Whatever chances the Islanders have at success this season rest on the shoulders – and more important, the surgically repaired hips and knee – of Rick DiPietro.
That’s why yesterday was perhaps the most important day thus far of the team’s training camp. The goalie faced shots for the first time since March in preparation for making his preseason debut, scheduled for Monday in Florida. From there, the Isles hope he’s ready for the season opener on Friday.
Even though he had been sidelined for six months following surgery in March on his hip and June on his left knee, DiPietro said he felt good and on the ice with his teammates yesterday, for what it’s worth, looked sharp.
“It felt really strong,” DiPietro said of his knee after his time on the ice in Syosset during the team’s morning skate prior to last night’s game against the Devils in Newark. “Today was the first day I extended, or hyper-extended the leg and it responded.”
That’s good news for an Islanders team whose roster is in transition, with young, inexperienced players mixing with veterans some would consider long in the tooth.
“In a perfect situation, I’d probably be playing in exhibition games already,” DiPietro said. “But I’m looking forward to going into the season healthy for once. I feel as good as I have in last three years, but it’s tough being patient. Maybe in the long run, it will help my maturity.”
And the long run is what the Isles are focusing on, as they have DiPietro under contract for another 13 years.