Comments on: There Goes the Dynasty :-)

By: IRockTheRed

IRockTheRed — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:28:42 +0000

I never saw the point to venting to you, Mr. Leonsis, about DirecTV. You’re not involved directly, so there’s not a whole lot you can do.

@Jeffrey - There is nothing Mr. Leonsis can say to the League about the officiating without incurring penalties and fines. The League has made its stance very plain. Teams are not allowed to complain about the officiating. If they do so on the ice, they risk “abuse of officials” penalties like the one Coach Boudreau got last year when Alexander Semin was writhing on the ice in pain from an uncalled cross-check; if they do so off the ice, they risk being fined. Players also risk being fined if they complain off the ice.

The NHL has off-ice officials who allegedly speak to the referees when there is something flagrantly badly called, but what you and I see as flagrantly badly called and what the League sees are probably two very different things. The video room reviews everything, according to the NHL, and takes action when needed… but that doesn’t help the team on the ice when the badly-called penalty (Laich, goaltender interference, really?) is called.

Personally, I can’t wait until Bill McCreary retires. When THAT referee was on the ice during the playoffs, the Penguins went 8-1 (W-L). Oh, and the Caps got a ton of penalties to the Penguins’ none. Multiple times last year, when McCreary was skating, the Caps had to overcome a 2:1 penalty defecit to win their game, and did so.

We can overcome bad penalties. Nine in one game is a bit too many.

Mr. Leonsis, I do have a question for you, though.

Do the Capitals have a record of which referees tend to call which penalties? I know the referees have the other way ’round, and are briefed before each game on what players tend to do what things, so that they are (*cough* filled up with preconceived notions *cough*) aware of what to watch for during the game.

Do the Caps do this too? I’d think it would be interesting to know which referees are, for example, more “sensitive” to hooking calls than others…

By: Oldscool

Oldscool — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:09:17 +0000

Great Leadership Ted, blaming the Refs rather than seeing a weakness in your D.

By: Chris Hersl

Chris Hersl — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:58:15 +0000

Ted,
appreciate you listening to the rant. From the outsiders perspective looks like the league is trying to funnell money to their partners from comcast and that is more then I can handle. Your solution works and is the easiest fix for the fans but it just isn’t right. How is the league advocating for it’s fans? Basically they copied the versus letter on the NHL webpage. As great as the team is, not being able to see the playoffs would make me strongly consider not renewing my season tickets.

By: some guy

some guy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:51:51 +0000

Ted, you are a big supporter of new media. Why not use this dispute with direcTv to start getting away from the old TV networks distribution method that is killing the NHL. The NHL will never have the mega millions TV contracts that the NFL, NBA, MLB have. So start exploring new methods of distributing your content. What about internet or other methods of direct distribution? NHL center Ice is nice, But If I only want to watch the Caps, I’m not interested in paying 160 bucks to see 40 out of market games a week if I only want to watch the 2 caps games. why cant we pay you and the team directly to gain access to streaming feeds of all caps games regardless of the old blackout restrictions or other circumstances?

By: Kris

Kris — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:40:57 +0000

“The refs can’t become such a big part of the night. Six penalties in one period and more penalty killing time than playing 5 on 5 time means that our best offensive players aren’t on the ice either. The refs played the best D against our best lines last night!”

Ted, that’s one of the most telling quotes I’ve heard all day and I completely agree.

I will gladly take the 1 point out of that intense game!!

By: Carol from Brooklyn

Carol from Brooklyn — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:40:03 +0000

Teddy, It was a great game! I called it the “The Battle of the Bands”. Your right, way TOO many penalties were called and it does change the game. Not much we can do. We did get a point. I will be Rocking the Red and yelling Lets Go Caps till The Cup comes home.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:38:58 +0000

Great suggestion about month-to-month with cable. Thanks.

By: anon

anon — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:26:20 +0000

Ted, you rule!

By: Karen Kraus

Karen Kraus — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:46:23 +0000

Or, people could go out and support those establishments with viewing parties, like Front Page, Hard Times or Greene Turtle. If I wasn’t working last night, that’s what I would have done. Get a few friends together, grab a table and have some fun! In the end, it would likely be less expensive too.

By: Jake Alex

Jake Alex — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:56:32 +0000

There is losing for the right reasons and losing for the wrong reasons. Last night was a loss for all the right reasons. I don’t think the coaches would see it that way, but as a fan, what an awesome game. Goals by the “Alex’s” and the new Morrison! A goal for goal duel between two high powered clubs. A nice bit of adversity with the penalties, but the team hangs in there anyways. Wow. I want us to win all of them, but if we have to lose, I’ll take it that way! Let’s Go Caps!!!

Oh, and as a lifelong Redskins fan, I’m so happy hockey is back. It will help through this difficult time…..