DiPietro clears waivers and will report to Bridgeport

With eight years left on his enormous contract, former top pick Rick DiPietro will report to the minors.

Paul J. Bereswill/AP

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) ? New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro has cleared waivers and been assigned to Bridgeport, the team's American Hockey League affiliate.

In announcing the move on Saturday before their game at Buffalo, the Islanders also recalled goalie Kevin Poulin from Bridgeport. Poulin is expected to take over the role of backup behind starter Evgeni Nabokov. Poulin has a 6-6-1 record in 16 career games with the Islanders over the previous two seasons.

DiPietro's demotion is the latest blow to the career of an oft-injured player, who's failed to play up to the 15-year, $67.5 million contract he signed before the 2006-07 season.

This season, DiPietro is 0-3 with a 4.09 goals-against average in three games. There are still eight years at $4.5 million per season remaining on DiPietro's landmark deal.