The Islanders announced after midnight that Rick DiPietro was examined by team opthalmologist Dr. Bruce Zagelbaum, who determined that the goalie has no permanent damage in his eye. The team had been encouraged when Zagelbaum decided to examine DiPietro in his office, rather than at the hospital. No further updates are expected until Monday afternoon, team spokesman Chris Botta said.
So it is unclear for now whether he will be ready to play against the Rangers Tuesday nght. But it does not appear as serious as it could have been, given that any eye injury is potentially very serious. Botta's report indicated the exam "did not [show] any serious damage to the eye."
His status was the one cloudy note on what otherwise was one of the most vibrant nights at the Coliseum in a long time. Islanders alumni who have been at many tributes and ceremonies noted the difference. So did Arbour. The key was that he was part of a live game. The tribute was dynamic and not a museum piece that made the game anticlimactic. This time, current players and today's fans were an active part of the show, not just witnesses.
Fact is, as Pat LaFontaine was saying on his way to a reception afterward, we have not seen the likes of this anywhere else in sports.
More rumination on this in Sunday's blog.
Comments (29)
First off, glad to hear the injury to DP is not serious. He's truly our MVP.
On to other matters... can anyone tell me why Hilbert gets so much playing time? The guy has no points in 11 games, yet draws time now with Comrie. Hard work and good PK is one thing, but our top center needs someone with better hands than Hilbert. Granted, I don't live on the Island and catch all the games, so am I missing something with Hilbert?
Also, why is the top line of Fedotenko-Comrie-Guerin broken up? They looked so good in the preseason and the first few games...
Isn't this the same organization that said DiPsh*t didn't have a concussion last season? Sure, let's believe everything they say without independently verifying it.
Ranger Trollz:
I'm glad that you've kept such a close look at all of the Islander transactions over the years. You guys seem more up on our moves than your own. as you've pointed out, the Isles have made some dumb moves in recent history, but that is a thing of the past and our organization is definitely working towards a stanley cup. Since the Rangers have won only 1 cup in 67 years, while enjoying the highest payroll in the league a good portion of those years, can I assume that there have been some bad moves made by your team as well?? Thanks Trollz for worrying about us so much, but the Isles are doing just fine now and have a great organization from the top down! If the Rangers were going to make a dent on our illustrious history, the time for them to have done it has come and gone.
Speaking of dumb moves, why did the Rangers pay the same money for Gomez and Drury as The Senators paid for Heatly and Spezza? Your guys aren't in the same league as them. Why did you let Nylander walk away, when he is one of the only players in the NHL that can play with your selfish and lazy and greatly diminished captain?? Lastly, what is wrong with Avery, was he dropped on his head when he was a baby? he really need some mental help, he needs a TEAM of doctors to look at him.Why is such a little man in stature so angry with everyone.Look what Neil did to him, is he looking to get taken out again?? lol
GO ISLES!!!!!
Glad to see that DiPietro avoided serious injury. The rivalry between the Rangers and Islanders is at it's best when each teams best players are immersed in it. Never want to see a player's career end or suffer a huge setback, especially when they are just entering their primes.
>>Speaking of dumb moves, why did the Rangers pay the same money for Gomez and Drury as The Senators paid for Heatly and Spezza?
Why did the Isles make the same offers to Gomez and Drury that the Rangers did? You tell me. The only reason reason they are on the Rangers and not the Isles is that they had no interest in playing for the Isles.
Hey NYI, missed you on Hockeybuzz, where have you been? I never went on Islanders hate rants. I often would go on ISLANDERS TROLL rants, at fans exactly like you. Why are you so bitter all of the time? The Islanders just had a great night and are off to a solid start, you should be feeling good.
Midnight -- Thanks for the sportsmanship, of which there is not enough on these blogs. I have a feeling DP might miss Tuesday's game against your team, but I don't think all is lost if Dubie plays. He has a short but exciting and successful history as a big game goalie, since every game he played at the end of last season had the Isles' playoff hopes riding on it.
By the way, having listened to/watched some Caps games this season, I wonder if the Rangers would have been better off signing only Drury and keeping Nylander instead of signing Gomez. Nylander really creates room and makes things happen. Anyway, I suppose that's a question better posed on the Rangers blog.
By the way, for anyone who cares, I am in one of the game photos on the Islanders website:
http://islanders.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=MediaGalleryPlayer&galleryId=3040
Scroll to the 8th photo (the one that has the word "Lighthouse" visible on the boards)... I am directly above Mike Sillinger's head and left of Al Arbour's right shoulder, in the green baseball cap.
KH, nobody cares about your ugly mug.
Haha, seriously, I saw that too, nice.
Islanders never tried to sign Gomez for $7 million. They did try to sign Drury.
That was some night, very deserving for probably the second best coach in NHL history. I was flipping back and forth, rooting for the Isles to lose ofcourse, but caught the D.P. incident. As much as I love to see when the Isles lose, I never like seeing players get hurt, no matter what team they play for. He is your best player and one of the best goalies in the league. It would have been a shame if were to have a serious eye injury(which thankfully he managed to avoid). It's sad when some fans think that just because I am a fan of the Rangers, that it's impossible for me to be happy that your goalie wasn't seriously hurt. Nice to see that there are fans like you KH, that relaize that being a human being comes before what team you root for.
By the way, everyone who thinks Larry Brooks is a hatah should read his column in today's Post... very nice appreciation of Arbour. Brooks was critical of the Isles organization when it deserved criticism, as we Isles fans also felt at the time...
Good job KH; I know who to look for at Doolan's next time.
FanInDC, read the 250 main blog entries and comments for answers on Hilbert!!!! Your guess is our as good as ours.
My guess for DP playing on Tuesday is whether he has any residual swelling on Tuesday that cuts his vision. I don't think this is a situation where you're worried about him exacerbating any injury, but simply whether he is game-ready to go.
Two final notes on last night:
1) Where was Nystrom?
2) My son is 13 and knows nothing of the glory days except what he hears or sees on old replays--kind of like how I might have looked at the Yankees of the late 40s and 50s. When my kid thinks the night was awesome, the energy was high, and remarks that this was one he'll always remember, then I know the night was truly special.
Peace and goodwill hockey fans.
I don't think Arbour plays second fiddle to any coach in this game. He did a lot more with a whole lot less than Scotty Bowman. Bowmann, to his credit, built up a great report in this legua and was able to bounce around. But he never lacked talent and had to elevate also ran players to another level.
Arbour had great team and bad team. He was able to get all of them to play way above their level. The 93 playoofs put any question to rest as to who the better coach was. That Islanders team was without it's 58 goal scorer and beat a juggernught that was riding higher than any team in NHL history (Note the record winning streak at the end of the season).
Arbour clearly outcoached Bowman in that series. No one was better at pushing the right buttons and getting the right guys out on the ice. Had Arbour had the luxury of a real GM later in his career one can only guess how many more cups he would have on his mantle.
As a coach and player has has 7 to his name.
Caesar, fair enough, I am not denying Arbour is a living legend, because he is. I just feel Bowman's influence on many different organizations(Blues, Sabres, Canadiens, Red Wings) and his dominance throughout the years gives him the slight edge, There is no shame in finishing second to Scott Bowman though.
Its a minor thing I know, but did anyone notice what happened with Al Trautwig in the pregame? When I got home from that glorious packed game I watched every minute of coverage. I just wanted to say that Trautwig did the right thing last night. By acknowledging how upset Isles fans were by his comment, even mentioning his previous work with the team as a kid, discussing things briefly, and then moving on respectfully, he did as much as anybody could reasonably have asked of him. I personally dont want the guy to kiss the teams butt or say things that he doesnt believe, I just want him to show some respect. And, last night, he did.
KH,
I have the game on Tivo and can put it on DVD for you. Maybe Newsday can discreetly send you my email address.
Great seats... I want to know who your broker is.
Arbour is a God... but there is no doubt he sits at the right hand of the father. (i my lifetime anyway... I don't know that much about Toe). Bowman has had talent to work with, but the reason they play the ames is that TALENT doesn't always perform.. and to win that many cups... they have to consistently play ABOVE their ability... Nobody had the talent the Isles did... but Arbour made sure they never threw thier jerseys on the ice.
Tuesday will be big for both teams. They are both playing well. With the third line only getting a taste anyway, I wouldn't mind seeing Bootland or Brennan replacing Johnson. And I'd get Simon out there with Hollweg a few times, so the chairman of the boarders can work things out like a man with Chris...face to face.
Merrick,
I asked about Booby Ny and Garry Howatt in a previous post, but I don't think newsday let it through... it said I post too much.
But it lets the troll post 60 times a day
I am a diehard Islanders fan...and I love DiPietro. But, does anyone think that he has been incapable of being that goalie that can really just carry his team? If you look at his stats, he is nowhere near an elite goalie. Granted, this is his 3rd year as a full-time starter...but other goalies, of lesser pedigrees and draft status (i.e. Henrik Lundquivst) have managed to become dominant. What gives?
hey midnight:
what's the matter, you can't find anybody on your own lame blog to talk about your own lame team? i do hope that avery gets himself seriously injured soon, does that mean i'm not a humanitarian, like you? lol
Keep taking shots at me, if it makes you feel better, troll. Seems you have no response for me, after I responded to your trollish comment on the Rangers blog, earlier. I am stuck at work, and this is the only way to pass the time, while I am not working. What could possibly be your excuse of being on the computer all day long on a nice Sunday afternoon? Go grab a beer and grab a life too, while you are at it.
MM;
Some folks give the trolls on this board the validity they don't deserve. I get the same thing on the Rangers board and I don't think I've ever trolled over there.
I just ignore it and eventually these people move on. It's more than obvious they are looking for acknowledgement.
Then again, I'm just a guilty as the next guy for taking potshots at these no life losers,
BTW; It may not be insulting FOR MOST COACHES to be considered second best to Scotty Bowman. Al Arbour doesn't fit that mold.
Bowman will be remembered for taking great players far. Arbour will be known for making average and really good players GREAT!!!
Arbour hands down, and I think Bowman concedes this point, was the better coach.
I wasn't around to see Arbour, during the Islanders dynasty years. I saw him towards the end of his stellar coaching career and while the team around him wasn't the team that was dominating the early 80's, it was still obvious that Arbour was a great coach with tremendous presence and respect. You have a good point about Bowman, because a lot of the teams he managed were loaded with proven talent. Despite the disparity in overall wins and overal championships, the point you made about Arbout, about how he made good players great is something that is probably unmeasured, in it's longevity. On the troll issue, I guess because I like to talk hockey with normal Islanders fans, as well as fellow Rangers fans, makes me a troll in some people's eyes. I won't even attempt to try to convince these geniuses otherwise because, that will simply be an exercise in futility.
If you didn't watch the whole game just watch the thrid period. That was all Arbour right there.
From the line match ups (he liked using his fourth line against the top line) to Satan's run and gun scoring.
When I worked for Fox Sports during their NHL broadcast days I used to do a bunch of Wing games. Back during the 1998 playoffs I asked Bowman on the chow line who he thought was the best coach that he ever coached against. He said, "Easy. Al Arbour. He made me a better coach too. I knew he could get the best out of players when he used to play for me." He also added that it was too bad the Islander ownership / management was such a mess or Al would probably still be coaching. He said Al wasn't happy at all with what was happening.
I told him then that I was an Islander fan. He then said I was lucky to witness what the Islanders did in the 80s because we'll never see that again, and then Bowman gauranteed me that Palffy, Bertuzzi, McCabe and Berard would be playing elsewhere before the year 2000. He was right. He had to know Mad Mike was shopping them around.
It made me think about what he said about never seeing a 4 cup in a row dynasty. Because he won 4 in a row just before the Isles. Then Edmonton had a real legit chance, but was short circuited. No team has had clear dominance since. Red Wings were up there ... but not even they could string together a misley 3 in a row even with the great Scotty Bowman.
I like it that Herrmann keeps us posted and up to date frequently when there is news to post. I haven't sensed that when Logan is keeping the blog. Is it just me that notices that? Or just my timing? Zippppayyy kept the Ranger blog going most of the Summer. Logan was MIA most of the Summer as I recall aside from a few posts after mid July.
i like when the ranger trolls start having conversations with eachother on the islander blog. talk about being obsessed with the isles! I guess 1 cup in 67 years and counting will do that to a ranger fan. must be frustrating!!
I usually don't post much because most others say what I would say anyway, but I have to say this because I can't understand why some Ranger fans have to be hostile and nonsensical on here with their irrelevant posts.
I was at a sports bar last week in Tampa with a Lighting fan, Ranger fan, and a Duck fan. The Ranger fan was spewing all kinds of rot at us and my only answer to him was... I've seen 4 cups in my lifetime... you only have 1 cup.... But that wasn't even the funny part. The Duck fan Ronny said ... "Hey ... as far as I'm concerned my Ducks have as many Cups as the Rangers since Pearl Harbor", and the Lighting fan said, "Hey, so do we.". We all busted up laughing as that was shortly followed by an empty net goal by Toronto scored against the Rangers to seal the game up.
Of course at the same time our Islanders were getting shelled by Carolina. But who cares? That was difused by the antics of a cry baby Ranger fan making a fool of himself infront of Lightning and Duck fans.
That being said I must say I know some really great Ranger fans that would be embarrassed by that behavior. I notice some good Ranger fans do visit this blog also and make positive insightful observations of their views.
I'm sure you've all figured out by now that i did not make that last post.... about DP.
It is true that it seems that some legit blogers get deleted... while the infants get their vile hatred posted.
DOC
i dont get why andy hilbert is on this team he is playing on the second line and avg almost 14 min a game for 11 games and still does not have a point. he cant make or recieve a pass i cant stand watching him on the ice he just isnt a good player. Ted needs to develop tambelini. Hilbert will never score 15 goals ever in a season i just hope he gets a point or 2 before the all star break at this rate. Tambelini has a chance to get 25 goals a year i think it is time to give him a chance. let hilbert take johnsons place on 4th line and do some pk's. I love how hard this team works and how well they have done so far this really is my one and only complaint for ted. Glad to see dp is back on the ice already
i like when the icelander trolls start having conversations with eachother on the islander blog. talk about being obsessed with the isles! I guess 0 playoff series wins in 24 years and counting will do that to a icelander fan. must be frustrating!!
i hope your kidding first off .second of all 24 years thats just not true and lastly you must be a rags fan and your team was a orginal 6 team and have the same amount of cups as we do. its actully funny how there were 6 teams in the league and you only have just 4 cups to show for it.