The Fifth Liners

Rick DiPietro (1st overall, New York Islanders 2000) Where better to start on this list than the first ever player selected in the new millennium. Boston College's Rick DiPietro became the second ever goalie to be drafted first overall. His career record of 130-136-31 with 36 shutouts; 2.87 GAA and .907 save percentage from 318 starts might not look too shabby, however, it was far from the type of stardom this young man was supposed to bring the New York Islanders. What is more baffling is the fact that the Isles had so much confidence in this deal, they traded away Roberto Luongo to the Panthers. DiPietro would go on to spend more time in the treatment room than on the ice. Surprisingly this was still enough for Islanders to sign him to a mammoth 15-year deal back in 2006! Soon his injuries took a serious toll on his performance and the Islanders bought him out of his contract in 2013. These days he has taken the Tim Tebow approach into broadcast analysis. Nail Yakupov (1st ...

It appears that the New York Islanders have finally lost patience with goalie Rick Di Pietro and it has now officially been announced that they will use one of their two compliance buyouts on the remaining 8 years of DiPietro's 15 year deal. A former 1st overall pick back in the 2000 NHL Draft, DiPietro has struggled to stay injury tree during his time at the Islanders and hasnt been able to play more than 50 games per season over the last five years earning him the nickname 'Rickity DiPietro' and this season he only managed 3 games before being re-assigned to AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers - though he does stand second overall behind Billy Smith in terms of games started by a goalie with 318! Now officially a free agent it will be interesting to see how DiPietro rebuilds his career from this point