For The Record on Some Matters

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The Washington Capitals would have loved to have played in this game in Montreal in a big stadium. We also would have loved to have been chosen to play in the New Year’s Day game at Fenway Park. We are all ready to play in big game environments and in front of big crowds. I don’t view these games as distractions, I view them as fun big time events that our players would embrace and enjoy the moments and the memories created. In fact, I have lobbied to get us involved in these games – to date – unsuccessfully I must admit.

I am hopeful that one day we will be chosen to play in a marquee match up in an outdoor game or be highlighted some way in a bigger setting. Those games and events seem like they would be a lot of fun and I look forward to getting the call that we have been tagged to play in such a game wherever that may be scheduled. I think these event games are terrific for our fan base and for our players.

Also in terms of the Olympics, our players embrace playing in the Olympics so I am a supporter even though the games play havoc with our schedules and our fans don’t really have an opportunity to partake in much Olympic hockey at the arenas. Someone makes a lot of money with the Olympics but our league doesn’t and our players don’t so that doesn’t feel comfortable or just but the competition is special and the players really love the team play so I am all for it at this point in time. I reserve the right to change my mind though about our players playing in the Olympics. It must be reviewed on a case by case basis and I think I will attend the Games in Vancouver next year to check them out.

My only concern is our player’s health. It would be a shame if one of our players was injured playing in a tournament outside of the NHL. That would be a bummer and is my main concern.

0 thoughts on “For The Record on Some Matters”

  1. I thought the Olympics more more intriqing when it was played by young up and coming players from the college and junior ranks. Maybe there could be a middle ground where some AHL talent could go as well. This would work only if the other leagues such as the Swedish Elite and the KHL agreed to the same terms.

    1980 likely wouldn’t have happened with NHL players.

  2. Arguably, a hockey career would loose its appeal and glory to kids in many parts of the world if they cannot see their best players at the Olympic games or are allowed to see them by a private club owner on a case by case basis.

    Fewer then would want to become ice-hockey players and would choose other sports that would put them in highlights at their homecountries. As a result, NHL will be loosing its international stars (kind of a big issue for Caps, isn’t) and, as a rusult, money. It will also create a momentum for KHL—a battle that NHL will still have to win with years to come.

    Finally, this is not an issue to reserve a change of opinion on–you either believe in this or you don’t.

  3. If we get another cold spell like last year during Obama’s innauguration, we should be able to host a game at FED-Ex or RFK.

  4. How about a 2012 outdoor matchup (or at the Roger’s Centre) with Toronto to commemorate The War of 1812 (the 200th anniversary). Toronto (then York) and Washington, DC suffered the most damage during the war….

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  8. Ted,
    What about this controversy between Vs. and DirecTV. Caps games aren’t going to be available to DirecTV subscribers. This is going to be ridiculous during the playoffs especially.