Former New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro has had a rough NHL career — from injuries to disappointing seasons to not living up to his huge contract — he’s seen and experienced it all.
The Islanders put him out on waivers last week, and DiPietro has told News 12 Long Island’s Kevin Maher that the team waiving him felt like “they ripped my heart out, stabbed it, set it on fire and flushed it down the toilet.”
He also admitted that he struggled with suicidal thoughts.
DiPietro failed to play up to the 15-year, $67.5 million contract he signed before the 2006-07 season. This season, DiPietro went 0-3 with a 4.09 goals-against average in three games with the Islanders. There are still eight years at $4.5 million per season remaining on his landmark deal.
He has since been assigned to the team's American Hockey League affiliate in Bridgeport.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
