Another win for Danis

Well, you might have read a previous blog of mine where I wrote about the return of Dubie. Well, like many other bloggers and reporters, that blog was written prematurely as Dubie was plucked off the waiver wire by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Well, no matter. Yann Danis has picked up his 3rd victory tonight of the season. He played a solid game and, in my opinion, has showed improvements in each of the 3 games. (Specifically holding onto rebounds).

Does the play of Danis make decisions anymore difficult to decide who should be Rick Dipietro's back up next season? I think Yann Danis would benefit from another season in Bridgeport. He needs to specifically continue to work on his rebound control. Even though playing better, tonight I can think of 2 specific times that he left rebounds out there that shouldn't have been:

1. Was while the Islanders were on a penalty kill. The penalty killers were gassed and instead of catching a puck, he dropped it accidentally and that allowed the Panthers to continue pressuring

2. The second instance actually turned out to not be such a big deal because of a quick whistle. the puck landed on the floor on the side of the net and had the whistle not blown who knows what would've happened

The good news is that with Danis playing a few games at the NHL level, he gets some more experience and we get to see how good he actually is.

Kansas City Scout RC's?

I have to admit that I couldn't even recall that there was previously a Kansas City Hockey Team. Well, in the 70's it was the scouts (See KC Scout RC of Randy Kota above).

This past week, it was announced that the New York Islanders will be playing a preseason game in Kansas City as a potential "showcase". Let this be a warning for all New York Islander fans. If we want to keep the NEW YORK ISLANDERS around forever, we are going to have to start taking action now. This is no longer a joke. This is no longer a situation of being patient. We need to help deliver results.

What will I do when the Islanders are gone? Watch Ranger-Scout games once in a while? Be forced to order NHL Center Ice to catch the Scout games in the Midwest?

As of this moment, I am joining the fight. I am ready to do my part to keep the New York Islanders on Long Island. I am not sure what my part entails? Maybe writing this article is a start. I'll probably need to do more than that as I'm not certain how many people will actually get a chance to read this article.

This fight, and I will call it a fight, will require the help of all in the tri-state area. If the Ranger fans and Devil fans jump on the bandwagon that will exponentially increase our numbers. I'm sure they will miss driving to Nassau for the division rivalry games. I'm sure the rivalry will lose some steam when it's the Kansas City Chiefs and not the New York Islanders. Intensity will be lost. Passion will be gone.

Even though the Islanders are not a winning team nowadays, this is one fight that we must not lose.

Dubie is Back

Most of you probably have already heard that Dubie is back. Well he is. And for those searching for his Rookie Card. It can be found in 2003-2004 Parkhurst. His RC is straight up affordable to get. But who knows how long he'll be in an Islander Uniform.





If he gets a shot somewhere, his cards may prove to be a worthy card to get. He's been a winning goaltender wherever he has been. And last years numbers were pretty good. Maybe he just needs that opportunity!

Anatomy of the Knee

Not that I am a human doctor or anything, but I am a veterinarian. So, I do have some medical background in regards to what is going on with Rick Dipietro after having multiple knee surgeries and continuing to have, what the Islander's PR, are calling swelling in his knee.

Let's first recall the chain of events:

June 3, 2008 Rick Dipietro announced that he was to have surgery on his Left Meniscus (The Meniscus is a ligament which helps hold the knee joint in place..see picture above)

On November 1, 2008 it was announced that Rick Dipietro was to have another surgery on his knee (reported to be the meniscus). It also was NOT clarified whether the surgery was on his left knee or on his right knee.

Rick Dipietro played his first game back on December 26, 2008. During the game, myself and many others witnessed DiPietro favoring something during the 3rd period. It turned out to be a groin strain. Since then his groin apparently has healed but he has not played again due to swelling in his knee.

Being a veterinarian, I will speak only in terms of which I know about. In the average dog, they usually don't get surgery unless they have ruptured their cruciate ligament. The cruciate ligament is very closely associated with the meniscus. The majority of cruicate ligament ruptures includes damage to the meniscus. For dogs that have a cruciate repair, they usually need to be cage rested for ~ 8 weeks with slow returning to activity.

So, now we have DP. 2 knee surgeries. Swelling in his knee ~9-10 weeks post surgery if its on his 2nd surgery. If it's his first surgery having complications that puts it at 28 weeks post surgery. Either way, this is not good news for the Islanders. If it were a dog, I'd be referring to a specialty center.

Luckily, for DP, he's got specialists up the wazoo. I don't know why these specialists aren't telling him to stay off his feet for the rest of the season. Why rush your franchise goaltender back for this season? Any ligament damage should be given 8 full weeks of rest and rehabilitation for a dog. So what would I have to think about a young, NHL franchise goalie, on a losing team, who competes hard no matter what the situation, stretching those ligaments to the extreme? I would be thinking, "give him the rest of the season off!"

And now, we have this repetitive inflammation. And you'll hear it from me first:

Unless DP gives himself the proper rest for his ligaments to heal appropriately and make sure that his knees are stabilized by his ligaments, he will be lost for good.

Time to draft a goalie please.

A new name

Welcome to Islanderhockeycards.blogspot.com!!!

A new name since I have decided to keep my discussions mostly to the New York Islanders, their current players and old, and their hockey cards.

Please come back often.

Streit to the Top

You better look quick because I am not certain how long this will stick for: Mark Streit is now tied for the lead in points for Defenseman in the NHL.

So much talk about Doug Weight and his point per game pace and reaching 1,000 points and might as well start talking about Mark Streit who has quietly built an impressive season as an Islander.

If Doug Weight doesn't recieve an All Star not, it should certainly be Mark Streit to get the nod.

In terms of hockey card investment, being a NY Islander is never helpful. However, being at the top of the NHL defenseman standings doesn't hurt. Can Mark Streit contend for a Norris Trophy? Highly unlikely as there has to be someone else who will have similar point totals on a more successful team but wouldn't it be nice to think in a few years when the Islanders are a better team. (Hopefully)

Is Dipietro Truly Hurt?

I was one person that was not surprised to see Rick Dipietro stay on Long Island as the New York Islanders headed to Buffalo for their Saturday night game. I was also a person that sat at Nassau Colliseum before the Toronto Maple Leaf game and just thought to myself, "Why on earth is he starting this game?"

Rick Dipietro should have:
1. Gone for a conditioning stint at bridgeport
2. Not played til at least after the New Year

Why rush our Franchise goaltender back into action after so many surgeries to his knees and hips?

It made no sense to me.

And the end result?
Yes, an Islander win. But, also, DP uncomfortably skating out of his crease during a TV timeout in the 3rd period. He was leaning over like he always does when he hurts something. And since that moment, I waited for the news that he was injured.

In moments like that, you hope it's something that can just be shrugged off. DP did finish the game. And let's be honest, would going to Bridgeport have really made that big of a difference to this goaltender who plays his hardest no matter what the situation? If DP truthfully has a groin problem. I'm sure it would've happened whether in Bridgeport or on Long Island.

The biggest issue is whether DP should be playing at all right now. My vote is NO. He should be resting those hips and knees until the Islanders get Tavares or Hedman. But we know he won't.
And on that note, I'm just happy that there has been no report that he needs surgery on his knees, hips, elbow, face, pancreas, appendix or some other part of his body! (But it wouldn't surprise me if he already had another procedure this morning)