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Rather than waste his flight watching the latest feeble Fantastic Four movie or reading a six month old copy of SkyMall, Newsday's Islanders beatwriter Arthur Staple took the time this morning to answer some questions from fans via Twitter.
The result was mostly philosophical about the team's current slide and how the players are handling it. Other topics included the call-up of Adam Pelech, the slumping offense, the status of Ryan Strome and the longterm job stability of Jack Capuano. You can read the entire thread here, but here are a few select questions and answers.
@giaco1025 Lack of confidence. It seems to be contagious this season.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@Jay_Cinematic Maybe... If you need a shrink to coach your NHL team, I'd say you're never gonna win, period.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@tisaac39 You play the violin well. The conductor says, "here, we're struggling, play the cello." you'll get by, but will you be better?
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@cward21187 They juggled because 18 was bad, then 91 was out, and now they can't score. Not like they just did it for the heck of it.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@flanoddo I'd guess Bailey goes back in and Beck sits. And possibly Pelech for Strait.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@AaronCrocco W/ Pelech recall, I think choice is to change his partner to someone a bit steadier. And yes, Zid was terrible last night.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@flanoddo I think Pelech's been good, reward for playing well and a chance to see what he can do on left side.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@Steve_Melvin I doubt it. Too important to the core right now.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@LAP271 Very different player, so I don't think so. Could Strome really say he played well? You have to earn it, esp. on a good team.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@alupo8897 Pure guess: Until Thanksgiving.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@tinney_brian Play better or you could be next. And one would hope they're getting fed up with one another, not waiting for the coach.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@dlawless9 They certainly need more from in off. zone, but he and Hamonic have actually been pretty good in the D zone, I think.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@thereluctantk Could be. Ice like that doesn't help a team play fast. But this is too many high-end guys (2, 55, 18, 29, 27) out of sync.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@cward21187 Coach
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@ArthurPesner They need a Clark Gillies type who can score a few goals.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@cultureoflosing I guess so. But if they're all suddenly so fragile, no coach or trade can change that.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@CityTim30 I hear Yashin's available
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
@matthamlin4 I'm terrible at sleeping on planes.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 9, 2015
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As always we thank Arthur for his time. And as he lands in California, I'd like to take this opportunity to offer a selection for his #IslesRoadTripMix playlist, pushing the finest musician the Golden State ever produced: