[News] Isles to use compliance buyout on DiPietro

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Didn't Luongo get traded for Dipietro already?

Nope. Luongo was traded by the Islanders when they know they can draft DiPietro. They thought DiPietro will be a lot better than Luongo.

[Muta]

I remember a recent article where he mentioned that from all the crap and flack he's been getting from fans and media, etc. that he was depressed and contemplated suicide. Even as a wealthy professional athlete, I don't wish that on anybody.

As a human being, hopefully he takes solace in knowing he's got a steady paycheque straight until his late 40's, and I wish him nothing but the best in a return to the NHL if he chooses that route.

[cowtown75]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

Hopefully he can move on and have a fulfilling life. He's set financially and has an income stream for over a decade. Enjoy life, your family, etc. If you're competitive and need a fix, take up golf or another sport where your health isn't at risk. Hockey didn't work out for him but it set him and his family for life financially.

I'm sure he is gonna be absolutely fine. I would trade places with him in a minute. The guy has played in 318 games and will make more money than some of the best goalies ever. Including Kipper. And now, gets owed 36 million over the next 8 years for doing nothing. I feel bad for him. How a goalie of all positions was so dang injury prone was beyond me. Has played in 50 games in the last 5 years ? I hope he does ok....

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

I'm sure they wanted it. They just couldn't get it.

Curious, why not? No rule saying they can't simply buy him out really. I'd imagine they chose to use up a compliance buyout as they don't want to handcuff the team for the next 16 years. It especially makes sense if they do intend to sell the team like it's been speculated. Having 1.5M of dead salary is one thing, having a 1.5M handicap against them for 16 years as well is another. Not a great selling point for the team to a potential buyer who would want to turn the team around and spend some money on a possible championships. Even if they don't, the team is turning the corner and making the playoffs now, would suck if in 5 years they can't afford a UFA or rental players because of DiPietro's hit despite having the money to do so.

As for the NHL, I don't think they would care too much if the Islanders were paying a player 1.5M and had a 1.5M cap for it. That's not exactly gaming the system there.

[OffsideSpecialist]

I imagine this is one of the first steps in Wang opening up the purse strings before an attempt to sell the team once it moves to Brooklyn. I think this is a good move for the Islanders.

[mister__big]

The day after the buyout is done, DiPietro will be announced as the new President of the Islanders organization. Count on it.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by mister__big

The day after the buyout is done, DiPietro will be announced as the new President of the Islanders organization. Count on it.

I think Snow gets the president's job. Then DiPietro can be the GM, which, of course, is the usual career path for a retired backup goalie.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Mixed feelings about this one. Happy for the fans of NYI as it is a forward step in the organization.

I am a little disappointed in that I was VERY curious to see how much that contract was worth in terms of prospects and picks they would have to move to get rid of it. Now my curiosity will never be satisfied.

[cowtown75]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Mixed feelings about this one. Happy for the fans of NYI as it is a forward step in the organization.

I am a little disappointed in that I was VERY curious to see how much that contract was worth in terms of prospects and picks they would have to move to get rid of it. Now my curiosity will never be satisfied.

Not sure. Maybe they felt that sometimes it's better to just cut your losses instead of giving up more. Not sure who in their right mind would give anything for a guy who is made of glass and has played 50 games in the last 5 years.

[The Swedish Flame]

Well that's one guy out of the way for my hometown boy Anders Nilsson!

[Enoch Root]

What I see from this is the Islanders, one of the most financially strapped teams in the league, willing to do what's necessary in order to move the team forward.

In total contrast to that is the Canucks, one of the wealthiest teams in the league, in a state of perpetual turmoil because they are not willing to do what is necessary and end their problem.

[You Need a Thneed]

1.5 million per year for the next 16 years, to a guy that has won a combined 14 games for the Islanders in the last 5 years.