New York Islanders Top 5 Goalies in Team History

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UNIONDALE, NY – OCTOBER 29: Rick DiPietro #39 of the New York Islanders skates out to face the San Jose Sharks at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on October 29, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Rick DiPietro

Rick DiPietro is one of the more controversial Islanders. He was selected first overall in the 2000 draft after then 20-year-old Roberto Luongo (ever hear of him) was traded to the Florida Panthers for Mark Parrish and Oleg Kvasha.

DiPietro made his debut in the 2000-2001 season and in 20 games he finished with a .878 and 3.49 goals against average. He didn’t play in the NHL again until 2002-2003 when he had ten games under his belt and a .894 save percentage.

He was much better in 2003-2004, his first year as the full-time starter. He put up a .911 save percentage and a 2.36 goals against average, pretty solid numbers. He would play 63, 62, and 63 games the next three years and put up respectable numbers.

After the 2007-2008 season, DiPietro would go on to play just 50 games over the next five years. Multiple injuries would go on to derail DiPietro’s career and he was out of the sport at just 31 years old.

We can’t forget, that DiPietro was just three years into a 15-year deal when he got hurt. The Isles got two productive seasons out of D.P. in that contract, and Rick collects $1.5 million from the Islanders every year until 2029 because of his buyout.

Despite all that, he ranks third all-time in wins with 130 and he also has a career .902 save percentage and a 2.87 goals against average.

It’s the theme of this list. The New York Islanders history between the pipes is less than ideal. A goalie who signed what is known as the worst contract in the NHL and played for five seasons is third in team history.