Raleigh, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - The Carolina Hurricanes added veteran depth to their depleted crease, announcing that Rick DiPietro was signed to a professional tryout contract with their AHL affiliate in Charlotte.
"It's a safety net and could give us more depth. At this point it's a PTO. We'll see what kind of shape he's in, how he plays," said Carolina GM Jim Rutherford to the News and Observer on Saturday.
The move was made due to the fact that injuries to Carolina starter Cam Ward and backup Anton Khudobin have seen both go on injured reserve this week. With Justin Peters' recall from Charlotte, the Checkers have only John Muse and Allen York at their disposal.
The Islanders signed DiPietro to an infamous 15-year, $67 million contract in the summer of 2006 and were finally granted amnesty with a provision included in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Under the terms of his July buyout, the team rid themselves of his $4.5 million cap hit, but the 32-year-old will receive two-thirds of the $36 million he's owed over twice the length of the remaining eight years of the contract.
In other words, New York still owes the Boston University product $1.5 million a year until 2029.
DiPietro was unable to live up to his potential as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2000 draft. He showed flashes at times, but a litany of injuries interrupted his 12-year career. DiPietro has played in just 50 games since the start of the 2008-09 season and finished the truncated 2013 campaign with Bridgeport of the AHL.
The Massachusetts native compiled a 130-136-28 record with eight ties in 318 career games with the Islanders.
Rutherford also told the paper that Ward is expected to undergo an MRI on Sunday and that Khudobin might be able to take part in practice.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.