Gordon said. “Maybe he’ll only play two periods. The plan is for him to play three. He hasn’t seen a shot since [March] and we don’t want to put him in a situation where he overextends himself.”
Bailey, who was selected ninth overall, remains out with an injury and has played in only one preseason game. It hasn’t been determined yet whether he will open the season with the Islanders or in juniors.
“We certainly wouldn’t want him to be a fourth-line center [this year with the Islanders],” Gordon said of Bailey, who turned 19 yesterday. “That’s not going to help his career.”
“It’s been a little frustrating,” Bailey said of the missed time. “My goal is that I want to start here.”
Gordon also added that Andy Sutton had surgery, but didn’t put a timetable on his return.