Noon: The deed has been done. Rick DiPietro has been placed on unconditional waivers. I am pretty sure that must be a burning feeling he has right now.
Art Staple's Newsday story has Mr. Snow telling Rick before the summer began. This still must have been difficult for everyone involved.
The Isles have also extended qualifying offers to Josh Bailey, Brett Gallant, David Ullstrom (really?), Travis Hamonic, Thomas Hickey and Kevin Poulin.
Also, Jesse Joensuu will not be returning to the Isles.
Hal Gill and Jeff Schultz are also on waivers. Keith Ballard has cleared waivers. This could be a big NHL player cry fest day.
10:23 am Tuesday: An excellent take on the Isles situation by GARTH http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/GARTH/Islanders-Need-A-Starting-Goalie/6/52476#.UdLh3J3D96k here on Hockeybuzz.com.
I am beginning to worry. With the lack of qualified UFA goalies out there, I'm wondering if Mr. Snow will go outside the box and outside the league. Could he begin to look overseas for a starter that will fit the plan?
I like Miller, and I would not complain if I see him in an Isles jersey, but perhaps his goalie move will be one that is unconventional.
Just a thought.
Also I can confirm that Islanders General Manager isn't getting much sleep as he was answering emails at 5:45 this morning. Early bird -- hopefully gets a goalie.
11:13 pm: Just as an aside, I understand how many fans were hoping this day would come, but please try to understand that while Rick DiPietro will be paid handsomely for years, it doesn't take away the pain of a dream lost.
No one worked harder than this man to battle his injuries and bad luck. He may have been a lightening rod for controversy, but all he ever wanted was to win and help the team win. He always felt it was HIS team and HIS responsibility. The guy who is in the net plays the entire game (usually), he can steal a game or cause the loss. But all he wanted to do was -- win.
Give him that at least.
9:03 pm: Well, it seems the RDP era is over. Art Staple of NY Newsday has tweeted out that the NY Islanders will indeed place Rick DiPietro on waivers tomorrow in order to use their compliance buyout.
He will be paid $1.5 Million for the next 16 seasons and will not count against the cap.
Now, for those of you who perpetually complain about the Isles being UNDER the Salary Cap, I suppose this means that they will need to add a nice salary -- or a few.
This should also prove how much of a crap shoot the draft actually is.
3 pm: Just one day after the NHL Entry Draft and Mr. Tim Thomas has emerged from his bunker and told his agent he is ready to re-enter the NHL.
We do not know condition Mr. Thomas is in, having spent a year in seclusion. However, we do know that the NY Islanders will NOT be tolling his contract therefore he is a free agent on July 5th.
From the looks of the chatter boxes out there, it is almost a given that Thomas will land in Philadelphia. With the situation on the Islanders, I can't help but wonder if Mr. Snow will at least make a phone call.
For a team that was chided for having three goalies and a crowded crease to go to having no NHL starting goalie is a bit surprising. But I am certain that won't be the case for long. Garth Snow always manages to pull some sort of rabbit out of a hat. This one will need pads. Very big pads.
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