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Staple Twitter Q&A: Black Aces, Halak again and looking towards the playoffs

Busy time of year for everyone. Even newborn babies.

By Dan Saraceni
This guy is the guy now.
This guy is the guy now.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

You know what, kudos to this guy for asking this.

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Potpourri

If? Don't tease us, Art.

So you're saying there's a chance.

This is true.

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