Isles Goalie DiPietro gets 15 year contract

[Blade6119]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

Wow, thats stunning to me. So much can happen in 15 years...anyone think this is a good idea?

Mad money
Isles give DiPietro record 15-year, $65.7 million deal
Posted: Tuesday September 12, 2006 1:22PM; Updated: Tuesday September 12, 2006 6:39PM

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -- Rick DiPietro re-signed with the New York Islanders on Tuesday, agreeing to a record 15-year deal that will pay the No. 1 goalie $67.5 million.

The Islanders scheduled an afternoon news conference to officially announce the contract that would keep DiPietro in the fold until 2021, when he would be 40.

"We've been working at it all summer," DiPietro's agent Paul Krepelka told The Associated Press.

The deal, first reported by Newsday, is the longest in NHL history, topping the 10-year, $87.5 million contract the Islanders gave enigmatic center Alexei Yashin in 2001.

That was one of the contracts that sent NHL salaries soaring and led to the salary cap in the collective bargaining agreement that ended the lockout last year. It also saddled New York with a player who is nearly impossible to move and who takes up a big chunk of the team's $44 million maximum payroll.

DiPietro's deal is believed to be second only in length in North American sports to the 25-year pact Magic Johnson signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1981.

"Clubs are free to make their own decisions within the confines laid out in the collective bargaining agreement and other applicable league rules," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "Some decisions turn out well, others not so well.

"Time will tell whether this will be a good decision or a bad one for the Islanders."

The contract is guaranteed and DiPietro will be paid in full should he retire because of injury. If he ends his career otherwise before the deal expires, he would forfeit the remaining dollars, Krepelka said.

Islanders owner Charles Wang and new general manager Garth Snow, DiPietro's backup last season, were both involved in the negotiations. Deals from one year to five to 12 were discussed.

Once the Islanders set forth the type of cap structure they wanted for DiPietro, the staggering 15-year-deal DiPietro's side offered was agreed to.

DiPietro was a restricted free agent this summer and couldn't be unrestricted for another two years. The deal will pay him $4.5 million per season, placing him eighth among goalies.

The top pick in the 2000 draft was 30-24-5 with a 3.02 goals-against average in 63 games last season with the Islanders, who missed the playoffs after three straight appearances. In four NHL seasons, DiPietro is 58-62-13 with a 2.85 GAA in 143 games.

It is the second big contract handed out to a goalie in two days as Nashville re-signed Tomas Vokoun to a four-year extension on Monday that will pay him $22.8 million.

Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin will be the league's highest-paid goalie this season at $6.75 million.

DiPietro and Wang talked about a 15-year deal last summer after the NHL lockout when DiPietro expressed that he wanted to spend his entire career on Long Island.

But hurdles regarding insurance over the course of the contract killed those plans, and DiPietro agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million.

Those were worked out this time around.

"Rick's made no secret for a long time that he wanted to be an Islander his whole career," Krepelka said.

Both sides were pressed to come to a new agreement quickly as the Islanders open training camp at the end of the week in Nova Scotia. Wang has a policy that players who aren't signed in time for camp won't play during the season.

"That was a concern," Krepelka said. "The timing did factor into the equation from both sides. Things picked up the last week and a half."

DiPietro, exactly a week away from his 25th birthday, became the first goalie ever chosen with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft five years ago, after spending just one year at Boston University.

Wang's direct involvement in these negotiations fell into line with the owner's new front office by committee.

It was this type of management structure that led to the firing of Neil Smith, who was let go just weeks after he took the job in the offseason and months before the Islanders were to play a game under him.

Smith balked at the delegation of authority and the system initiated by Wang, and was replaced by Snow -- who retired from his playing career with the Islanders -- on July 18.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Ah no. I am an Isles' fan and this just adds another notch to the belt that is the laughingstock team. It pains me deeply. Such a class franchise owned by a goofball. They are now handcuffed at goalie for the next 15 years -- they won't even be able to trade him. Sure, they save what -- 750k a season maybe -- by getting a lower annual salary, but this is just dumb. NHL contracts are guaranteed.

[bulletsponge]

15 years! theres no chance that this guy will take it easy now that he has a guarenteed 15 year contract.

[cartman]

Well, there might be some relief for Isles fans, since Kumar is getting sentenced today for his misdeeds at CA.

[st.cronin]

I don't know how Isles fans feel, but I think Dipietro is a pretty good goalie.

[EagleFan]

In other news Islander goallie Dipietro is now reporting knee pain. When asked for comment his only response was "I hope it's not career threatening"...

[General Mike]

This is the most ridiculous contract in sports history.

[bulletsponge]

Originally Posted by General Mike

This is the most ridiculous contract in sports history.

no, A-Rods 10 year, 250 million is moreso

[cartman]

Didn't somebody in the USFL (maybe Steve Young?) have a 40 year contract?

[Blade6119]

Originally Posted by cartman

Didn't somebody in the USFL (maybe Steve Young?) have a 40 year contract?

It says in the article the only pro contract longer in US history was the 25 year one magic got from the lakers

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by cartman

Didn't somebody in the USFL (maybe Steve Young?) have a 40 year contract?

Magic Johnson signed a 25 year deal with the Lakers in 1981.

[cartman]

Here what it is, according to Wikipedia:

hxxp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Young_(athlete)

He signed a 10 year/$40 million contract, but because they were cash strapped, the payments were arranged to be $1 million per year for 42 years.

[st.cronin]

I believe Dan Quisenberry and George Brett signed lifetime contracts.

[saldana]

i always thought garnett's 7 year/84mil deal with the T-wolves was the worst, since the contract was worth more than the franchise was at that time.

[miami_fan]

As a non hockey fan, I'll ask the question. How good is this guy? I know hindsight is 20/20, but does he have the POTENTIAL to turn out the way Magic did for the Lakers or Brett did for the Royals? If he is a Hall of Fame type player, than it is a good deal, no?


Edit: If he also contributes to the same type of team success as Magic and Brett

[General Mike]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

no, A-Rods 10 year, 250 million is moreso

Let's not compare DiPietro to A-Rod, or Magic Johnson or Steve Young. DiPietro is nowhere near those guys league.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by General Mike

Let's not compare DiPietro to A-Rod, or Magic Johnson or Steve Young. DiPietro is nowhere near those guys league.

Not even Steve Young in his Tampa Bay days? Wow, that is a horrible contract.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

As a non hockey fan, I'll ask the question. How good is this guy? I know hindsight is 20/20, but does he have the POTENTIAL to turn out the way Magic did for the Lakers or Brett did for the Royals? If he is a Hall of Fame type player, than it is a good deal, no?


Edit: If he also contributes to the same type of team success as Magic and Brett

I don't think he's on that level (who is!) but I think he could be quite good.. I don't think it's that bad a deal.

[Johnny93g]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

As a non hockey fan, I'll ask the question. How good is this guy? I know hindsight is 20/20, but does he have the POTENTIAL to turn out the way Magic did for the Lakers or Brett did for the Royals? If he is a Hall of Fame type player, than it is a good deal, no?


Edit: If he also contributes to the same type of team success as Magic and Brett

Right now, id say he is average. He's a former #1 overall pick, who still has some developing to do. If he keeps improving, he can be one of the top 5 goalies in the league. The thing is he isnt there yet, and theres no guarentee he will get there.

I don't think he will ever be close to a Magic Johnson type. Even if he reaches his full potential. Obviously, the Isle's think different.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by saldana

i always thought garnett's 7 year/84mil deal with the T-wolves was the worst, since the contract was worth more than the franchise was at that time.

I'm pretty sure his deal was for more than that, upwards of 110-120 million. In those last 2-3 years of it, he made somewhere near 60million IIRC.

[saldana]

Originally Posted by stevew

I'm pretty sure his deal was for more than that, upwards of 110-120 million. In those last 2-3 years of it, he made somewhere near 60million IIRC.

why dont you stop be so mean....just becuase you degrade me, i googled around til i find the exact number...6 years, 126 mil....why you always pick on me

[lighthousekeeper]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Magic Johnson signed a 25 year deal with the Lakers in 1981.

First thought: Magic's finally a free agent this year.

Second thought: Bet the Islanders hope DiPietro doesn't get AIDS too.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Johnny93g

I don't think he will ever be close to a Magic Johnson type. Even if he reaches his full potential. Obviously, the Isle's think different.

You know what...I don't even believe that the Islanders do feel different. They are that dumb.

[Logan]

Belt
------
lighthousekeeper's post

[saldana]

Originally Posted by Logan

Belt
------
lighthousekeeper's post

this took me a second to get...nicely done

[Sublime 2]

I only semi-root for him b/c he is a 'BU-Product' then again he was there before I was and he left after one year.....good luck is all i have to say.

[Groundhog]

If I were him I'd be out of shape, continously drunk, and completely uninterested in hockey within 24 hours of signing this contract.

[Capital]

DiPietro is a slightly above average goalie who still has a chance to improve. His GAA last year was 3.02. 15 yr deal is freightening

I would have thought that the Islanders would have learned thier lesson with Alexi Yashin's long contract.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by saldana

why dont you stop be so mean....just becuase you degrade me, i googled around til i find the exact number...6 years, 126 mil....why you always pick on me

probably because he cyber bully

[FrogMan]

Garth Snow is the Isles's new general manager???

FM

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

probably because he cyber bully

shut up asswhite. you probably jerkoff who made bad direction and got my car lost in pittsburgh this weekend. you say greenbelt but mean bluebelt and then my car get wrongway and my wife get mad. i ask what better 279 or 19 but you say take 28. if you met me in real life you would think i cool.

[Fidatelo]

I think the big difference between this contract and all the other really long deals in pro-sports is that those players were established stars, and the contracts were for top dollar.

Not only do the Isles have no guarantee that DiPietro will ever be worth that kind of contract, but I'd worry about the competitive nature of a guy who is willing to sign a 15 year contract that places him as the 8th paid goalie in the league TODAY. In 10 years it is extremely likely he will be one of the lowest paid starters in the league. I can't picture Magic Johnson, or any other elite player, having ever been ok with signing a deal like that.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

I think the big difference between this contract and all the other really long deals in pro-sports is that those players were established stars, and the contracts were for top dollar.

Not only do the Isles have no guarantee that DiPietro will ever be worth that kind of contract, but I'd worry about the competitive nature of a guy who is willing to sign a 15 year contract that places him as the 8th paid goalie in the league TODAY. In 10 years it is extremely likely he will be one of the lowest paid starters in the league. I can't picture Magic Johnson, or any other elite player, having ever been ok with signing a deal like that.

While it's certainly possible that he may be among the lowest paid starters in the league in 10 years, in 12-15 years he'll certainly be one of the highest paid 37-39 goalies in the league. Looking at proven guys like Hasek, Belfour, CuJo, etc., all of these guys have very small contracts at this stage of their careers.

Another problem with this is what if DiPietro isn't the Isles' goalie of the next 15 years? What if they stumble upon an incredible new talent (not likely, I know) who is better than DiPietro. Do they keep DiPietro as a $4.5 million back-up? Or do they trade the young, promising goalie? DiPietro's contract makes him virtually untradeable. No GM in their right mind will be willing to pick-up that deal. I guess the Isles could always cut him and end up having 2/3 of his contract under their cap for the next X amount of years.

[rkmsuf]

The NHL won't even be around in 15 years. Great deal for the Isles!

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

The NHL won't even be around in 15 years.

You're on notice.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

You're on notice.

booyeah!

[cartman]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

The NHL won't even be around in 15 years. Great deal for the Isles!

Maybe not. According to the Wiki article, Steve Young is still being paid on his USFL contract!

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by cartman

Maybe not. According to the Wiki article, Steve Young is still being paid on his USFL contract!

I wonder if He Hate Me is still repeating rewards from the XFL.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by stevew

shut up asswhite. you probably jerkoff who made bad direction and got my car lost in pittsburgh this weekend. you say greenbelt but mean bluebelt and then my car get wrongway and my wife get mad. i ask what better 279 or 19 but you say take 28. if you met me in real life you would think i cool.

This is accurate on so many levels.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

If I were him I'd be out of shape, continously drunk, and completely uninterested in hockey within 24 hours of signing this contract.

Which is probably, at least part of, the reason you are not him.