That is our focus. I hope you all agree it is the right one.
Check out this article. It sums up our philosophy: Worry about what is important and build a championship team.
I am enjoying my time in Montreal but it seems like a vacation NOT about meeting any of our goals. Go Caps!
The All-Star game is a vacation. I watched it only because there’s no other hockey on TV this weekend. Maybe next year they can move it to the same weekend the SuperBowl and instead have some rivalry games in the off weekend before the SuperBowl to get some real intense games. Set up 15 home-and-home series across the league over that weekend from Friday to Sunday and make sure that some big rivalries are included!
That’ll get people interested in hockey.
I remember being invited to a Capitals focus group 3 or 4 years ago. There were about 20 other Caps ticket holders/fans gathered around a table with a “facilitator” asking us for all sorts of adjectives to describe what we felt the team and organization should aspire to be.
For me, it was a no brainer: “Stanley Cup Champions”.
Most felt I was being too “demanding,” and the “facilitator” kept pushing for touchy-feely goals like “family friendly,” “good value” and “hard working”. At one point he admonished me because every time he came around the table and asked me for another adjective, I’d say: “champions” or “Stanley Cup winners”.
The last go-round the table he even skipped over me and said to the rest of the group (in somewhat a condescending way): “I think we know where you stand”… as if standing pat on my adjective “champions” was short-sighted and unfair.
I left that night wondering if the Capitals organization would ever “get it”. I’m glad to see you are as clear cut now, too, Ted.
Having the goal of becoming “champions” doesn’t mean things like All-Star games, Individual Awards, and awards for Best In-Game Entertainment, etc. aren’t great things (they are!); but the team and organizational goal has to be clear (and sincere): “Stanley Cup Champions”
Go Caps!