Comments on: Time Will Tell

By: J. Daniel Keesler

J. Daniel Keesler — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:31:31 +0000

Let’s take a look at the teams that have been in and especially those who won the Stanley Cup in the last 3 seasons: Pit vs. Det., Det. vs. Pit, Phil. vs. Chicago. Everyone of them made huge moves, including the strange Hossa theme, to improve themselves in their quest for the Cup. They all had very good defense and were strong up the middle and the Caps obviously are not. The Caps have been headed in the right direction and we all definitely appreciate that but I think it’s generally understood that the only thing that delivers the benefit of the doubt is a championship. Beyond that, when every other team requires certain improvements to win a cup, isn’t it a little crazy to think the Caps are somehow the exception to the rule?

By: KevinF

KevinF — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:43:14 +0000

All us caps fans want is for you to take a risk! This team has needed a physical defenseman for years and has failed to get one every chance it has gotten. The front office seems to think that the run and gun will win stanley cups. The run and gun will win presidents trophies, but not stanley cups. 16th in goals allowed is not going to win stanley cups. Take a risk. We all know that something is going to have to be given up to get what is needed. Just do it!

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:55:00 +0000

Everything that needs to be said to reply to this post has already been said.

You get the benefit of the doubt when you EARN IT, Ted.

This fanbase has been chewed up and spit out too many times over the years to just sit back and watch this soft-as-a-baby’s-bottom team get bounced out of the playoffs in the 1st or 2nd round again.

Ticket prices keep going up, but the end result is the same…disappointment.

By: Clint

Clint — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:51:14 +0000

Ted,

For someone like you who claims to have a very hands-off approach in letting GMGM handle the roster moves, you sure do spend a lot of time defending those decisions that you had nothing to do with.

Food for thought.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:28:24 +0000

I like to consider myself open minded and can see both sides of this argument. I don’t know that overspending for D would be a good idea. However, all of the Caps competition seems to have markedly improved in the last few days.
I really hope you are right, Ted.

I like Pucksandbooks’ response. How about a friendly wager? Although I think that, where you to lose, you should donate money to charity as well.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:21:31 +0000

With a 30% increase in my season tickets I expect the front office to put forward a 30% increase into builidng a winning team.

By: Rob Lewis

Rob Lewis — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:34:30 +0000

“And haven’t we earned a benefit of the doubt”

Well, the Caps have won one playoff series since you bought the team, so no, you haven’t earned any benefit of the doubt.

By: Ken

Ken — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 23:29:04 +0000

How,exactly, has McPhee earned the benefit of a doubt?

He has failed to address our defensive woes year after year.

After year.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:50:26 +0000

As a Capitals fan since their inception, I can say that nothing about being a Caps fan is easy. It is just a difference of opinion. I am completely on board with developing system talent. However, I also believe that every team need is not going to come from within and as a result an occasional free agent signing is needed. A rugged defensive defenseman has been a team need for three years now, the system does not have such a player, and as a result the fan base is growing irritated that such an obvious need is being ignored. I will be rocking the red every season but I will be much happier once this is addressed.

By: Shmoo

Shmoo — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:29:12 +0000

Generally agree about lack of moves, but based on factors not mentioned by Ted. For example, we can develop prospect C during the regular season and make a move at the trade deadline.

A lot of stupid UFA contracts. But, we should have been in on Zybnek at that $ point. He would have solidified our D at a reasonable price for years to come with no loss of assets. We shouldn’t have Erskine or Sloan as a #6, period. Kind of embarassing for a team of our calibre actually.