I don't know if I agree with you on DiPietro.  He's certainly not the best goalie in the league and not living up to his potential as a 1st overall pick.  Since the lockout, goalies have been in overabundance in the league.  Quality 'tenders who have been starters or backups in the past like Joseph, Belfour, Toivinen, Cechmanek, Cloutier, Potvin, Burke, Flaherty, etc., are wasting away either in the minors, Europe, or at home because of the lack of positions in the NHL for them.  When Garth Snow quit as backup goalie with the Islanders to become a GM, it wasn't because he needed a quick jump to management, it was because he knew he would have been an odd man out in the over populated world of goalies. 

Unless your name is Roy, Sawchuk, Brodeur, Hasek, or Luongo, you're destined to have five, maybe ten good years as a starting Goalie in the NHL.  Look at Jose Theodore.  Prime example.  He had a couple good seasons in Montreal and then had that breakout year.  If the Habs had thrown all that money at him over 15 years, everyone would have given up on the team right now.  Remember all that fuss about Jim Carrey about 10 years ago?  Where is he now?  How about Felix Potvin?  Wasn't he the next Johnny Bower for Leafs fans?  Dan Blackburn could've been a great goalie for the Rangers.  Until he got hurt and had to retire at a very young age.  That could happen to DiPietro and the Islanders would be screwed cap-wise for the next 15 years. 

Even older guys like Hasek, Joseph, and Belfour (last year), were once exceptional goalies who have been demoted to backup goalies.  Goalies in general do not last as long in this league as defensemen or forwards who carry a team.  Recently, Marc Denis, who carried Canada's Junior squad in '98 was sent to the minors by Tampa.  The same thing is about to happen to Raycroft (Leafs just called up Pogge and I don't imagine they'll send down Toskala).  Marc-Andre Fleury will have a lot of trouble regaining the fans' confidence in Pittsburgh once Conklin cools off.  Manny Fernandez is probably out of a job in Boston with Thomas there playing so well.  Finally, I imagine that Roloson isn't happy with his lack of playing time as Garon is having a sensational year in Edmonton.  There are way too many quality goalies in the league who fall in and out of their teams' favour.  I think it's ridiculous to sign one to a 15 year deal and expect him to hold his own for that period of time.