We just came back from seeing the re-imagined Star Trek film — and I must say I enjoyed it as did every member of my family. Paramount has a new — tent pole — series now — this film series will become epic — ala Harry Potter or the Batman franchises — kudos to JJ Abrams for doing great directorial duties; the story held together and the CGI didn’t overwhelm the character development. Star Trek is great summer entertainment fun — and at the heart of the story was a new element called “Red Matter“; when it first appeared — I heard a young man sitting three rows ahead of us in the theatre say — “Lets Go Caps”. That made my day. Red Matter was also central in blowing up the world and starting all over.
Red does matter. And I am still receiving emails — mostly supportive ones thanking us for a pretty good season. To remind everyone — we generated the most points in team history — tied for the most wins with 50; won back to back divisional championships; made the playoffs for the second season in a row — and went to game 7 of the second series before bowing out to the Penguins. We beat the Rangers in series 1; and we lost to the Penguins — every game but game 7 was close in that series — and we lost two games in overtime. We were the youngest team in the playoffs during the second round. We sold out every game — we are sold out for all of next season in terms of season tickets — we have a great relationship going with Hershey and the Bears who are on to the finals of the AHL Eastern Conference.
Wisdom of crowds?
Despite this performance — which we rank internally as terrific but NOT good enough — I am receiving emails from fans that are random and frankly a bit hard to fathom. In a world where continuity matters and making incremental improvements are the order of the day — and adhering to a system is critical for ongoing success; here are the kinds of emails I have been receiving:
“Fish stink from the head down — you have had a decade to win a Cup and you haven’t — sell the team to someone who knows how to win”;
“First George Mcphee has to go — short of drafting Alex Ovechkin — what has he done? — we need to clean up this unholy mess”;
“It is time for Bruce to go — he has lost two game 7’s in two years — what does a man have to do to get terminated in your company — can’t you see that his system will never win a Cup?”
“Get rid of Fedorov and Kozlov– ; rebuild that first line”
“Get rid of Semin and Nylander- neither can play a game I like”
“Get rid of Fleischmann — trade Fehr; not getting it done — we need free agent vets in their place “.
“Laich is over rated — trade him while he has value”;
“I hate Bradley’s game — get Cooke back”;
“There is no place on this team for Gordon — he doesn’t score”;
“Steckel is slow — he peaked in Game 6 — trade him now”;
“Clark is over the hill — takes too many penalties — trade him”;
Brashear is too old and I don’t condone fighting; don’t bring him back”
“Eskine is slow — bring back Witt”;
“Juice should be in the AHL”;
“Mo plays a sloppy game — don’t resign him”;
“Green isn’t a good D man — move him to the wing”;
“Schultz is weak and often injured — trade him or cut him “;
“Not sure if Pothier can make it through a full season – you may want to move him”;
“Poti is too expensive — put him on waivers — someone desperate will take him “.
“Theodore is three or more — I told you NOT to sign him as a free agent”;
“Dont throw Varly to the wolves — trade for an experienced starter — have Varly back up our the new vet goalie for one more year”.
“Promise me you won’t bring back Johnson as back up goal tender”;
“Karl Alzner is simply NOT ready for NHL duty”;
So — basically — if we follow the logic of the collective wisdom of the crowds via these emails over the last 5 days — I would sell the team — but before I do — I would fire George and Bruce — and get rid of every player but Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.
How is that for a strategy to enhance continuity — build off of our success and seek improvement? :-). Imagine if we hadn’t racked up 108 points — or won a division title; or a playoff series — what would some of the email experts be saying?. Yikes.
I have always found the best thing to do is to buy some time — gets some perspective — do some analytics — never make a big decision in haste — see what is happening in the industry — do your homework as to what are best steps to improve the team; look long and hard at what the cap situation will be in two to three years; see what is available in the draft or via trade; and never act out of emotion or over react to the last game played. And at the end of the day — believe more in the players you have in your system than in players in someone else’s system. We will get better as our core group of young players mature.
I am proud of the team — and the people in it — we know we need to improve — but for those of you yearning for wholesale and radical change — and complete management and player turn over — I don’t think we will be able to satisfy you all.
Trust in us that we will do our best to change the team to improve it at its weakest links — but there is a CBA with rules in place — a salary cap and a budget to contend with as well.
We know Red Matters — we want it to be relevant and matter for a long long time — blowing everything up and starting over though might work in Star Trek the movie — but it isn’t needed nor do I think it would work for us right now.
Live long and prosper…
Tags: Bruce Boudreau, George McPhee, Star Trek, Ted Leonsis, Washington Capitals
Ted,
Every Caps fan is a little disappointed in some of our favorite players. If Mike Green were healthy and the same player he was in the regular season we would have won the Rangers series much earlier and we would have won the Pens series. And you would probably be getting emails from people complaining that we didn’t sweep both series! Ignore these people. If they’re so smart let them buy their own hockey team.
By far the best Capitals Season, ever…….too bad one game ended it bt one of those great teams was going home for the season following the game. Ted, tweak if you have to but this team is the darling of the NHL and absolutely should not be dismantled because they did not win the Cup. Lord Stanley’s Cup has not been won by some of the greatest names in hockey history…..so elusive, whcih is why those that do win cherish it so much. You have done a great job as owner of the Caps and imho The Caps are just setting themselves up for what is to come.
Thanks for 2009 Ted…..and thank your/our Washington Capitals.
Wow. I’m trying not to laugh at some of the comments you posted. Brooks Laich over-rated? Milan Jurcina should be in the AHL? Bring back Brendan Witt?
I can only admire your ability to read these kinds of comments and not overreact to them. I’m sure you’ve only posted snippets of diatribes against your ability to own/run a team and your coaching and managerial staff.
Ted - I have been a fan of this team since 1974. It amazes that the Washington fans can turn on you after bringing us the best team & season any of our local teams have had in years. Thanks to you and all the Caps for making this the most enjoyable season. My girlfriend is from the Pittsburgh area and I have converted her to “Rock the Red” We love the exciting, hustling atmosphere this WINNING team has brought to an area known for it’s overpaid, under achieving teams.
Thanks again for a great ride & hope for longer ones in the years to come. LETS GO CAPS!!!
[...] Of course Leonsis ties Star Trek’s “Red Matter” to the Caps. [Ted’s Take] [...]
Most of the fans think that Caps time is now. Doing good in a regular season is nice, but the expectations are much higher. Only if we can upgrade our D over this summer the Caps can be scary good. Many fans believe that the window of the opportunity to win the Cup is not very big and we might soon start loosing our stars due to the salary cap issues and such. In other words, being overpatient is wrong at this point of time. Let’s not waste the golden opportunity and the fan support.
Go Caps!!!
Hey Ted,
Keep up the good work, you’re a very good owner, don’t get distracted by haters.
It was a painful end, but a good season, for sure.
GO CAPS!
Ted,
Thanks for sharing these comments. I got a big kick out of them. I’m sure Sam Pollack and Bill Torrey were called idiots at some point. Thanks for a great team that you’ve let George put together and Bruce coach.
Ted, you and your staff have done a tremendous job. I enjoyed every minute this season. Some more than others, but this is one exciting team. The future is bright. Fans will be fans, and frankly, I’m glad you’re running the team and not them. GMGM has done a very good job, as proved by the depth in Hershey. This year when we called players up due to injury, they were virtually interchangable with who they replaced. That is a solid farm system. I’m sure you’ll keep doing what must be done to get us a Cup. Game 7 against the Rangers was one of the most electric last 5 minutes I have ever been to in my life as a Caps fan.
Can’t wait for 09-10 in my season tickets.
Again, thanks for everything, keep up the good work, and I’m glad that you’re the owner of our team. Not like the Lerners or Danny Boy.
Ted, I am a fan from Abingdon , Maryland who travels to many games in a season. I would like to THANK YOU and your staff for a wonderful experience whenever we visit Verizon Center. I also think that all of the negativity toward the way the team is run is from people who would also complain if their employer told them that they no longer had to come to work and their paycheck would be in the mailbox every Friday. They would Bitch because they would have to walk to the mailbox. Once again THANK YOU.
Fran,Lisa,Eric and Ashley Van Blargan
I agree. The team’s success and potential argue for continuity - of general manager, coaches and players (to the extent possible). The criticism of the defense and of specific players, such as Nylander, is overblown. Of course, an experienced, rugged, talented defenseman would help, but even if you didn’t change a thing this team would continue to challenge for a Cup. I think your careful, analytical approach is exactly right.
Ted,
Well after game 7 I knew I would sit down after some time to decompress. In my 55 of sports I have never been able to explain the pressure and shear agony that the Stanley Cup playoffs suffer on any fan that cares. Good bad or indifferent it is unlike any sport I have knowledge of. I have suffered from afar (NC) since the 1980s with Caps success and failures. I was “lucky” to sit in the phone book to witness game 4 of the 1998 finals with a Red Wings friend and walked back to my hotel in total silence as he went off to party the night away. We had driven the 500 miles from NC in the early morning before and I don’t regret it one bit.
If you choose to share this with Bruce and the team at the appropriate time next fall. There are more true fans that support THIS team more than another team. This team needs to re dedicate themselves to each other and follow a true leader (Bruce). This team now is in a unique position that true dynasties have been. Players want to play in Washington. Cups are won more times with heart and unbelieveable drive not the most talent and hipe.
I don’t know about the “fans” you’ve heardfrom so far but this fan bleeds Caps RED.
Can’t Wait till October.
Ted,
Well after game 7 I knew I would sit down after some time to decompress and write something. In my 55 of sports I have never been able to explain the pressure and shear agony that the Stanley Cup playoffs suffer on any fan that cares. Good bad or indifferent it is unlike any sport I have knowledge of. I have suffered from afar (NC) since the 1980s with Caps success and failures. I was “lucky” to sit in the phone book to witness game 4 of the 1998 finals with a Red Wings friend and walked back to my hotel in total silence as he went off to party the night away. We had driven the 500 miles from NC in the early morning before and I don’t regret it one bit.
If you choose to share this with Bruce and the team at the appropriate time next fall. There are more true fans that support THIS team more than another team. This team needs to re dedicate themselves to each other and follow a true leader (Bruce). This team now is in a unique position that true dynasties have been. Players want to play in Washington. Cups are won more times with heart and unbelieveable drive not the most talent and hipe.
I don’t know about the “fans” you’ve heard from so far but this fan bleeds Caps RED.
Can’t Wait till October.
Ted,
It was a very successful year, building on the prior year’s success. We need to get better, and develop as a playoff team, but that will come with good decisions by you and GMGM. Thanks for the excitement, and let’s get going for next year. Go Caps!
Preston C. Calvert, M.D.
Ted,
Thanks for a wonderful season!!! We have followed the team closely since 2003. The progress of the team has been phenomenal. Stick with your plan and do not let impatient or unknowledgable fans sway your strategy to capture a cup. You are on the right track and even better things will happen next year.
Astonishing there’s no mention of the ketchup packets
(What… oh, right, I did say I’d never mention them again, although the ketchup is red….)
Ted, considering where this team was at the end of the 2003-04 season (with Mel Anglestad playing 2 games) compared to where it is now, I know you folks are doing the right things. As for the critics who want to bring back all these players or make changes, have they even looked at what George did?
He traded Peter Bondra (a very tough decision) but that brought in Brooks Laich, who in the last 2 seasons scored over 40 goals more than Peter Bondra.
In one round of one draft, added a superstar and two NHL calibre defensemen to the team. ONE ROUND!!!
Yes, he did trade Brendan Witt for a draft pick… they picked some guy named Varlamov with it.
Ya know, despite his shortcomings, Tomas Fleischmann has a much brighter future in the NHL than Robert Lang right now (alas, I wish Lang hadn’t gotten hurt like that, but he is likely finished as an NHL player after that…).
Anyone who asks what George has done need only look at his track record in building this team. Sure the goaltending could be better, but unless you’re San Jose with Evgeni Nabokov or Calgary with Mikka Kipprusoff, you’re team doesn’t have the best goaltending. For now, Theo is fine, as he was brought in to be the bridge from Olie Kolzig to Varlamov/Neuvirth/Machesney/etc. If it turned out that he regained is 2002 form, all the better, and who knows, he may (and his track record is still intact, he’s never lost a series in Round 1, albeit he wasn’t in goal for 6 of the 7 games…)
It was a terrific year and the future looks great:
- Hershey is in the Calder Cup Semi-Finals vs. Providence (series is tied 1-1)
- South Carolina is in the ECHL Turner Cup Final!
Ya know, I think George is doing his job pretty well…
Ted -
These are hilarious. While I’m pretty disappointed in yet another loss to Pittsburgh, I understand this wasn’t a cup run year. I think the entire organization was pretty clear about that - particularly at the trade deadline when GMGM said rather directly that he would not mortgage the future for a run at the cup in 2009. The goal is to build a long term winner. The team’s insufficiencies were clear - grit all over and a top notch defenseman (or two). There are some tough decisions ahead this offseason with our current batch of free agents and restricted free agents. I have confidence in the management team that the correct decisions will be made.
Ted, I could not agree with you more. As a fan for 35 years, yes from the beginning, I am more excited about this team than any others.
I trust you, George and your whole staff know what is needed to improve the team (I think it was obvious in the 2nd round) and you will do what you can to make those tweaks (not over hauls) without crushing us against the cap.
Let’s Go Caps!
P.S. I am finding it hard to watch the other series now though.
Nice tie in Ted.
Those ideas are out of control…..Gordon doesn’t score???? He wins faceoffs….can you get a filter to block out people that don’t understand hockey….
Geez…but it does make for some good reading
GO CAPS!!!
And here’s to knocking out all three Stall’s next year….we almost had two with a shot at the third…guess we wouldn’t have seen an XMAS card this year from the family if that had happened…
True blue(or should I say-red)fans appreciate all the work the Caps, Bruce, George, all the management & staff, and you, have done to give us an exciting season. Although there is disappointment at not moving beyond round 2, those of us who have followed the team for years look forward to next season with great anticipation and excitement! There will always be naysayers to contend with, but looking at what has been accomplished in the last few seasons, there is no doubt in our minds that the Stanley Cup will be ours in the near future! Go Caps!!
Ted, this why you are owner and all these short-sighted morons are not! Thank you and the players for a wonderful, memorable season and we will see you in October. It can’t get here soon enough! LET’S GO CAPS!!!
Hi Ted,
It’s truly amazing what little separation there is between the talent level of one NHL team to another and how difficult it is to gain an inch towards that first Stanley Cup. I for one think the Caps are on the path to gain inch after inch and that first cup is coming, mark my words.
After reading the comments reflecting a dump this player or that give it to me now or not at all mentality I just don’t know where to start so I won’t. I’m just going to say thank you for building this team and leading us towards the cup….I have faith it’s in our sights!
Regards,
Ken
P.S. Mike Wise had it so wrong in his Post column saying the Caps-Pens series road on the backs of one player from each team…no I in team Mike.
I absolutely love every player on the team, sans 1-2 who just don’t fit our style of play, but I won’t tell you how to do your job. I think you, Bruce, and GMGM are doing a great job with the team and the franchise. Keep it up!
First, I want to thank you and the organization for making this season so much fun. I love what management has done with this team! It always hurts to lose to the Pens but they are a very talented and experienced team in their own right.
I believe in the core of this team. This playoff season should provide a valuable lesson for next season. I understand that some tough decisions remain with some of the impending free agents. It must be nice to know that the farm system is loaded with very talented young players. Maybe that makes some of the looming decisions a little easier.
Best of luck this summer. Please know that we are rooting you on. Rock the RED!
The best post I saw on the Caps blog was someone who said it would have been better to lose to the Rags in round 1 then to lose in round 2. Huh? Made no sense to me then or now. We have a fine young team that needs some tweaking, but the long term plan to tear down and rebuild is working. And they got a taste of what it’s like to win a series and are hungry for more.
The only thing I would have done differently this year is pick up Bill Guerin at the deadline. He has grit and experience. Would he have taken us further into the playoffs? Heck if I know. But it would have been fun to find out.
Thanks, Ted, for a great season and for building a great organization. See you next season. GO CAPS!!!
Ted, don’t listen to the nay-sayers. The Caps are a great young team and the last couple of seasons have been a great time to be a Caps fan. You are turning DC into a hockey town and I for one am extremely happy. I’d be happier with a Stanley Cup but we’re getting really close.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the great season Ted! We can’t afford season tickets but we did manage a handful of games and loved the experience, you and your team has done a fantastic job.
All success in the future,
Bob
While everybody who follows the Caps was disappointed with the outcome of game 7 with the Pens, those who have been following the team for years see clearly how far they have come. I will defer to you and your hockey people to do what is needed and possible to make the Caps continue in the right direction. Thank you for your devotion to building this team and thanks to the coaches and players for an outstanding season. Go Caps!
lol half of those emails I’d agree with
Dump Kozlov, Fedorov, Nylander, package Gordo and Schultz in a trade but keep Erskine, Mo and Juice. Let Alzner season at the ahl level until he’s really ready. He wasn’t ready last year.
But on the whole, I do agree that pulling back and gaining some perspective is the prudent way to conduct business. Knee-jerk reactions are usually never healthy. But, there are times to pull the trigger without sitting on that gunpowder for too long. Any great org in any sport should be able to accurately evaluate WHY they lost in the playoffs so hopefully the right lessons are learned in moving forward. Good season Caps!
Please pass along my thanks for a great season to the rest of the Caps staff and organization. Despite moving to Denver over 10 years ago, I still follow the Caps as I have since the late 80’s, and I love what this team is doing and how they have impoved. This is a great product that you and your organization has put on the ice and I look forward to the start of next season’s camps.
Ted,
Clearly you see the sanity of the masses . . .the simple response, and I know you are too classy to say it so I will, is: Look at the Redskins . . .10 years and what have we got to show for it! The reality is your strategy of slow and steady has shown promise. I think you have been spot on with your long-term strategy, and your short-term tactical decisions. Let’s hope for a cup next year!
That said I don’t pretend to be anything more or less then a fan. But one of our G-d given rights as a fan is to be able to second guess. Thankfully for us, you give us a venue to speak directly to you which some of my fellow fans take as an opportunity to “tell you your business in a way that’s perhaps crossing the line!
That said, I have one suggestions. . .I have been a full season ticket holder for years. And the people who sit around me have been as well. These are people I see about 40 times a year for three hours. To put that in perspective, I probably don’t see my own parents that often:)
I think it would be very cool to try adn organize an off-season party/event/gathering that brings us together. I don’t want to tell you how but I saw it as a section by section thing with possibly a player attending . . .can I suggest you start with section 111
Thanks Ted!
I think a big thanks needs to go out to you. We are proud as a city of your leadership both on and off the ice. The Caps did awesome! looking forward to next year!
I agree with your off season plan and experience-based belief in your players. You are far and away the best sports franchise owner in this town. My two friends and I are so happy we became season ticket holders this year-acct. # 2488037. Is there any way that I can receive the emails that so far only go to the one name on our season ticket account-Jerry Schrepple? Our account rep was unable to accomodate my request. I imagine there must be numerous small groups who jointly own season tickets.
Whether people like it or not, CAPS fever is here to stay. Your movie theater story is a classic example. RED is in people’s consciousness. It is embedded in our cerebral. It’s our identity. This fall I’m gonna try to convince my boss to buy Caps tickets for our company instead of Redskins tickets. It’ll be a hard sell but worth it. I got a red towel from one of our games and put it up on my office window. I thought about taking it down after game 7 but, you know what? It stays up there. I’m proud.
It’s always so entertaining when you print the “advice” you get from us armchair GMs. I literally laugh out loud. Of course, I have my own opinions but don’t want to show up in one of your columns
I’m just glad I secured my two season tickets before you capped sales on them!
I can’t wait to see it!
Re: the Caps….Don’t listen to the cranks (like me at times). Just keep doing your best. That’s all anyone can ask and I certainly think you guys have put your hearts and souls into this team and it shows.
Sapper
Kuwait
Wow, you have to wonder if the people who make these comments have a clue about the game of hockey? You, George, Bruce, Dean and Jay are doing a great job….the real hockey fans are thrilled with the continued upward success of the Washington Capitals. Thank you.
“And at the end of the day — believe more in the players you have in your system than in players in someone else’s system.”
I think that is the best thing you could have written and are words to live by.
Keep up the faith and the good work you and this team are doing.
LETS GO CAPS!!!!!
Ted,
Frustration is the mother of misguided statements. The fans that wrote making the above referenced statements are frustrated - disappointed - shocked at the final game. Frustration and desperation often walk hand in hand and feed one another - give us/them/yourself some time - cooler heads will prevail. Fans give of themselves totally - emotionally, financially and physically (time). High expectations are the result of commitment to a cause. I’m very proud of the team and I’m also very proud of the fan base - we rocked the red - we turned (yes the fans turned) DC into a hockey town - it wasn’t the media hype - it wasn’t great advertising - it was the fans that made this season a success - ask any team that came to the Verizon Center what it was like when our fans made the place vibrate with excitement. Patience please - the fans deserve it.
Why do you bother opening your email to fans? I think you know by now 90% of your responses are dumb. Set up another system so that someone filters through them and forwards you things that are meaningful. And no reason to keep publishing the musings of idiots, it gets old for you and all of us.
Dear Mr. Leonsis,
In response to the fan suggestions you were given: some people are idiots, no help for it. Hockey fans in particular I’ve noticed have a great propensity towards this and there really is no help for it. You seem to be handling their “criticism” with great grace.
That being said, I just have to share my own opinion. I’ve been following the Caps ever since I was old enough to go with my dad to hockey games at the old Caps center in the early 90s. He’s been following the Caps almost since the beginning, when he first moved to DC in the late 70s. He believes that this Capitals team is the best they’ve ever had, bar none, and has gone so far as to compare Bruce Boudreau to Scotty Bowman in how he runs his bench and interacts with his players.
Since it’s lunchtime, my metaphor for the Capitals is like a stew. I think all of the ingredients are there - talent, drive, experience, coaching - but they need a little more time to mix in and mellow before things are absolutely perfect. You don’t want to change too much or add too many more more spices because that could throw off the balance of things as they are emerging. Just a tweek here and there, nothing major. (I think that make sense…) I’m very happy with this Caps team as they are and am really impressed with how well they did this season. Given a little more time, they could be unstoppable.
Thank you and all of the Caps organization for a great season and I am very much looking forward to what next season will bring.
Lets Go Caps!
Cathleen
After the game #7, I was so distraught, that I made the comment..’If I could get a refund for my 2009-10 season tickets, I would !’…Then after a few days, cooler minds prevailed. After Game #5, I didnt want to hear the comments made by Ken Sabourin,..but they were true:
-The Pens were the better team.
-A good team will win, when they have to.
-The Caps aren’t ready for prime time.
All of these are true. I’m sure that in the off-season, Ted, GMGM, and BB, will bring in the pieces the will make the puzzle complete. I’ve been a season ticket holder since the Gary Green days, and commute from Hagerstown, MD,..so I couldn’t give up on the Caps,.when they are so close to being that good team…..So instead of getting down on the management; and as the ‘old’ Mr Spock would claim,..with all the negatives that were with the Caps in the playoffs, only positives can prevail….Lets go where this team hasn’t gone before !!!!
Nice Star Trek tie-in. I’, sure you’ll always get bad emails and you always do, but it is awesome that you let us know we’re being heard. Even if you have to do it with humor. You know how it goes, so thanks for a great year and make sure you guys look at the big picture; including what we did badly in our wins, to get ready for the offseason.
TED Thanks for great season! I been a Caps fan since the Caps and Bears were affiliated in the late 70’s. Living in Hershey I get to see first hand the young players in the system and patience is the going to the key. I think the way things are going the Caps could be the next Detroit. It may take a year or two but I think it will be worth it. THANKS! Ralph
Hi Ted, I’m sorry to hear about the panic room e-mails you’ve received. I’ve never written before, but suddenly feel I should. Let me first say, as a life long Caps fan, thank you! I just turned 25 and I still have vivid memories of watching the Caps lose with like 45 seconds left in quadruple overtime to the Penguins when I was in 5th grade. As Caps fans we’ve had a lot of rough losses to the Pens. Honestly though, I’m glad to have the rivalry back and the only way to have a real rivalry is to battle in the playoffs. Its too bad we didn’t play the Canes because when that goes down we’ll begin to build a true division rival, which I believe will be a significant development since we currently lack that. I bring up the old days though because everyone who’s been a long time fan should realize how far we’ve come. I mean, I loved Tinordi, Hunter, and Bondra but the old Caps version of continuity was to make the playoffs every year and lose in the first round with a strictly defensive minded team.
Its been a real pleasure to watch this team get built from the ground up and now that we’re finally developing I don’t want to see us trade Varly, Carlson, Alzner, Osala and the top flight prospects. I believe you all chose to build the team the right way and now we’re reaping the rewards.
This doesn’t mean I’m looking at the team with rose colored glasses though. I did agree with some of the critiques of players you posted. Many of the critiques of the Capitals have been common threads for a long time, so I’m sure its not news to you. Obviously Nylander didn’t barely play but I think it would be a miracle if George found a way to trade him, I’m sure its not for lack of trying. This D has been criticized more than enough and everyone knows we could use a big, crease clearing, shutdown d-man like Komisarek and ideally who has been playoff tested, but there are plenty of teams who want a guy like that. As for the forwards, I’m sure its been said a million times that we could use some gritty guys who charge the net and don’t just launch shots from the periphery and play too cute; Bruce has been hammering home the point all season long. I know plenty of us we’re thinking that Clark was exactly what we were missing against Philly last year and it’s been disappointing he’s been mired in injuries and its hard to believe he’ll regain his old form. These critiques are common however and I’m sure you’ve heard it all before. I really like the young group developing in the minors and on the team but I do think there is something to be said for experienced gritty vets who play playoff hockey. I think Brooks Laich’s critique of the team’s effort game 7 said a lot and the truth is this team took a lot of heat for their inconsistency in both series. The talent is there, the organizational depth in prospects is strong, the immersion of a young goalie is great, and I really appreciate how far the organization has come. I do think that the team has to ask itself some tough questions about what its going to take to win the Cup though and obviously any time you get outworked by the other team you’re not going to advance. In conclusion, I will always be a die hard Caps fan and I don’t agree with an abandon ship philosophy but I do think there is a lot of work to be done to build a Stanley Cup winner and there are a few key additions to be made that will need to come from outside the organization and in a cap era that means some guys won’t be able to stick around. I appreciate your steadiness and commitment and I know that you want to win a Cup more than most folks will ever know and you’ll keep pushing to take the next step. Congratulations on another fantastic season and some crucial organizational milestones. I’m glad you’re the owner Ted, we’re lucky to have you.
To Ted,
I am a huge Caps fan living in Saskatchewan. I have come to DC two years in a row now, just to see the capitals play. I am impressed with how the team is moving along and i think 2010 is our year. I don’t think you should trade Semin, or anyone for that matter..maybe a vet blueliner, i dont know really thats why you own the team and thats why i just support the team regardless. The Caps play sush amazing hockey after my girlfriend came with me she and her sister are glued to the TV and we are planning to come back in 2010. Anyway great job with the team, we will hold that cup in caps Nation…soon enough.
I agree that continuity is important. It’s a lesson that other DC area sports teams haven’t learned yet. I think right now you have a good blend of young talent and veteran leadership. I’d encourage you to do the opposite of what the fans have suggested above. Keep the coach, keep the system, continue to develop your young talent, and most importantly, keep around a few veteran guys like Federov to provide mentorship. Then, bring in a few pieces to compliment your core players and the coach’s system. The Caps are close.
Thank you for an inspirational season, for the exciting hockey and for returning the Washington Capitals to THE elite sports franchise in the DC area. No other professional team in DC has won as much as the Caps over the last 15 years. I look forward to another run at the Stanley Cup next year. Go Caps!
Ted,
Hear what they say, but please don’t listen. Last thing we need is a revolving door team that has a fan base contengent soley on wins instead of buying into the process of watching ‘our’ team grow from year to year. Was I disappointed at the game 7 let down? Heck yeah! Am I ready to yell for massive pink slips? Heck no. I have faith in GMGM and Bruce. A tweek here, a tweek there, some matriculation from the Bears and next year we’ll be playing in June. As Jon Bon Jovi sing, Keep the Faith.
Ted I can tell that these emails are getting to you. You would not have posted them had they not. As someone who works for a site where people write in for advice I can tell you this. If you were Joe The Owner in Peoria and were writing about being affected about emails I would advise you to simply get an assistant to read your email first and to delete the ones from loons. It is not worth your health and sleep to deal with these people. You are one of the few owners who reads and responds to his email but it should not go to the point where it starts getting to you. Can you imagine Snyder reading and responding?
On another note I am wondering why Comcast Sports Net does not take a golden opportunity and pick up the feed for the Hershey games while they are still alive. Riding the hockey wave that the Caps created I would have to think that they would get ten times the viewership that they would with their now-nightly schedule of poker tournaments and rodeos. Of course they do not answer email or respond to telephone calls.