Rick DiPietro was still recovering from his multiple surgeries at this point last season, and it wasn't a mystery as to whether or not Rick would be starting in goal for the 2009-2010 season. With Martin Biron signed to a one-year deal in the middle of the summer and Dwayne Roloson signed to a two-year deal just a short while after free agency began, it was all but certain that Rick was going to miss opening night.
In fact, his return to the NHL didn't happen until the winter time after a few appearances with the Islanders AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.