Does anone think Rick DiPietro will back on the roster?

[stranger34]

I don't ever want to see him on the big club ever again.

 

[HyeDray]

He won't be back this season.

Next season — who knows.

I think having a regular game to game schedule is a chance to see if his body can hold up.


BUT — and this is the big BUT....

Mentally, can he learn to use better judgment and play the position of goaltender? I don't think he has EVER learned how to be an NHL goalie. I think he can be EXCELLENT when he remains in position, focused on stopping the puck above all else. But when he roams, tries to over handle the puck, it ALWAYS leads to disaster.

Think about it — can anyone recall a time where Red Light made a serious impact on the offense? The answer is NO. And the same could be said for Brodeur. The job of the goalie is not to make a quick outlet pass. The first function of a goalie is to prevent the puck from going into the net. That is very hit & miss with DiPietro — and unless he learns that in the NHL, teams scout him, know his habits and trademark moves, and know how they can beat him.

"If we are playing the Islanders, and they start DiPietro, high forward in deep and force the turnover, second forward on the half wall to intercept outlet pass for easy goal."

Until he stops that sh_t, he does not belong in the NHL. Nabokov while showing signs of age is a far better option, and I will take Poulin with some flaws and upside where he can learn.

I think a target for the Islanders in a deal or a free agent should be a goalie to support and work with Nabokov. If UFA – I would not mind adding Jimmy Howard, or Nick Backstrom. Whether or not either will be available by the time Jul 1 comes is another story. But Nabokov, for all some of the trouble he is having is doing OK. A slightly younger Backstrom, and a 28 year old Howard would certainly bolster the position. I just dont know that Det. is going to let Howard go.