The season hasn’t even begun yet on Long Island, and there is already goalie drama.

When the puck drops on October 8th, the New York Islanders will find themselves with three NHL-caliber goaltenders on their roster in Rick DiPietro, Evgeni Nabokov and Al Montoya.  Although Montoya seems more suited for a back-up role, the team still has two starting goaltenders which could easily divide a locker room if it isn’t handled properly.

Word out of the New York Islander’s camp is that DiPietro is close to returning from a knee injury that shelved him last season.  It would make sense for the Islanders to rest DiPietro as long as possible, since injuries have plagued him for the past four seasons, and for the fact that he still has 11 years remaining from his ridiculous 15-year $67.5 million contract he signed in 2006.  DiPietro’s extension was the first signing under GM Garth Snow, so the financial burden means the team will do everything they can to give DiPietro starting job.

If DiPietro gets the starting nod, how will Nabokov handle accepting the number two role?  Nabokov came to the island last year, after the team claimed him off waivers back in January.  Prior to the waiver claim, Nabokov signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings in hopes of proving himself after a messy situation in AKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.  Nabokov never got to prove his worth last year, after he refused to report to the Islanders after he was picked up.  His reasons were that he wanted to play with the Red Wings and didn’t feel he could help the Islanders, who by that time were almost eliminated from playoff contention.

Nabokov’s refusal was disappointing to the team, but it was nothing personal against them or the city.  Nabokov was a star goaltender in the league during his 10-year tenure with the San Jose Sharks, but the team’s constant early playoff exits were starting to irritate the organization and its fans.  When Nabokov’s contract ran out, the Sharks chose not to bring the Russian netminder back in hopes of changing the team’s playoff mentality.  Nabokov’s rejection from the Sharks was very heartbreaking to him, and it fueled his motivation to prove that he was a clutch goaltender in the playoffs.

When the 2010-2011 NHL season came to an end, Nabokov’s hold-out came to a halt, too, as he finally showed up to Islanders camp with the same intention he had back in January.  So far, Nabokov has been the team’s best goaltender in preseason, showing the organization why they were wise to pick him up in the first place.  However, the franchise’s commitment to DiPietro lingers the goalie’s future, and if their “franchise cornerstone” is healthy enough to play, then moving Nabokov sooner than later would be the best case scenario for this franchise.

Islander fans have witnessed many front office blunders, like Alexei Yashin’s ridiculous 10-year $87.5 million contract, and a goalie controversy would just put the icing on the flavorless cake.   If DiPietro struggles early and often, and Nabokov’s motivation just somewhat rejuvenates his career (and the team is winning with him), how can they justify putting DiPietro back in or explain what to do with the remaining 11 years of his contract?  They certainly won’t be able to trade him!

The Islanders could have several trading partners to look to like the Florida Panthers, who are going into the season with journeyman Jose Theodore between the pipes.  Another reason for the Panthers’ interest is a knee injury to their backup Scott Clemmensen, who’ll be sidelined for at least the first month of the season.

Another trading partner could be the Phoenix Coyotes, who saw their Russian star Ilya Bryzgalov pack his bags for Philadelphia and have yet to fill the void.  (We all know Mike Smith is going to have too big of shoes to fill).

The hockey world knows DiPietro’s contract was a mistake and if a rejuvenated Nabokov can provide a spark, then management could have another issue on their hands.  The question is, will they have it in them to cut their loss with DiPietro? Or will they be forced to continue the cycle and pass on Nabokov for hopes of DiPietro meeting the expectations he has yet to reach.  I guess it will be up to Nabokov to force the management to decide.

Michael Jafari is a producer and contributor for WGR Sports Radio 550 in Buffalo, NY.  He also served as the Web Content Coordinator Graduate Assistant for the Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bandits and the IIHF World Junior Championship.  You can follow him on twitter: @mikejafari.

Follow the Business of Sports Network on Facebook