Yes! Hockey talk! I think Jonathan hit it on the head. Yes, it’s ridiculous, but more so, it’s a big risk. If Richards or, the mother of long NHL contracts, Rick DiPietro get hurt in the next few years, then the contract becomes a huge mess for the salary cap. On the other hand, if the players play out the entire deal (or even 75% of it), then it becomes a real bargain. As an Islander fan, I admit I was shocked when Rick was given that deal, and I look at any physical contact he has with a much different perspective than the other 19 guys on the team. He is our franchise. He is our future. He is already underpaid. In just Year 2 of the contract, many hockey fans are starting to realize what even Marty Brodeur recently noted: Rick DiPietro is already a Top 5 goaltender in the NHL. If Rick only plays 10-12 years of this deal, it will still be a steal. Of course, that’s a big IF. Although, I’d be willing to bet that Flyer fans are seeing things the same as Isles fans now: we don’t want all our players getting this kind of deal, but our heart and soul player is a different story. Get back to us in 2017 to see if we feel the same way.