One second. Don’t send me that email. 
Wait for a day to complain. Chill for the moment. Smile. Laugh. Enjoy. Have some fun!
Caps are in first place in the East after last night’s win.
We aren’t undefeated this season so we have room to improve.
We haven’t played up to our own standards - let alone many of your standards - we have work to do.
We aren’t a great team yet. We understand.
We score lots of goals - 14 more than the next best team in the NHL East – but we let in way too many goals. We know that and we take too many penalties. We understand.
New Jersey is actually probably the class of the East right now. They are playing the best team hockey but for whatever random reason - call it luck right now in spite of all the issues we have and with all of your concerns, emails, blog posts and articles and calls to the Caps post game live show; without Alex Ovechkin in the lineup; without an enforcer; without a prototypical stay at home D man; without a gritty Dale Hunter type forward; without whatever else we don’t have including an owner who understands hockey - we are in first place in the East for the moment, for the day.
So wait until noon. The nice buzz will have worn off. Then fire away. We can all worry and angst together after lunch but until then, I declare it a no hassle morning. Thanks for Rocking the Red last night. Go Caps!
Ted — this may be an off the wall idea — but if Russia (or Sweden or the Czech Republic for that matter and assuming our players Backstrom or Fleischmann are on the teams) wins the gold at the Olympics would you consider (and the NHL allow)playing the Russian national anthem at the start of the next home game as a way of honoring OV and Semin’s effort (Varlamov too if he makes the team.) To clarify, in addition to not in place of our anthem.
I just think it would be a great way to show them how much we respect their background and sacrifice they make playing in the NHL, although they do make good money. Francisco
Like I said just an idea.
If Ted buys the Redskins, ROCK THE BURGUNDY!!!
Been a CAPS fan since the beginning and will always be a CAPS fan until the end! Great job Ted! Not enough owners around that have class like you do! Go CAPS!!!! And Rock The Red!!!!!!!!!!
LOL. Come Ted. You are talking to hollow heads, sound waves goes in one ear and out the other, as they say in the south: God bless them.
Win or lose I love those Caps. Kudos to those responsible for putting this team together. My only complaint has been the way Nyls have been handled, but that is from an outsider point of view, I realize that there is more to the story …
We’re having a GREAT year so far. Pittsburgh will be there in the end when they get healthy and so will Jersey but we are doing fantastic so far. We don’t want to be playing perfect hockey in November anyway. We need things to work on and to motivate us. Just ask Boston how peaking too early worked out for them last season.
Thanks for everything you do Ted!
Nice to read some clarity. Frankly, I’m pleased as punch. An imperfect season so far and yet sitting at the top of the east with 25% of the season in the bag? There’s nothing to really complain about at all, as far as regular seasons go. I’d rather have the drama, the penalty taking rock star, the tortured elder goalie, the fluky scene stealing upstart, the career minor leaguers leaping in front of pucks and even getting some goals. Thats drama. I don’t remember the likes of such drama on the Caps since guys like Stevens and Hunter patrolled the ice, and even then, never so much. Its fun these days, but some expect these days to last forever. Wouldn’t be nice?
Next time someone complains during the regular season Ted, ask them how the Boton Bruins ended up after that awesome regular season they had last year. Even if the Caps are bounced early in the playoffs the complaints shouldn’t be towards you. If that be the case the players will bear that load. The talent is there, the leadership is there. Whether or not the determination is there will only be known in the spring. The Cup Cometh.
The Caps are an awesome team, and an awesome organization. Keep up the great work!
Hi Ted!! That was fun last night, I mean really crazy, edge of your seat fun. The phone booth was so loud I loved it, every nail biting second of it! This team is doing what they have to do to get the job done, to make the changes they need to, to improve on what needs to be improved upon I’m sorry that others don’t see it. I’m sorry that others can’t be happy that the Caps are where they are in the standing. I hate that you get negative emails from people, I truly do because I’d hate for you to change the openness and the connectedness that you have to us, the fans. Part of what makes this entire organization great (to me)is how you treat the fans, I hope that a few misguided ones don’t spoil it for all of us. So thank you Ted, thank you for everything that you do each day to help make the Caps and my experience as a fan better!
this version of the caps has a better shot at the cup then the blue collar caps of old. enjoy the ride.
I agree with everything you are telling the fans. The problem is, you will never be able to satisfy everyone and people that like to complain will complain whether it’s justified or not. Keep smiling and doing the good job you have been doing. GO CAPS!
I have to agree wholeheartedly. As a coach at hear, I too see the “imperfections” and tend to dwell on them – and complain about them, as is my right as an American, fan, season ticket holder, etc. But, knowing all that, if you take a step back and look, this team is atop the Eastern Conference standings despite not yet having played its best hockey. If that isn’t encouraging, I don’t know what is. And, perhaps more important, the team has learned that it doesn’t need to rely on Ovie to win. So, with that in mind, if the other guys on the roster continue to play with the effort and intensity they have displayed the past two weeks, this team is going to be incredibly dangerous when the superstar returns…
Thanks for everything you’ve done!
On more thing, Ted please buy the Redskins!
You the Man Ted! The real question is what will the Caps do with the $4.875 million dollars of cap space once the Nylander holding pattern is solved. Will we bring up Alzner? Alzer and Carlson? Will we sign Forsberg and or trade for a defenseman?
Can’t wait for Ovie to return to the lineup!
C-A-P-S
CAPS
CAPS
CAPS
Are you kidding me? That was a great game last night – The Islanders are a good team right now. That was totally up to standards. And the first goal was another Alexander Semin moment that makes me think that if the season ended today, I’m happy. Brendan Morrison is a great addition. It would have been cool if Perreault had notched one in the shootout. They all remind of of the Blackhawks from the original 6 era. But I hope they end the season like the Canadiens in, say, ’65. See you Friday night!
Awesome show last night. Unnecessary penalties are our only problem. Some penalties are flukes, but clearly holding or wrapping up an opponent with 4 minutes left to play and we are trying to hold on to a win is unnecessary.
Mr. Leonsis,
Complaints?
Only complaint was the usual one, those darned third period penalties. Bruce will find a way to take care of that.
Beyond that, I actually saw many great things last night, in a really exciting game – Steckel’s dominance in face offs, Semin taking on a proactive offensive mindset, a long stretch where it seemed like we won every chase for a loose puck, an extraordinary performance by Varly in the SO, good coaching decisions with respect to goaltending, and most importantly, a win.
The Sky Is The Limit!
Seriously! I agree Ted! The amount of complaining in Capitals Insider has almost prevented me from reading it.
Rock the Red!
Thanks Ted for giving us an Eastern Conference Top Team
Boo the Nay Sayers, seasons still young.
I waited. Okay it’s 12:09. Gave you a extra nine minutes even. Here goes:
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Well done. Let’s go Caps!
Thanks for a great season so far! I will be there on Friday Rocking my Red!
No complaints here! Caps aren’t perfect and we all wish they were but they are human. And they put on a fantastic show last night. I cheered, I gasped, I stood through all 11 rounds of the shoot out almost biting my nails and sending Varlamov all the good will vibes I could muster. Of course he didn’t need them, he just needed to display the awesome skills we know he has. Thanks for a fantastic night last night.
Ahhh..isnt it great to have HI expectations! Winning isnt good enough anymore,it how your winning. boy I think you turned the corner with this franchise. Thanks Ted!!!
Born and raised north of Montreal, I have been a Capitals fan since the Canadiens traded Rod Langway (my favouite player growing up)to Washington many, many years ago. Fans need to remember it is a long season and with this group of great young talent, it will all come together in time for a long playoff run. Great job Mr. Leonsis! It is tremendous to see the arena full and rocking in Washington DC!! Go Caps!!