But he might have pulled the biggest doozy today: He has signed Rick DiPietro — the guy he himself was backing up just last year — to a 15-year contract. That's right: 15 years. It's $4.5 million a year ... for 15 years.

It's the longest contract in NHL history, and the second-longest in American professional sports history, behind Magic Johnson's 25-year, $25 million with the Lakers in 1981, which, now that we look at it, doesn't seem all that great a deal at all. DiPietro is guaranteed the whole $65 million even if he gets hurt; at the end of the contract, he will be 40. Or three years older than Garth Snow, right now.

DiPietro An Isle For Life [SportsNet]
Who Knew Strange Things Happened In Long Island? [Deadspin]

(By the way, with the Islanders, this very well could have been negotiated by insane owner Charles Wang himself, which wouldn't be that surprising.)

(UPDATE: It looks like the NHL is considering not approving the deal.)

Fortunately, there is the great Off Wing Opinion, which has the comprehensive look at this debacle from all angles, and the consensus is clear: The Islanders actually seem more poorly run than the Knicks, and that's just a staggering statement to make.

Remember: They hired a guy to be GM, fired him after one month and then hired the goalie.

Smith Out, Snow In As Islanders GM [Off Wing Opinion]

(UPDATE: Puck Update has some rejected GM candidates. Party on!)

(SECOND UPDATE: By the way, after the jump, a couple of photos of Snow and what he might have done to celebrate his new gig.)