Ted's Take

Check it out. I hope to see you at Verizon Center this summer. Go Mystics!

Can it be that only five teams in the East have won more games than the Caps? And only 11 teams in the entire league have won more than 41 games so far this season? Can you remember a closer playoff race than this one?

I have been overwhelmed with emails this week, very nice supportive emails. I cannot thank you enough.

 However, as you would expect, there have been some interesting emails too in which I will paraphrase about. "I hate the framing on the Nicklas Backstrom mini jersey gift." "Please trade Gordon and Steckel and bring back Jeff Halpern." "Please sing the Canadian National Anthem at the Florida game." "I was given three free tickets to the game by a friend but I need four. Please find me a free ticket in the row where I am sitting. It is the least you can do for me as I am a fan of the team and watch every game and I am coming from Carolina to watch the game." "My metro train was late and I missed some of the game against the Flyers. You should give me free tickets as an apology for my missing some of that game." "I am a Montreal fan first and foremost. Could you Fed Ex me a signed Ovechkin jersey and a signed Ovechkin puck? I promise to root for you to play against us in the playoffs." "My hotdog was cold and the ketchup was nearly empty. What are you going to do to make it up to me? How about four free tickets on the glass?" "I have a big idea on how to fill the stands. Get people on the metro to give away tickets and red jerseys as they go to work in the mornings. I bet more people would go to the games in this way." "Is it just me or does this team have no spark? They aren’t fore-checking or playing hard for the coach." "Do you really believe you have a playoff caliber team? What you need is a league exemption for Chris Clark and bring back Peter Bondra. He will help the power play in the playoffs. Call Bettman. I bet he will find a way to make this happen for us. It will be like bringing back Roger Clemens at the end of the season and your TV ratings will soar."

Do you understand this coverage? I sure don’t.

Do you understand this coverage? I sure don’t.

I think I will call the publisher, editor and president of the paper and try to get an explanation.

There has been a great up tick in interest in our team. It is a combination of four things I believe:

There has been a great up tick in interest in our team. It is a combination of four things I believe:  1. The team is winning and the new CBA allows fans in each city to believe their team can win a Stanley Cup. We have managed our cap space well and were able to re-sign our superstar player to a long term deal - plus free agents - and keep our core together while adding players that matter at the trade deadline. We are in a playoff race. We are on the upswing and are a feel good story. We are about the only double digit media-based growth story around. 2. The players we have now are young, hungry and grateful. They are blossoming before our eyes. They play a style that is entertaining. The fan base identifies with the players. Our best players are home grown, young and enthusiastic. Our city and community are proud of our players. The fan base now believes in our future and has hopes for a Stanley Cup. The faithful believe in our plan and are voting with their time, money and passion. 3. We have built infrastructure and management and personnel that are professional and have created very smart and crisp marketing and sales programs. We have excellent customer service programs. Our fans love Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Our web programs and interactive outreach systems are world class. The bloggers help us to generate ongoing interest in our game and team. The players help us to sell the franchise every day. We have very fair ticket prices and we were ready to capitalize on increased business and interest. 4. We love our fans. We have great fans. This is the greatest area to live and work and raise children in the country. I am unabashed in believing in this community. Thank you so much. See you tonight at the game and wear RED!!!! Go Caps!