It is the holidays so I truly want to stay positive and upbeat.
Some folks didn’t reach for their remotes last night and change the channel. Instead they pounded out emails to me with rants, curse words, demands and some pretty basic “how could you?” emails. Trade this guy, fire that guy, sell the team, etc. etc. I received two of these gems moments after the Rangers scored their fourth goal.
I will remind those who sent the emails that we are all in this together. We must stay positive and a quick apology note now would be nice as well. 
I do have to say though that I am getting weary of this process. I am not sure why I have to become a punching bag for some fans after losses – or in some cases – even after goals scored against.
I would like to rise above the fray. Be nice. Be positive and enjoy the ride we are on as a team. I understand your passion but it is getting old having to read venom and angst and fury. What I may just do is block you from my email and make sure you are NOT allowed ever to post again on our message boards as well. There is no need for the over the top rants so I am really asking you if you are “true long term fans” just tone it down a notch. Be nicer and perhaps don’t hit the send button as much. Would that be too much to ask? Thank you.
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I agree with the others, blocking them out is a great idea and removing them from posting on the boards. I get frustrated hearing “fans” at the games being hateful and negative toward our players when there is a bad pass, a turnover, or goal. They should just stay home and wallow in their own odiousness.
You do a fantastic job Ted…..don’t give up, (as you have said) and banish those who cannot be respectful or decorous.
LETS GO CAPS!!!
It’s funny because I thought about all of the hate mail that was probnably being sent during the game. I actually thought about it twice, once when we were getting shelled, and once after we had tied it.
In fact I thought about sending a joke hate mail spoofing all of the haters.
Thanks for putting yourself out there Ted.
Anyone who can’t see that the trajectory of this organization is going through the roof may need to be prescribed some meds.
Missing so many stars and still putting forth a tremendous effort on the road is nothing short of amazing. This is the most enjoyable team to watch in the nation’s capital since the Redskins of the late eighties.
Let’s Go Caps!
Ted: You are a very fine owner in every respect. The good of the team has always been your foremost concern. You select good people and support them. You are a smart businessman, a noteworthy philanthropist and, no doubt, a man of great judgment and intelligence.
But, pardon my saying so, I think you are a little thin skinned. It shouldn’t surprise you (and therefore offend you) that there are some very ignorant, thoughtless, people who take great pleasure in giving the owner a piece of their small minds. Try to be amused! George
everyone’s an expert…
The best thing you can do: ignore them. As soon as those abusive email-ers stop getting ANY acknowledgement and air time, they’ll quit. Don’t respond to them, don’t write about them here. Just delete them. Criticism is fair; heavens knows I don’t agree with every move you and GMGM have made (or not made) and I say as much when I agree and disagree. But abusive email? Ranting email? Ignore it. If you cut all fans off, you cut yourself and who YOU are off… and the negative ranters win. Just hit x.
Just reprint their idiotic e-mails to make fun of them!
Do these people not remember the Atlanta game late last year? How about game 1 against the Flyers? The October meeting in Pittsburgh? How can you ever count this team out with it’s recent history of great comebacks? You can’t, and you shouldn’t, not until there’s no more game to be played. Add last night’s game to a growing list of character wins that will only push the team further in their development. Sure, I had them counted out last year early in the season and swore they wouldn’t make the playoffs, as I’m sure many others had as well. I learned my lesson, now it’s time for those you mentioned to learn theirs.
I agree with Edward, Mark Cuban’s page with all of his “love letters” was priceless. It might help curtail the abuse.
Too bad we can’t sell/trade/fire these types of “fans”.
I feel your pain, Ted.
Unfortunately there are a lot of perma-angry people that have access to the interweb.
The most frustrating thing about DC “fans” is their fickle nature. We all want winners, but outside of winning, you need to learn from defeat. The Caps, top to bottom, do this.
We have the best owner/management in sports…and one that is trusted and respected by everyone in the NHL. The fact that OV signed the biggest deal in NHL history w/o the help of an agent speaks volumes about Ted, George and the little guys of this organization (Escpecially considering Jagr debacle). Those offering criticism might want to look around and see how many other guys of OV’s caliber have done this…0!
If “fans” are giving up on this team after 4-0 lead, they haven’t watched these guys. Pens? Wild? 07-08? They don’t give up.
I hope they turned off the TV and didn’t get to see one of the best of OV’s games to date.
BTW – for all of those whinig about ice conditions at Phonebooth, did you see MSG? Probably not.
Thank you CAPS.
Look (a la Obama), here’s a positive email from a true longtime fan who has, to prove it, the cheesy puck with only orange printing that was given to season ticket holders for the Capitals’ inaugural season, 1974-75.
Anyone who followed the Caps throughout that 8 win in 80 games season is thrilled with the outstanding team and outstanding team player Alex Ovechkin.
Like most things, satisfied fans and customers rarely send emails. So you get the ridiculous negative things.
There are a couple of things I would change, but I’m not going to bother you with them because they are far outweighed by all the good.
I stuck with that game against the Rangers, too, and am thrilled to see the Capitals overcome all the injuries they have had this year.
My Christmas wish to you, your family and your hockey team: good health!
Ted,
block your e-mail on the game days.
i got to agree,anyone who rants before the game is over should not be allowed to bother you anymore.just block them and get back to the true fans.
Please please please ted, post those emails here w/email addresses. we will take care of them.
I approved of picking up Theodore at the beginning of the season and I think Huet may not have been good for the team anyway. Johnson is doing fantastically and it was great to see Varlamov. Hopefully, he’ll be part of the future in the Caps’ net.
The Rangers’ goals, IMO, were caused by defensive breakdowns and weren’t ONLY Theo’s fault. Sure, he probably could have gotten the fourth, but it was a pretty good screen and it’s amazing the puck made it through all that traffic.
My point is, I think the defense needs a lot more work than the goaltending. I’m excited for the day when Alzner and Sloan move back to Hershey. Not because I don’t like them (I love Sloan’s play and Alzner is so calm, I can’t wait to see what he can do in a couple of years), but I would rather see the Caps without injuries for at least one more game this season.
Oh yeah, and tell Lepisto he needs to put on weight, it’s too easy to knock him off the puck. I also like his play on the PP.
Sir,
I am extremely dissappointed that the Caps didn’t make a play for Mark Texiera. What Gives?
Block ‘em Ted. They’ve been warned enough.
Sweet Victory in NYC. It says alot about the team / coach that they would face such adversity and overcome.
Merry Christmas – Jeff