It is a goal of the team to finish with the most points in the NHL. That is an admirable goal. We have never completed that feat.
It is a goal to win the division title, back to back to back. That too is admirable. And hopefully doable?
If we were to do all of the above, it would represent “firsts” in our team’s history. Check out this blog post within.
Our coaches and our GM and staff use goals to motivate the team and help to reinforce a winning culture. Culture is important. Having expectations is important. We believe in that fact.
However, we also know that it is highly unusual for the team that has the best record in the NHL to go on and win the Stanley Cup.
The regular season and the playoff season are totally different. We know that and we believe that. It is also why at trade deadline time, teams make moves to get ready for the playoffs. And then you hope that the moves don’t change culture or chemistry and knock you off your winning ways.
It is a delicate balance. We know that as a fact.
We would rather finish with a poor record; barely qualify for the playoffs; and then win the Cup. Yes, we agree with all of you that tell us about that but it is hard to schedule and control so we will play the best we can during the regular season. We will try to improve and add to the team for the playoffs. We will hope that any moves we make don’t make us take a step backwards. There is risk everywhere but we will do our best and we are grateful to all of you for your input and urgings and ideas but know that we now have expectations and we want to win, win and win always. That is a good culture and one that I am grateful for these days.
Wish us luck in meeting all of our goals. Meeting goals are important to our team. They are stretch goals. We now have a bit of “optionality” in making some moves. Maybe George will make moves - maybe not - but it does feel good to have some cap breathing room.
We start a tough road trip tonight. Watch the game on Comcast SportsNet. Cheer us on. Go Caps! Thank you.
Tags: Hockey, Ted Leonsis, Ted's Take, Washington Capitals
I’m more interested in how the Caps this year finish the individual games. Without third period woes, things would look even better!
One time I was one of those fans who emailed my thoughts & criticism to you. You replied with a short, succinct, & completely logical statement. And you were right. So I’ll stick with loving the Caps and trusting the ownership & management that is a model for all other sports franchises.
Now this was finally a great post, go Ted! .. and Caps of course!
Btw, thanks from the fans and I am sure George McPhee for taking on the added $5 mill above the salary cap for Nylander’s contract and allowing the team to now have more options now and at the trading deadline.
Caps continue to make strong statements against the better teams in the league. That was a great game to watch as a fan. It was also great to see all the Caps fans in attendance when the camera captured the crowd in shots when the Caps scored.
Caps Nation!
Good Luck Caps!!!!
Ted,
Thanks for continuing to make the effort to keep in touch with us, the fans. Truly appreciated, and your insight into the focus for the season is always commendable.
Please keep up the good work.
Thanks,
John
GMGM knows what he is doing- stop listening to the wanna-be- general managers.
Silly, I know, to think management is not thinking ahead about this, but I am really hoping the more cap room is carefully used to help resign Nick and Alex S.– and if possible, keep the young depth you have worked so hard to create as opposed to using up cap space on a veteran at trade deadline unless they are a rental player. Thanks for all you do- this has been so fun the past few years and the players you have put on the ice have everything to do with it.
Ted, the whole “President’s Trophy Curse” is a myth. President’s Trophy winners win the cup around 30% of the time, which is the highest percentage of any seed. You SHOULD shoot for the President’s Trophy, as it will give you the best odds of winning a Stanley Cup.
So I went and double-checked myself. Of the last 10 Stanley Cups awarded:
- FOUR went to President’s Trophy winners (Detroit ‘08, Detroit ‘02, Colorado ‘01, Dallas ‘99)
- One went to a #1 seed who was not the PT winner (TB ‘04)
- Three went to #2 seeds (and remember, there are two of these every year, but only 1 PT winner)
- Nobody who finished below the 4-seed won the Cup.
So it’s not “highly unusual” at all for PT winners to win the Cup! Go ahead and be happy we’re in first place.
One more piece completes the puzzle: A rugged, crease-clearing, stay-at-home defenseman who we can use in key situations like penalty kills and at the end of tight games. That’s what the Nylander money should go towards.
With that piece we’ll be favorites to win the Cup.