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Yesterday afternoon, immediately following the news that Anders Lee's leg injury would keep him out of the playoffs, Newsday's Arthur Staple fielded questions from Islanders fans on Twitter about a myriad of things on their minds.
Yeah, yeah, yeah this is a little late, but the answers are still interesting and cover still relevant topics such as the potential for junior prospect call-ups, the future of Jaroslav Halak and possible adjustments the team could make for the post-season.
Let's go. Thanks again, Art and congrats to you and your family on your new addition.
Black Aces
Per Section 13 of the CBA, players may be recalled to the NHL at the conclusion of their teams' seasons.These players are historically referred to as "Black Aces."
The pool of unlimited recalls can include players from junior clubs like Mathew Barzal, Michael Dal Colle and Joshua Ho-Sang. As of this writing, all four of the Islanders top junior prospects are in the second rounds of their playoffs. Ho-Sang's Niagara Ice Dogs are up 2-0 on Dal Colle's Kingston Frontenacs, Barzal's Seattle Thunderbirds are down 1-0 to the Everett Silvertips, and Anthony Beauvillier and Shawinigan are tied with Charlottetown at a game apiece.
Staple was asked about the chances of any of those first rounders making an appearance in an Islanders playoff game.
@shimster96 Maybe Barzal. Don't think the other two are ready to jump right in.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
@alexdtessler Barzal maybe; I think MDC goes to BPT.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
Also on the mind was Kirill Petrov, who left North America after two and a half months in the AHL. Petrov, a third round pick from 2008, suffered from a foot injury and alienation from his homeland while playing for Bridgeport, and didn't exactly distinguish himself. He's currently playing in the KHL's Gagarin Cup finals alongside fellow Islanders draft pick, goalie Ilya Sorokin. He could make a return, but I wouldn't bet on it.
@sebbyb He could, once the KHL season is done.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
@DoctorOsty They'd have to see quite a bit more motivation from him than last time around.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
* * *
Halak Saga
Jaroslav Halak remains out for a few more weeks with a lower-body injury, but Staple was asked about his recent contention that Halak could be traded with the Islanders running with J-F Berube and Thomas Greiss in the future.
Staple stuck to his guns and divulged a little more about what each side might be thinking. Again, as he notes, this is just his feeling. So don't take it to the bank just yet.
@cward21187 I think there's enough depth in the org now that they may still want to move on. Just my reading the situation.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
@itsjakegrcic Get the sense there's some discontent on both sides.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
@disanttt @dagreendragon53 Might sign someone, but I think they'd rather have Halak's cap hit freed up for other things.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
@Ericsm27 Not much. Strictly a salary dump.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
* * *
The Immediate Future
With Lee joining Halak, Berube, Mikhail Grabovski and Travis Hamonic on a long, long list of Islanders wounded (today's game will also be without Cal Clutterbuck, Matt Martin, Thomas Hickey and maybe Nikolay Kulemin, all banged up to various degrees), some questions focused on possible adjustments and who to expect (or not expect) back and when.
@nickybellantese Nelson, back to where he had success early last season.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
@DannyFormo Yes, there's a good chance Grabo is done for the year. Hasn't skated in a while.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
You know what, kudos to this guy for asking this.
@cward21187 No word and no timeframe yet.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
* * *
Potpourri
If? Don't tease us, Art.
@chrivera94 Not Yandle, but if they trade Hamonic, I could see a veteran 3rd pair guy come in.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
So you're saying there's a chance.
@KJRowe6 Rattling whoever's in goal and slowing down their top 6.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
This is true.
@ThisFGOH There is a lot of kicking and screaming in both.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016