DP Is Closing In On The End

As much as it pains me to say it, I would be willing to bet that Rick DiPietro's career will be ending sooner rather than later. Its obvious that his body cannot maintain the stress that is consistently put on an NHL goaltenders body. The once promising goalie that was, at one time, the face of the Islanders franchise has now become a distraction and a burden. The 15 year death trap the Isles got themselves in, at the time, was not a bad thing. A star goalie being wrapped up for his entire career at just $4.5 Million a year was a steal. But now its created quite the dilemma as no other team in their right mind would trade for that HUGE contract and to buy him out would mean his cap hit would still be around when he is living in a nursing home, granted how fragile he is that will probably be happening in 5 years or so but you get my point. It would be in the Isles best interest for Ricky to retire so they can began looking towards the future in net and not have to go through the annual event of the "Ricky Show" in which he has a re-accuring injury and he has to be shut down for the year, after which the Isles end up going into panic mode to find a goalie to take his spot (ex. Joey Mac, Yann Danis). Now don't get me wrong I am a HUGE fan of Rick (my 5 DP jerseys and DP Game Used stick attest to that) and I really really wish Rick could get healthy and return to his form of being an All Star but in my opinion there is no possible way that can happen and although I know DiPietro wants more than anything to keep playing and lead the Isles (someday) to a Stanley Cup, in his best interest retirement might have to be done. The fact that he is a 29 year old man that has had to have a hip surgery, two knee surgeries, more than a few concussions, and various other physical ailments is extremely troubling to not only his hockey career but his life. His life as he gets older will be one hell of an awful time, as trying to move around and just live a normal life will be difficult. To continue to add to this list and to add more problems to his body, would make it even worse. For both the Islanders and Rick DiPietro, it may be best to close the book on the disappointing and sad career of Rick DiPietro.