Talk about long term...

[Fury of One 6]

The Rick signs for 15 years. They also sign Kozlov.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=177223&hubname=nhl

[althoma1 574]

DiPietro signs 15 yr NHL deal

When I read that this morning I thought I was still dreaming. That's a crazy contract. DiPietro is good, but it's still a big risk. A good goalie can still lose his confidence and play poorly or have something happen that effects him. And on DiPietro's end if he does turn into a Hall of Fame type goalie then he'll be underpaid in a few years. Less risk on DiPietro's part because it's not like he's going to be starving with $4.5 million a year and he certainly has some long term security. Oh those crazy Islanders...first Yashin, now this.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I thought the new CBA only guarantees contracts for a max of 7 years?

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

it's insane, he will be 40 at the end of his contract, it's unreal. With all the injury that happened, what a stupid move, I can't believe it.

[willc7786 0]

In some ways I think its not that bad of a move. You have to understand the goaltending revolving door that went on here on the Island for a good amount of time. It was ridiculous. Knowing that he'll be around is somewhat comforting. The $4.5 is a great number. #8 in the league amongst goalies. If he turns into a superstar, thats an unbelievable bargain. The length is unbelievable too though. I think its understood that he won't be playing until he's 40s due to injuries/retirement, and that number was for the WOW factor.

You are/will be seeing a lot of deals like this (to a much smaller degree) in the new NHL. GMs are giving their franchise young players long term deals at a higher rate then they're currently worth, in the hopes that they'll be huge bargains towards the end of their contract.

[DamnLocust 0]

Between inflation and the POSSIBILITY that "The Rick" turns into a superstar, this may work out well in the end for the Isles. If you ask me, there are just too many risks to go out and do something like this. I think it's absolutely hilarious that they didn't learn their lesson with Yashin. DiPietro made the Isles resign snow last year, now he's repaying the favor. ha!

[Meathead 0]

Knowing that you will have a solid starter at the very least (he could become a superstar) for the next 15 years for only $4.5 million bearring injury is nice.

[Chadd 916]

I thought the new CBA only guarantees contracts for a max of 7 years?

It only protects the team up to seven years and that's enough to discourage most teams, but not the isles.

[jjtt99 0]

Just when you thought the Islanders couldn't do any more to look stupid...

[ItalianSpartan 0]

Poses the question: what's more difficult to be, a Hawks fan or an Isles fan?

[Chanimal 0]

Even with the 7 year guarantee, the Islanders would come out on top because probably after the 4 year mark, dipietro will be a bargain, compared to his peers. If he sucks after the 4 year mark, they would have to lump his salary, but it would be comparably small. And if he plays well for more than 7 years, it's gravy for the team..... The logic behind the contract, though pains me to say, makes sense, and really, they are not paying him THAT much, not as much as a Luongo... But the real question is he really good enough to get that amount of money?? I am not quite convinced.....

[shute 4]

Even with the 7 year guarantee, the Islanders would come out on top because probably after the 4 year mark, dipietro will be a bargain, compared to his peers. If he sucks after the 4 year mark, they would have to lump his salary, but it would be comparably small. And if he plays well for more than 7 years, it's gravy for the team..... The logic behind the contract, though pains me to say, makes sense, and really, they are not paying him THAT much, not as much as a Luongo... But the real question is he really good enough to get that amount of money?? I am not quite convinced.....

are you charles wang? :lol:

[mack 44]

They now have the two biggest and softest centres in the league. Good job, Wang.

[DavisP 0]

Is Kozlov really that bad? I know he has been inconsistent. We don't get many devils games on the west coast.

[mack 44]

He is that bad. Great size but never uses it and he plays with absolutely no desire it'd seem.

[DavisP 0]

Oh, I forgot that hes russian.

[Fury of One 6]

Yeah, I'd say he's bizarro Ovechkin.

[Chanimal 0]

That's funny....No, I am not Charles Wang. Look at it this way, let's say the Canucks can pull of the same thing with Luongo, what would you say? It would be a great deal, because by year 3, Luongo would be grossly underpaid, and he's stuck with another 4 years.... This deal though unique, and the length of it is surely turning some heads, is really making the headlines because this is an Islanders deal. Again, I repeat myself, I don't think Dipietro is worth that money for 7 years, let alone 15, though years 8-15 are effectively irrelevant.

[willc7786 0]

Kozlov will be #3 center though, with Sillinger #2

[Chadd 916]

Again, I repeat myself, I don't think Dipietro is worth that money for 7 years, let alone 15, though years 8-15 are effectively irrelevant.

The team is on the hook for the entire salary, including injuries beyond year 7. It may come off the cap if he gets hurt, but they still have to pay it.

[slaw 1]

You know what they say. once you leave the Island you can only get better

Examples; Spezza, McCabe, Chara, Laviolette

Guess Dipietro might not...?

[willc7786 0]

Spezza was never on the island, though he should have been. Feel free to substitute Luongo and Bertuzzi in there though :(

Its sad what the Islanders could have had. If they didn't trade Luongo, they wouldn't have drafted DP, and instead would have drafted Heatley. If they didn't trade for Yashin, they would have drafted Spezza. Oh yeah, and they'd still have Chara. This is what makes it hard to be an Islander fan... I'll take Luongo, Chara/Jonsson on defense, and Heatley/Spezza/Satan and coached by Laviolette right to the cup.

[Cavs019 708]

yea some dudes named redden and jokinen also.......

[Eazy_b97 1]

That's funny....No, I am not Charles Wang. Look at it this way, let's say the Canucks can pull of the same thing with Luongo, what would you say? It would be a great deal, because by year 3, Luongo would be grossly underpaid, and he's stuck with another 4 years.... This deal though unique, and the length of it is surely turning some heads, is really making the headlines because this is an Islanders deal. Again, I repeat myself, I don't think Dipietro is worth that money for 7 years, let alone 15, though years 8-15 are effectively irrelevant.

Luongo is a top NHL goalie. DiPietro is not. The cap went up this year for a number of reasons, the lay-off and excitement to come back, the new rules, etc.. Most experts are saying it's unlikely the cap will continue to rise. Most are saying the players will actually have to give back money this year. At $4.5 right now, he is overpaid. If the cap stays the same, I can't see the deal getting any better. There are alot of good up and coming goalies. Look at the Lundqvists, Wards, Toivonens, Lehtonens already in the league, then think of the Pogge's, Rasks, Montoyas who are on the verge of a break into the league. DiPietro's numbers aren't great, his bread and butter has been his stickhandling which isn't as important now as it was pre-CBA. I can't see any of the good in this deal.

[Smitty34 0]

I thought it was a joke at first. I don't think this is a great idea. If something happens to DiPietro, they'll never be able to get rid of him. There are too many things that could go wrong in that amount of time. I also find it interesting that so many strange things have been surrounding this team. The firing of GM Neil Smith, then hiring Garth Snow. Now this.......jeeezz.