Chairman How's Glorious Army
Significantly Lowering the Bar Since 2008.

Well. It’s been quite a day, hasn’t it?

As you all know by now, the Pascal Pelletier Experiment has been declared a failure. I’ve got to be honest here, I’m very pleased with this development, for a few reasons. First, even if it’s a token gesture, the trade mixes things up a bit. It’s also worth noting that these midseason trades have, at times, worked out pretty well for the Crunch: think back to Konopka/Glencross for Hartigan/Motzko and Raycroft for Dupuis. Now, that’s not to say this is going to be the move that instantly transforms this lineup into a championship contender, but it’s better than nothing, I suppose.

All things considered, a guy like Brendan Bell is a pretty decent get. He’s of decent size when compared to the Mitey Mites we’ve seen all season, is competent with the puck and isn’t a turnstile on the blue line. I can’t help but wonder if there are more moves to come. It should be an interesting week.

Finally, a brief note: I did a brief Q and A with Brent Axe yesterday, before today’s trade went down. Note his apparent psychic ability. Axeman, do us all a favor and talk about the need for a new arena next!

MJ: Why, in your opinion, has this season gone so wrong so soon? Can you point to any one thing that sticks out above others?

BA: I don’t think this is a trade secret here. Defense, defense, defense. That defense is just too young, too small, and lacks a true dynamic play maker overall to expect to protect Dan LaCosta and Kevin Lalande consistently. Gee, if only there were a veteran Columbus could have brought from back from last year’s team who happened to be a team captain and would have been a steady influence over these guys. Darn shame one of those wasn’t around, RIGHT SCOTT HOWSON?

This team is also lacking about 2-3 more play makers on the wings. Seeing that the financial structure in Columbus is a bit troubled, it will be interesting to see how aggressive, if at all, they will be to address these issues. Daniel Tkaczuk is an OK move, but does it excite you?

MJ: Not that there’s an easy answer to this one, but if you were running the show and had the ability to make roster changes, what changes would you make? Not specifically “I’d get rid of Player X, Y or Z” so much, but more of a general direction. Larger defensemen? Find SOME kind of offensive threat? Steal Bobby Orr’s DNA, COBRA style, to create our own hockey version of Serpentor? Give me something, I’m dying over here.

BA: I like your Bobby Orr idea actually, but you nailed it. Bigger defensemen. Those guys are getting killed out there. I’ll tell you what these team needs though, and that is a Zenon Konopka leader. Easy to reference Z there, I know, but what I mean is a guy you know can lead the charge and, more importantly, will be around. LIKE SAY A DAN SMITH!!!

Sorry. Got off track there. But with Derek MacKenzie called up in Columbus, and I had my doubts about his as captain anyway to be honest, it’s hard to establish that identity this team needs without a true “C” out there.

MJ: Aside from that, do you think anything will come out of Howard’s trip to Columbus today? It’s apparent there are plenty of problems and a disconnect, to use Howard’s own term for it, between Syracuse and Columbus, as it relates to what this relationship should be. Is a breakup the best move, in your opinion, or is this one of those situations where it’s better to stick with the devil we know for right now?

BA: I think Howard’s trip will be productive. You don’t go from “a done deal” to a major snag that quickly. I’m sure they will patch up their differences and the affiliation will go forward. That said, will it be a five year deal as originally thought? That could change.

I’m in favor of a break up if there is a better option. Is there? If you can get Buffalo, then go for it. That is a no-brainer. You guys did a great job covering this. Looking at that list, no one other than Buffalo excites me as an affiliate. Carolina would be OK. Anaheim, Colorado, and Edmonton may be too far away for it to make sense.

Well, there you have it. Not that anyone needed to be told this, but the problems plaguing this year’s team are blatantly obvious. Really, it isn’t that hard to figure out. Maybe today’s trade is the first step toward something better on the horizon, yeah? I suppose that’s the best we can hope for. Tomorrow night’s game just got a lot more interesting for me.