Comments on: The NHL has Changed

By: Duane

Duane — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 23:25:55 +0000

Hi Ted:
I spent Wednesday with fingers crossed and hoping that George would continue to make great decisions. I was not dissapointed. What you said about other teams wanting you guys to rebuild their teams is so true. Last years trades were excellent. It really gave a push at the right time with very little lost for the Caps. This year there was too much to lose for too little to gain. Great decision! Guess I have to go shoot another crow.

By: OrderedChaos

OrderedChaos — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 22:07:04 +0000

Thanks goodness the Caps didn’t sell their future to buy Chris Pronger. Hey, if Pronger were 26 years old… perhaps. But not at 34 with his best days behind him, not for what the Ducks wanted in return.

This team (and its development system) is built for long-haul competition, not a one-and-done run at the Cup. Thank you Ted, GMGM, and all for not losing sight of the plan.

By: Wes

Wes — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:00:31 +0000

I was a little upset the Caps didnt make a trade for one of the two players we were interested in: Derek Morris & Chris Pronger.
Then I saw what the Ducks were asking, which was absolutely ridiculous. I also saw what the Rangers traded for a small upgrade to an underachieving defensive core.
While people like me were a little upset at the deadline I think we ALL came to realize it wasnt worth it for either of those guys. At least we all understand that we are in need of a defensive player with skill and experience. Maybe even a little nastiness.
Im glad the Caps didnt make a move because I mean we are in 3rd place and still in the hunt for 2nd. Thats pretty good if you ask me. Also this year isnt just a ONE year opportunity for a shot at the Cup. We have a few and to trade away players than can help us win MANY Cups it was a smart play.
I also realize that with some players going into free agency at the end of the year we may be able to sign a guy who can help us in the defensive end. Feds and Johnson being 2 guys I dont see coming back which frees up some space to sign another key player. Hopefully in the defensive area.

By: chris

chris — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:24:13 +0000

Dan snyder could learn a thing or two from the best owner in professional sports!

By: chris

chris — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:22:49 +0000

What a great response.

By: Mid-Day Buffet « LinkedOnSports.com

Mid-Day Buffet « LinkedOnSports.com — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:06:55 +0000

[...] -A new NHL, a boring NHL. [...]

By: rjolsen10

rjolsen10 — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:55:25 +0000

Ted,

I for one would like to thank you and George for not destroying such a promising future for the lure of “now.” While you take your lumps for not making that “blockbuster” deal, please keep in mind that if most fans truly gave it some honest thought they would gladly take playoff appearances year-after-year over one shot at the cup this year.

You guys should be commended for the job you’ve done in ensuring the future of the organization is solid and hopeful. You can rest easy knowing this strategy will surely bring continued success throughout the foreseeable future.

If you mix in this continued success with the loyalty you’ve shown your players, it will also breed a reputation among players in the NHL that the Capitals are an organization worth playing for.

The Caps will be a force in the NHL this year, next year, and so on. Thanks Ted!

By: Oldscool

Oldscool — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:54:32 +0000

It doesn’t matter what the unnamed team asked for, it matters what we offered and they turned down. If it was Alzner, Shultz and a pick - I’d do it.

By: BartZ

BartZ — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:10:33 +0000

Not panicking over a three game slide but with Clark out I wonder if we could have used a Matt Cooke type pickup just to kick everyone in the butt heading into the playoffs. Maybe not but the team has certainly looked a little flat lately (and banged up to be fair).

By: Greg S

Greg S — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:29:57 +0000

I really like this team. While there are some parts I would like to see improved upon, now is not the time to do it. I believe I saw on TSN that there was only one (1) trade deadline deal that had an impact upon the Stanley Cup winner, and that was Carolina a few years ago.

Last year’s splash in the trade deadline was cheap. We were a saber rattling band of overachievers. Not so this year as many of our prospects saw the NHL ice, and all the GMs realized the depths of our farm system.

In business, long-term growth is key to survival and success, specially in these times. This was a great call. Like GM said, we’ll be knocking on the door for many years, not just one as a result of holding pat.