Rick DiPietro Edges Towards Return

The New York Islanders embark on a three-game road trip beginning in Colorado tonight and Rick DiPietro will take part in his first NHL contest in over a year this week. First, he underwent a conditioning stint with Bridgeport of the American Hockey League which he passed with flying colors decency. On Monday, the American practiced with his club for nearly two hours and around 75 minutes the following evening.

Yes, it was all executed without pain for DiPietro. Counting up the injuries sustained over his career, they range from a swollen right knee to a mild concussion to hip problems all the way to knee surgery that has kept him out to this point. And to think just two short years ago he was an All-Star netminder. Head coach Scott Gordon is keeping the public in the dark concerning when he'll give DiPietro the nod.

"I'm ready to play whenever they need me," DiPietro said. "Right now, I honestly don't have any idea when that is. I just have to stay sharp and focused for when I get the call."

This gives the Islanders three goaltenders to sort out. It's hard to envision them parting ways with veteran Dwayne Roloson who has stolen his share of wins for New York this season such as the 58-save performance in Toronto towards the end of November. That leaves Martin Biron as the odd man out because of his struggles but his previous work in Buffalo and Philadelphia would entice at least one General Manager to initiate interest.

All of this is of course under the assumption that DiPietro can remain physically fit. If he cannot, the 15-year, $67.5 million contract presented in 2006 will become that much more of a burden on the Islanders rather than what it was intended to be: a solution.