"Three goaltenders shared the ice for the Islanders' practice Tuesday, and the one wearing the white pads scuffed with puck rubber has a 15-year contract. That would be Rick DiPietro, who may be close to coming back from yet another injury, this one to his right knee.

DiPietro, 28, who has missed all but five games in the last two seasons, has resumed practicing, but he said he was not certain when he could return to action after encountering leg stiffness during a recent conditioning start with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the American Hockey League. So the Islanders have moved into a critical stretch with Dwayne Roloson, who does not have a 15-year deal, in goal."