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Contrary to what the calendar says, there is no NHL offseason. No one knows that better than Newsday Islanders beatwriter Arthur Staple, who shunned congratulating the Penguins on their Stanley Cup victory and held a question and answer session with fans on Twitter this afternoon. The Islanders have a very busy month ahead of them including a buy out period and entry draft before free agency begins.
Let's get right into it with some choice responses. The full convos can be read here and here. As always we thank Art for his time and wish him luck on what will probably be a crazy month.
Buy Outs? (or, uh, Buy Out?)
@6_isles Buyout seems unlikely. If they can't move him and he can still play, they'll hang onto him for the expansion draft
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
"Prepping for the expansion draft" has become the new "Clearing cap space for a big move."
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Draft Dealing
@BoredJason Trade, most likely. Don't see them moving up unless it's a bold move near the top.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
@mikepac23 That's the way I'm leaning, yes.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
@KingRichard1982 Not GS' style. And good luck getting agents/players to trust you if you trade a guy after all that.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
In each of the last two year's, Garth Snow has made some bold moves on draft day. Could this year be another, with the 19th overall pick being used as a trade chip for immediate help? Maybe.
Just don't expect Travis Hamonic to be included. Between his play, his bargain contract and his clear loyalty to the franchise, moving Hamonic now would be a bad, bad look.
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UFA Outlook
@dlawless9 Still say trade. UFA class is not terribly popular around the league.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
@fatmanatee That's a lot of big-ticket items, my friend. I'll say 2 trades for forwards and a couple smaller UFA signings.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
@KennyConrade No shot. Asking for the moon and he's a headache. Why bother?
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
If you thought the Islanders might be in on Alex Radulov, who at last check apparently wanted upwards of $7 million per season to come back from Russia, you're dreaming.
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Negotiations
@BillyFitzz Slowly on 51. Guessing he goes to free agency but Isles will still be in the mix.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
@Collharvey99 I do not. Sorry!
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
@J_ferns97 Not sure on that. Czuczman is a goner -- Group VI FA who won't be back.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
@EMN430 July 1, 2017. I'd guess the Isles will want that done July 1, 2017.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
Looks like the "It's pronounced Churchman" era has ended. Go in peace.
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Potpourri
@19nobodybetter1 schedule comes out next week
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
@geduffer Get aggressive this summer and get some consistent improvement out of the young guys.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
@Doc__Ad Not really. There's constant meetings between Yormark/GS on that stuff. It's Barclays' show for the in-arena experience.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016
@ColinSchmaeling If they start slow, no one is safe.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) June 13, 2016