Islanders G DiPietro nearing return

Dec 11, 2008 - 7:32 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The New York Islanders may get an early holiday gift as it appears franchise goaltender Rick DiPietro is close to returning.

DiPietro, who has been sidelined the majority of the season after undergoing knee surgery six weeks ago, told Newsday on Wednesday that he expects to return by Christmas.

The first overall pick in 2000, DiPietro has been skating in full equipment this week and is waiting for medical clearance so he can begin practicing with the team.

"It is my hope and goal that (I can rejoin the team) very soon," DiPietro told newspaper. "I feel really good. We've done everything possible to make sure that when I come back this time I'm 100 percent and ready to finish the season."

DiPietro, who required surgery to repair a meniscus in his knee, has appeared in just three games this season, going 0-2-0 with a 3.91 goals-against average.

The 27-year-old, who signed a record 15-year, $67.5 million deal in 2006, missed the first four contests while recovering from offseason knee and hip procedures before leaving New York's 4-3 loss to Carolina on October 25 with the meniscus problem.

DiPietro had his right knee operated on in June, but the Islanders have not revealed which knee was operated on most recently.

"I'm not even sure I can put into words how hard it's been," DiPietro said. "It was a long summer, a lot of rehabbing, and a lot of things to get ready for this season, and then to have it not work out like it did in the beginning and have to go back and do all over again - it's tough."

An All-Star last season, DiPietro owns a career record of 116-111-29 with 14 shutouts, a 2.79 GAA and a .905 save percentage in 271 career games.

The Islanders (10-16-2) could use a boost right about now as they have lost six of seven games entering Thursday's game at Pittsburgh and are last in the Atlantic Division.