Rick DiPietro
It's seeming as if Rick DiPietro at this point is the most likely choice for the #1 spot. This has been his first completely healthy span in almost 3 years, and the first camp in 3 years that he's participated in fully and been able to compete at a regular NHL level. While everyone was ready to write DiPietro off into the buyout box, the performances he put up against the Devils and Bruins showed he's ready to jump back into the NHL on a regular level, allowing only 2 goals in 5 periods of pre-season play. This was also playing without a full defense against mostly full Devils and Bruins teams.
The biggest factor with DiPietro is of course his contract. He still has 10 years left on his 15 year deal, and it'd be highly unlikely that the Islanders would put a goaltender with a $4.5m caphit and 10 years left on his deal as the backup or even stow him in Bridgeport and take away time from developing players like Mikko Koskinen, Anders Nilsson and Kevin Poulin. We know the type of player he was last season after coming back with a very heavy amount of rust, but his quickness has improved greatly over this offseason and he truly does look like he'll be ready to go as the #1 when the Islanders play the Panthers on the 8th. This may be his last chance to truly show that he's capable of performing at the NHL level and healthy enough to be a #1 goaltender.
Al Montoya
The case for Al Montoya all hinges on only 21 games played. However, those 21 games played through the end of last season proved a lot in terms of Montoya's ability. We knew he was a 6th overall pick in the 2004 entry draft, so clearly the skill and potential has always been there. What we saw however was unprecedented. Montoya really helped this team save face at the end of the season and put up spectacular stats with such a depleted defense. Though not a flashy goalie, Montoya was able to get the job done, and truly earned high marks in the mind of this fan.
One would imagine with a healthy defense, Montoya would continue to shine and put up the same numbers as last year. If chosen as the team's #1 goaltender, it's completely plausible to think that Montoya would reach the same numbers he did last year with 50 or more games played. He's older and has done enough conditioning and strength training throughout his career where even though he's never done it before, should be able to make it through a big chunk of games without any major fatigue.
Evgeni Nabokov
After refusing to report last year, Nabokov joined the Islanders for training camp this year. On the whole, he has had a mediocre pre-season. He played okay against the Flames, but after taking over for Al Montoya's shutout against the Bruins the other night, he allowed 3 goals in to let the Bruins take the lead and win the game. If this is how he is performing with 5 days to go until the home opener, consider me worried. Yes, we know the type of goaltender Nabokov used to be, but it doesn't look as if that skill level exists in Mr. Nabokov anymore. If anything, he should be given a shot with at least one game further on down the road, but at the current moment is is the lowest on the totem pole. Both DiPietro and Montoya have outplayed Nabokov by a country mile.
Conclusion
The question at this point is - who starts on opening night? All things considered, including last year's stats, performance in the pre-season and general abilities, in my mind it does seem as if the most logical choice would be Al Montoya. The abilities he was showing last year were impeccable and on par with a #1 goaltender. With seemingly no health issues besides a relatively minor surgery this off season that he's fully recovered from and with two strong performances in the pre-season, Montoya seems like the most viable option. Yes, DiPietro is supposedly completely healthy and ready to go and with his contract is the most likely option, but after last season's debacle, I think it would be wise to keep him on the bench and have him play 30 or so games for the season unless Montoya's skills and play drop off rapidly, which seems unlikely. Montoya has done everything in his power to prove that he's capable of handling the starting job and should be trusted to do so. If the Islanders' goal is to win games, they need to suck up their pride and allow Montoya to carry them. Even if it's just to start. I originally would have preferred Nabokov based on the goalie he used to be, but at this point it's very clear that he is no longer on that level of play. This decision lies with Jack Capuano in the end, and hopefully he makes the correct decision. He's claimed that he's ignoring salaries and contract structures, but when one player has truly shined above the rest for the past year and continues to do so, the answer seems logical.
- Alex Tessler
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