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<howard dolgon> I'm here
<Roo> Are there going to be any more celebrity appearances at the games
this
year?
<howard dolgon> possibly. don't know who for sure but we will keep our
eyes and
ears open.
<Stinger93> What are your thoughts on this weeks moves
<howard dolgon> no problem with Conklin. he never wanted to be in the
AHL.
<howard dolgon> Ben is a great guy and a real competitor but would more
than likely not have
been re-signed for next season.
<Dave...not THE Dave> what is your opinion on the quality of refs overall
this year...and is the
quality even worse towards Syracuse?
<howard dolgon> the absolutely worst ever. and if you've seen enough
games, the NHL is no
better.
<JohnD> What in your opinion is the biggest thing the team has been
lacking this season?
<howard dolgon> consistent goaltending for sure. early on we really lacked
grit and didn't play
with enough passion. our vets didn't step up and our better players
haven't been good
enough.
<Jummy> How do we know that the county will actually make the improvements
that the arena
<howard dolgon> ok. Kochian signed the contract for the ribbon lighting
and new back lit signs
yesterday.
<howard dolgon> The county has asked the legislature for $6-7 million for
improvements.
<howard dolgon> Despite what Pirro has said publicly, during the last few
months, he and
Kochian are committed to getting this done.
<mike> Are we ever going to beat Grand Rapids? No wins last year or this
year.
<howard dolgon> Saturday for sure.
<mike> ok
<howard dolgon> if not Ross will shave his head.
<Hanson17> What would you like to see cbus do in the off season to improve
our team for
next yr
<howard dolgon> good question. i will answer little by little so not to
get booted.
<howard dolgon> i am heading to Columbus over the next few weeks to meet
with Jim Clark
about next season.
<howard dolgon> on paper, we will returning 7 very, very, good non-vet
forwards.
<howard dolgon> konopka, glencross, platt, lindstrom, picard, pineault.
<howard dolgon> add Columbus' number 1 pick from last year - Brassard to
the mix.
<howard dolgon> the plan is to add to veteran scorers.
<howard dolgon> then decisions are to be made on defense.
<howard dolgon> Novak will be a vet and he is on a one-way contract.
<howard dolgon> either he will be in Columbus or in Syracuse. doubt he can
be moved.
<howard dolgon> Columbus has a d-man in junior named Kris Russell who is a
small guy but a
stud.
<howard dolgon> if he doesn't make the big club he will be a big time
AHL
player.
<howard dolgon> Methot should be back as a non-vet. pushor is a question
mark. does he still
want to play?
<howard dolgon> so we will add 1-3 vet d-men depending on the statuis of
pushor and novak.
<howard dolgon> columbus will get a veteran AHL goalie to work with
Popperle. count on that .
<Hanson17> thanks
<sundin_13> ok, here goes
<sundin_13> with Pirro's announcement of retirement at the end of his
term, has the
organization received any assurances that the deal made will still be
honored after he leaves
office?
<howard dolgon> it is in writing with the county. doesn't matter if it's
pirro or joe blow in charge.
but believe me, i will turn on the heat with pirro before he leaves
office.
<sundin_13> I like the sound of that
<Ted> Howard...a lot of fans have a downright anger over the decisions of
Columbus over the
years...Even with the great plan you just announced, most
folks believe Clark will never go for it
<howard dolgon> anger is easy to feel when the team is underachieving
<Ted> Is there anything you could tell us that might make us feel
differently about Columbus?
<howard dolgon> lets look at this realistically.
<howard dolgon> last season the team set a record for points.
<howard dolgon> a few years back we led the conference in points and only
injuries cost us a
long playoff run.
<Ted> seems like ever other year, we have a pretty decent team
<howard dolgon> if Kent McDonell hits the open net a few season back we
beat Rochester and
who knows how far we go.
<howard dolgon> we can't blame Columbus for playoff losses.
<howard dolgon> blame the coaches or players if you want.
<howard dolgon> this year Jim Clark added $100,000 to his budget by
trading for Walser.
<howard dolgon> Konopka and Glencross will be much better for
Syracuse
then Hartigan and
Motzko were going to be from now on.
<howard dolgon> Columbus listens while most NHL partners turn a deaf ear.
believe me it's
true.
<howard dolgon> on paper we are a much better team than our record. how
can we blame
Columbus for that?
<howard dolgon> and I am real optimistic about the future.
<harley> are there going to be anymore trades
<howard dolgon> not that I know of.
<Dave> Howard, how much time to you have...can you take some more random
questions?
<howard dolgon> sure
<Dave> ok, if anyone has them, toss them in
<sundin_13> would it be more beneficial to the organization as a whole if
Columbus
implemented the same style of play or system from top to bottom at every
level?
<howard dolgon> the system is pretty much the same. only in the NHL
the
game is a lot faster.
<harley> Is Reggie Savage going to come again this year do you have any
other celebrities
<Dave> Labbe please!!!!!! LOL
<kelly> I do but I don't want to repeat the question if he answer it
already
<howard dolgon> Reggie is working in Orlando. celebs are always in the
works so don't be
surprised if we add another one before the season is over.
<matt> don't add Britney please
<JohnD> --- Do you see the B-ball team being a pain in the butt next year?
<Dave> Just an aside, there are at least 10 fans I know who would love to see Labbe here to sign our
jerseys~! :-)
<howard dolgon> great idea on
Labbe. we have tried to get him before but
his schedule did not
allow. will definitely try again.
<howard dolgon> b-ball team? are they the soldiers?
<mike> Bullies
<howard dolgon> just kidding.
I hope they do well but I think they have a
real tough road ahead.
<howard dolgon> they will not affect our home dates if that is a concern.
<Dave> so Crunch have first pick of dates?
<howard dolgon> only if we want to play
Thursdays at 2 p.m.
<howard dolgon> our lease dictates that we have first crack at all dates.
<Jummy> Binghamton gets the All-star game, Andrews says he would welcome
Glens Falls
back. Is the future of the AHL going to be smaller cities?
<howard dolgon> bingo has been more successful than most bigger AHL
markets. I'm not
sure Glen Falls has enough corporate support.
<howard dolgon> and their building would needs lots of work.
<Hanson17> do you feel that the rushing of player to the NHL has hurt cbus,
with no plans if
their not ready Brule should have stayed in jrs, hopefully they don't do the
same with Russell
etc.
<howard dolgon> I agree with you 100 percent and have expressed such.
<howard dolgon> I do believe now that Columbus will be more patient.
Jim Clark wants to be,
sometimes Doug MacLean and his coaches are more impulsive.
<Dave> I would be shocked to see Russell ever step on AHL ice
<howard dolgon> well, look at Columbus set D for next year.
<Dave> Columbus is never set with their injuries
<Dave> If Russell is all they say, he is going to be something
<howard dolgon> foote, klesla, tolly, Westcott, hainsey and johnny. they
will almost certainly
add another stud D through free agency. that makes 7. where does the kid
fit in. and who do
they bump?
<Dave> Do you think they would consider Brule here, since he will be old enough
and isn't doing
much there>?
<howard dolgon> everyone else has a one-way deal, so the kid had better
fit into their top 4.
<howard dolgon> would not be shocked to see Brule spend some time in
Syracuse.
<howard dolgon> not definite but not out of the question.
<Dave> anyone else have a question for Howard?
<beauchfan> realistically Russell and McQuaid could be in Syracuse next
season?
[Wed Feb 28 20:26:39 EST 2007] Hanson17
<howard dolgon> i'd say that its a good possibility.
<Dave> I am campaigning for Redlihs to be signed! :-)
<howard dolgon> would not mind him as a depth guy on a
AHL deal.
<kelly> i dont know if you answer this question already--- but what is
going on with the goalies
for the rest of the season?? i you already answered this I am sorry
<howard dolgon> Popperle and
LaCosta. but expect a strong vet to be here
next year.
<Dave> any names in the hat yet?
<howard dolgon> goalies typically take longer to develop than forwards or
d-men.
<howard dolgon> no names yet but that will be discussed with Jim
Clark in
Columbus. they will
need a solid number 3 in their system especially with Leclaire constantly
being hurt.
<Dave> Do you think they will ever cut their losses with Leclaire and/or
Zherdev?
<howard dolgon> would not be surprised
if Zherdev is moved. they all like Leclaire and believe if
he stays healthy can develop into a premier goalie in the NHL.
<JohnD> even with our problems in the goal this season, I like having
Popperle and LaCosta, at
least when they have issues you can chalk it up to growing pains, with
Conklin there was no
excuse
<beauchfan> If you are looking for some one that's close to home how about
dealing for Jimmy
Howard?
<howard dolgon> I'll take Jimmy Howard but doubt Detroit will move him
especially with the
ages of their NHL goalies.
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