There’s no truth to the rumor that Charles Wang sent Garth Snow to Isiah Thomas’ house for summer tutoring. From Newsday’s Greg Logan.
According to an NHL executive, Islanders owner Charles Wang and goalie Rick DiPietro are on the verge of announcing they have reached agreement on a 15-year contract worth $67.5 million. The deal is believed to be the longest in NHL history and second in the history of major North American professional sports behind the 25-year deal worth $25 million that Magic Johnson signed with the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers in 1981.
DiPietro, who turns 25 a week from today, is scheduled to receive $4.5 million in each season of the contract. Although the total financial package represents a major investment by the Islanders, DiPietro’s salary ranks eighth among NHL goaltenders for the coming season, leaves them $2 million under the current salary cap and should look like more of a bargain as the cap rises in the future.
Wang gambled big previously on center Alexei Yashin, who signed a 10-year deal worth $87.5 million in 2001, and lost when Yashin failed to emerge as a team leader and managed to reach the 30-goal mark only once in his first four seasons with the Isles. The size of Yashin’s contract is regarded as a mistake because it makes him virtually untradeable. He’s scheduled to make $7.2 million this season.
The length of DiPietro’s deal could have the same effect, but the annual salary number leaves the Islanders with some flexibility in relation to the salary cap. They still have room to add a backup goaltender, such as Mike Dunham or Brian Boucher from the remaining free agents in time for the first training-camp practice Friday in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
In an unrelated story, DiPietro should be pleased to note his alma matter, Boston University, are taking steps to eliminate vulgar chanting at Terriers games.
It’s truly a great day in the northeast when Phil Mushnick can find the time to write for the New York Post and serve as Dean of a major university.