Rick DiPietro was an All-Star in 2008 and remains the Islanders’ franchise goaltender, but he also recognizes the fact that it will take time before he is treated like that again.
That might makelife a bit easier for coach Scott Gordon, as he goes through the process of figuring out how to keep two goalies who are accustomed to being No. 1 netminders sharp and content.
The notion of DiPietro competing for ice time is somewhat new to the former Olympian and top overall draft pick, but now is a reality as he comes back from knee surgery that kept him out for a year.
“There’s different circumstances now,” DiPietro said after practice yesterday at the Coliseum, where the surging Isles will host the Devils tonight (7 p.m.; MSG Plus; WMJC, 94.3 FM), likely with DiPietro in net. “It’s definitely different. But I didn’t expect to come back after a year off and for it to be exactly the same as when I left.”
Instead, he has returned to find Dwayne Roloson an important piece to a surprising Isles squad.
“[Roloson]’s played great,” DiPietro said. “Whoever is playing well and gives us the best chance to win is gonna play. I’m just happy for the chance to contribute.”
How much will be up to Gordon, who will be thinking not just about this season, but also the future. And Roloson’s solid performance has made it easier for Gordon to resist any temptation to rush DiPietro.
“[Roloson’s] done a great job getting us to this point and we’re not just looking at Rick coming back from an injury for a short amount of time,” Gordon said. “He had major surgery. . . . It’s not just about what he does on the ice this year, but his career. We want to approach this with the mindset, ‘Let’s build things up and not just throw [him in] all at once.’ ”
So, at least until the Olympic break next month, Gordon will continue the rotation.
“Obviously Ricky is a key part of our franchise and future and then we have another guy who is also playing very well,” Gordon said, “there’s no reason not to play both.”