I just went to my Washington Capitals email account. I don’t have a single email of complaint regarding the team. Not a single “trade this player or bench that player or fire this coach or that GM.” I can’t remember the last time that happened to me and for that I say “thank you.” Must be good holiday cheer or that we have beaten both Buffalo and NJ in a convincing fashion back to back.
I did have some emails complaining about StubHub or lack of availability of tickets to Caps games or “Why is Semin becoming a free agent?” or about the length of lines for hot dogs at last night’s game. I even had a few about ambient noise filters on Comcast SportsNet broadcasts but, all in all, a happy fan base and a clean bill of health in my inbound email box. Thanks again. You made my day.
Tags: Hockey, Ted Leonsis, Ted's Take, Washingon Capitals
I guess at least the fans that kept suggesting you trade Chris Clark and Milan Jurcina will be happy and filling your inbox today.
Lets go, Caps!
You may not have had any complaints yesterday, but I’m sure after today’s announcement that will change. Just keep smiling. It’s going to be a rough road ahead.
Anxiously awaiting to hear something from you on trading Chris Clark. Love Jurcina but understood the decision with 9 defensemen. Clark wasn’t just a surprise, it was a shock. I really do love this team, and while I understand it’s a business, it’s not ALL business. It’s very hard for me to imagine this winger from Columbus is worth a Chris Clark AND a Milan Jurcina. GM had done an awesome job…hope this one doesn’t backfire.
After the trade, and last nights game…. I’m guessing its going to be a while before you get another ‘complaint free inbox’. lol
In a way its pretty cool though, that the fans have an expectation to win EVERY game. Its not reality of course, but it sure is nice to have that expectation. It wasn’t that long ago, that we were just hoping for a decent game… and not a blowout… much less a win (and leading the NHL in anything other then ‘goals allowed’ was nothing more then wishful thinking!). My, how time flies.
Lets Go CAPS!
I hope it’s the same way this morning (the 29th) Ted.
Honestly, you could see last night’s result coming, for a variety of reasons. Hopefully the change in the locker room will be accomplished seamlessly and the Caps can move forward from here. I can see a lot of reasons why George made the move. Let’s go Caps, out West!
Count me as one that almost never has a negative thing to say about the Caps. However, the timing of the trade yesterday was dreadful at best. Trading the captain is never easy but to do so right as the players are arriving for their game last night was inexcusable. It should have been done right after the game or the next day. The team was very obviously affected during the game by the news. Hopefully, a lesson learned to never be repeated again.
Something tells me that will change with the announcement of the trade and the loss last night to Carolina………….
then why make the trade that you did? still love you though
my guess is you spoke too soon!
So, I just came to your blog, to read your “take” on the trade. And your most recewnt is the one dated Dec 27th. And it states the fans are finally happy with the roster & aren’t asking for any trades, etc. Then why would you decide to trade your Captain the VERY NEXT DAY??????????? Not only is he a great guy, teammate and Captain, but he was also someone who gave you all he possibly could. And this is what you do in return? Treat him like this? And you didn’t only do this to him, you did this to his wife & THREE young children. You just turned their entire world upside down.
You should be lying awake at night feeling guilty for what you have done. And don’t say it is business, because you were first in the league, so clearly he wasn’t hurting the team by being there.
I am disgraced by your actions. You are now an officially classless organization. You should be embarassed.
Ex-Cap fan
Sorry to ruin your streak, but I think trading the team captain mid-season was a mistake. Just like you don’t bench Payton Manning, you don’t trade your team captain. I understand professional sports is a business, but businesses don’t win Stanley cups or Super Bowls, enthusiastic, committed, balls-to-the-wall teams win championships. It’s not the year-end bonus that keeps guys in the hunt for championships, it take something more.
Did you really need that trade so bad that you go and mess with the psyche of the best team in hockey?
Okay Ted, since you lamented about a lack of requests/complaints…here is mine and since it is the holidays, how about I give it the right ambience.
Note: Please forward to George!
I’m dreaming of a white Kovalchuk
Just like the ones who light the red goal glow
Where we trade Semin,
and send a Fehr packin
To hear June cowbells and goal sirens blow
I’m dreaming of a white Kovalchuk
With every stupid Semin penalty’s sight
May Waddell not back at the deal in fright
And may all other offers for Kovi be slight
I’m dreaming of a white Kovalchuk
With every lazy Semin shift’s sight
May another deal see Theo take flight
And may all that cap space mean Cup in ‘10, alright!
Well, Ted, you will get plenty of e-mails now. The team had two of its most listless and lifeless performances in a while after Monday’s trade. It’s really tricky to tinker with the chemistry of the locker room like that; but, I guess the GM knows what he’s doing.
Sir,
My only negative comment is: When Al Koken takes the game play-by-play chair, the telecast can only be watched with the sound off. Example: The other night, AK was joking around with Locker all game long. AK missed five goal calls because he was yucking it up. Locker loves to take the bait and as a result they both drop their focus and you just can’t follow the play. I’m not that familiar with the opposition players and so is Koken. I can’t follow the darn game.
Koken is an on-air embarrassment and for the four or five telecasts he’s the TV guy, it’s painful Ted. AND I believe it’s your problem to fix. Not CSN!!!!
Why can’t be told by you to stay focused and be informative about our players (and thiers) and call a straight game? JoeB keeps Locker focused 80% of the time but his focus is lost quickly too. Sooooooo annoying.
As your GM upgrades the team on the way to the CUP, your announcers need to upgrade their on-air game as well.
Can you help upgrade the play-by-play focus with your announcers? Please sir??
Jim - a lifer caps fan….
Ted,
Has there been discussion about having the winter classic on the reflecting pool between the Lincoln and WW II? Seems the backdrop would top anything thus far. If they can fit hundreds of thousands there for an inauguration, why not 40K to see the Caps outside? Also, the lowered surface might make viewing better than at a ballpark. Would love to see it.