Rick DiPietro Last Played Over 10 Years Ago But Continues To Get Paid

Published on March 29th, 2023 9:35 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


Rick DiPietro's last "season" in the NHL was in 2012-13, when he played in three games for the New York Islanders, losing all three.

In the four years prior, DiPietro played in 5 games, 26 games, 8 games and 8 games.

In fact, DiPietro's last full season in the NHL came in 2007-08, two years after he signed his monster deal with the New York Islanders.

Despite last playing in the NHL over a decade ago, DiPietro continues to receive checks from the New York Islanders.

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In 2003-04 and 2005-06, Rick DiPietro posted some strong numbers with the Islanders, notching win totals of 23 wins and 30 wins, respectively.

Following his 30 win season in 2005-06, DiPietro signed a monster 15-year, $67.5 million deal, which was negotiated by Garth Snow.

The contract carried a cap hit of $4.5 million.

While eyebrows were raised due to the length of the deal, the Islanders looked like geniuses at the beginning of the deal.

In the two years after inking the contract, DiPietro posted 32 and 26 wins.

DiPietro was young, and the contract seemed like it was going to be a smart move.

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After those two years, disaster struck and DiPietro started to suffer from injuries.

In fact, he would play just 50 more games over the course of his career.

At the end of the 2012-13 season, the Islanders bought out DiPietro.

The total cost? $24 million, spread out over a total of 16 years.

The first payment of $1.5 million started with the 2013-14 season, and the last payment will take place in the 2028-29 season.

This means that, from start to finish, the contract will last over 20 years.

DiPietro, who is currently 41 years old, will be receiving payments from the Islanders until he is 48 years of age.

DiPietro, who signed his deal with the Islanders when he was 25 years old, will be almost 50 when he stops cashing checks from the Islanders.

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Deals like DiPietro's helped to start a trend of ultra-long contracts that the NHL eventually put an end to.

DiPietro, however, continues to enjoy his retirement with annual $1.5 million checks courtesy of the New York Islanders.