Click here to see this photo.
Two famous people without a clue as to who the other one is. 
Another reason I love Alex Ovechkin! Check out the t-shirt. Alex was wearing it again yesterday when I saw him at Kettler.
Monthly Archives: September 2010
Yep – Big and Inexperienced
That is why it is unabashedly called a rebuild.
We had to change the team culture; the team’s work ethic; and the team’s character. We had to get below the luxury tax. We had to get young and create upside for our franchise.
We wanted to get bigger and tougher.
We wanted to get younger and faster.
Rome was not built in a day. There is huge risk in taking what appears to be steps back to youth but truly what could be worse than having 20 win teams two years in a row? And getting older as a team at the same time? Doing nothing was more risky!
This team is constructed with youth; with vets; and with young big men.
It is not a work complete. It is a work in progress. But the team likes one another; is coachable; believes in its upside; will grow up together by facing hard times; and will try to mirror some of the better Bullets and Wizards team of the past that relied on size, toughness and skill. Speed kills but size matters!
You will like what you see from our big men as they develop. You will like what you see from Kevin Seraphin as noted. I doubt more than 100 people locally have seen him play but thousands have commented on him. He is a skilled yet massive big man with skills honed in the fundamentally sound international leagues. He has great foot work and he is quite strong and rugged. You will notice him when he is on the court.
I am happy that we met one of our mini goals here – to use the international leagues to find draft picks, a pick I will mention we received basically for free.
I hope to see you all at camp at George Mason. It will be fun to start this journey together.
The Fleshtones
What more needs to be said?
Hum along. See how hard this work and life can be. Click here and watch on SnagFilms.
Boys are Back
It was great to see so many fans out at Kettler Capitals Iceplex yesterday.
We all saw a fun and fast game between our rookie team and the Flyers rookie team.
The good guys won 4-3 and it was fun to see so many of our pros back at the game rooting our rookies on. That is a great Caps tradition.
I saw Alex Ovechkin yesterday. He looks tight, tough and ready. He was smiling and he seems happy about being back with his friends and teammates. He is just a joy to be around. He lifts the energy level of any room he enters.
Camp is closed today as the pros take physicals but on Saturday you can come out and get reintroduced to the team. See you then and there. Go Caps!
A Big Profile on George McPhee
I found this one to be introspective, thoughtful and good. Thank you.
Opinions Are Like…
(….)! Choose whatever word you want - as everyone has one.
Will we be worse than last year?
Will we be better?
Do we deserve an “A” grade in off season or do we deserve a blog post analysis of being possibly worst team ever?
Your can decide for yourself.
Is rebounding that important to a stats model? Maybe yes maybe no. I can’t tell yet. We shall all see if we win 22 games - 26 games - 30 games - 40 games or 50 games, right? That is why we play the games, just to see! I know that health always plays an important role in a team’s success so for now I will keep it simple if we can be a healthy team. I believe we can improve upon last year’s modest results.
Time will tell. We need to keep our players hungry; positive; focused and up lifted; and a new beginning. The worst curse is being irrelevant and I am happy to say that at least we are being noticed and debated about. That is a good first step in our rebuild. You notice. You care and you debate. Thank you. Click here to read.
Semin as a Top 10 Right Wing
I agree. And more. Check it out.
Double Bottom Line
Being happy. Being positive.
A cultural shift. I like hearing this within our team. Camp should be fun.
I will be busy. This is my first time hanging around TWO teams at TWO camps at the same time.
The Gray Era
We have a coming change in the political landscape in Washington, DC.
All of us at Monumental Sports and Entertainment have gotten to know Vincent Gray quite well.
I know him to be a genuine sports fan.
He plays softball actively.
He worked hard to bring high school basketball championship games to Verizon Center.
He was always the lead in recognizing the Washington Capitals for their work and recent success. He personally gave Alex Ovechkin the key to the city.
Vince attended a Mystics game this summer and he was able to meet President Obama. I was happy to make that introduction.
Gray is in!
Let us be respectful and hopeful and upbeat and support him once the final election is held.
Youth Must Be Served
It is Andray’s time now – time to step up; be a leader; and be a great teammate.
I have spent some time with Andray. I believe he understands his role, his potential and his importance to our team.
He is in shape. He is very upbeat. He is very gracious. He is very involved in our community. He is a very nice young man. I am impressed with him on all counts. I like him and I like his upbeat personality.
I like that he believes it is his time and that the team is young and has upside. And while it has its critics, all we have to do is play well and be productive and develop well together.
My theme is we have a new beginning. Don’t look back - only look forward. Ditch all rear view mirrors. A new start. Be judged on what you do today and tomorrow. Don’t worry about yesterday in any way.
We are in it together.