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With a day off in Arizona a working wi-fi set-up, Newsday's Arthur Staple took some questions from Islanders fans on Twitter today, with topics ranging from trades, the possible end of Kirill Petrov's North American adventure and who's squeezing their stick a little too tightly these days.
Some select questions and replies are below, but the whole thread can be found here. As always, we thank Arthur for doing this since we're reasonably sure he's not secretly an alien lizard person sent to Earth to enslave us.
The Petrov Affair
It seems Islanders 2008 draft pick and KHL veteran Kirill Petrov is leaning towards returning to Russia. Arthur mentioned this in his recap of last night's Islanders-Avalanche game, and he expanded on it today:
@Real_Tom_Meehan Seems like he's leaving next week. We'll see if anything changes this weekend, but he's not getting called up.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@Real_Tom_Meehan Yes, I would think so. Bad timing all around.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@francistancis They didn't know if Grabner trade would work, if Bernier were available... Things change.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
It took seven years for the Islanders to get Petrov to North America. In his time here, he's had a nice pro training camp, 12 games in Bridgeport and a broken foot. It would be disappointing to see an interesting prospect not get much of a shot before packing it in, but when a team's line-up is set in stone (for better or for worse) that's what happens.
I'm hoping Petrov changes his mind and at least makes it through the rest of the season because the siren song of the large adult prospect is a strong one. But being a stranger in a strange land without much light at the end of the tunnel must be frustrating.
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Six Santa's Slumping
@matt_can1 He was as frustrated as I've seen him after last night's game. He's fighting it for sure, but I think he doesn't need a wakeup.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@Gregasus14 I think Anders Lee is atop the list of people dissatisfied with his play. Too smart and determined to fall out of favor.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@islesblogger I'll be trying to address that in my Sunday insider, Mike... I think the old "trying too hard" really applies here.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@lawrence3030 Not injured, no.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@knightvine @Cnato14 @JOBYCH I think he'll be back there eventually. He does heavy PK lifting so I think it's about managing his minutes.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@rightontime31 I think he knows when to go and knows he wasn't doing it enough first 15 games.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
The "good" news for Anders Lee is he's about to spend some time with John Tavares while Kyle Okposo sits out a few games with a lower body injury. Lee's not the only slumping Islander, but they're going to need him contributing if they want to keep climbing the Metro.
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Unrestricted Elves and other holiday helpers
@aaronfeigin Yes, I think Frans will re-up after the season. And yes, I bet there'll be a couple moves.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@thejasonboland A top-9 forward.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@lawrence3030 Certainly possible. Maybe more an all-around forward with some edge to his game.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@Chris_Geno_51 Yes
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@MikeySeidz The middle 2.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
the Islanders adding a forward is a new idea that we'll surely be keeping an eye on. What's not a surprise is that Frans Nielsen might be a lifer. We could be entering the final stretch of the Islanders' Brian Strait Era, so start savoring these remaining games.
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Wait There's More
@pat_rosa1791 Seems pretty quiet. Doesn't mean a team couldn't come forward and offer what GS wants, but nothing doing now.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@mknycto I bet they'd do Shattenkirk for Hamonic right now. GS can't do that without knowing the budget for the UFAs this summer.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@CoachGary_6 Do they need a No. 1 center and what they'd have to give up to get him? Doesn't seem like it.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@brettborz Still a long way off, Brett. I'd say yes as of now, but still a lot can change before summer 2017.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@JoeyIce82 Definitely had a slow start back in Oshawa. Think camp did not go way he wanted. Still pretty young though.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@EricWilson_ Skating. Don't think he's ready to keep up with the pace of the NHL.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
@KingRichard1982 I think Barzal gets a long look next camp, but he won't be a first-liner to start. Strome needs to grab that spot.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 18, 2015
Lizard people!