Monthly Archives: December 2010

Can Everyone Stop Feeling Sorry For Us Now? :-)

Posted on by

“Woe is me” isn’t me.

The NHL has 30 teams that are all competitive and stocked with the best players and coaches in the world.

We don’t have a right and we aren’t enabled to be winners. We have to do the work.

We have to make our own breaks. We have to gain perspective. We have played 33 games to date. There are 49 games left to play. 98 points left to “go get.” We have 40 points to date. Six teams have 40 or more points in the NHL to date.

HBO will soon leave us. There will still be a lot of the season left to play. We aren’t playing a video game. We aren’t working within a screenplay. It is a season that is long. It isn’t like an episode of “Law and Order” where the crime is committed and solved and the jury is picked and the trial is completed and the criminal is sentenced all in one tidy little 60 minute show!

This is a simple proposition. It is all about winning games. It is NOT about the Winter Classic; HBO; sell outs; Red outs or whatever. All of our focus needs to be on playing the game; shedding outside pressures; focusing on shifts, periods and games at hand; staying together; qualifying for the playoffs; and then starting the second season with intensity and drive.

Each game matters but every game has 3 possible points at stake. The season is long. Points matter. Let us go get some points. Let us go win some games. Let us get back to winning more than we are losing. Then the snow ball fights and laughter and hugs and kisses will be plentiful. They will be there whether on camera or not.

HBO’s 24/7 is an early season phenomenon built around a game held on January 1st. It isn’t a series about the playoff qualifying run or the playoffs. Exhale. They are doing exactly what they are brilliant at – making for drama and story and arc all to drive interest and ratings! It is working but…it is December people. :-)

Every team that is in the midst of a 7 game losing streak looks bad. Every team that has won a bunch of games in a row looks good. We know. We have been there but it is how you bounce back from adversity that matters to me.

We live in a transparent world.

We won’t be the first or the last group that people get to see struggle. On TV or online.

If we are successful the way we want to be this season, the HBO cameras will be long gone anyway.

It is on us.

Let us focus on the games. Let us focus on signal. The rest is noise. We have a long season left. It isn’t a season that will be summed up in 3 more episodes of reality television that is so well produced. The season won’t end on January 1st at the Winter Classic. We will still have 42 games left to play! More than half of the season is left to play AFTER the Winter Classic. It is ok to exhale now.

Let us go back to having a bit more fun.

Let us not lose perspective.
Go Caps!

24/7

Posted on by

I watched the show. I couldn’t wait until Saturday because I was curious after so many people were emailing me today asking me to comment. I now know what all of the buzz is about.

I think the show will be fantastic for the NHL and for the fans. HBO has done a magnificent job of capturing the human drama behind the scenes. When you lose, all is dark. When you win, all is right in the world.

There are two teams that will play in the Winter Classic. Here are their real time stories leading up to the game. The editing is just world class. The photography is awe-inspiring. The game action like we have never seen before on television.

I think it has been produced fairly and accurately. The production value is fantastic and they treat the game with respect and the players as well.

I have never been in a closed locker room when the coach is yelling and cursing so that was a first of its kind moment for me as well! To be honest, I have never heard our coach or an exec really curse in a meeting like that before so I think I am reacting like you all are as a viewer, too. Yikes!

I was honored to be asked to speak on camera. The short interview was all I agreed to do as I believe this series has to focus on the game itself and the players.

I knew what we were signing up for in participating in this series. I have no regrets in our team doing it. It is good for the NHL. It is good for the game. We are playing in a showcase event on New Year’s Day. We have to help promote the game and the league itself.

We just need to win some games to make the next set of programming more enjoyable for our fans and our franchise. And our players. It’s pretty simple. Winning often – good. Losing a lot – bad.

When It Is Going Bad – Little Things Go Against You

Posted on by

Goals are called back.

Goals don’t trickle in. See video.

Shots hit the post.

Official’s calls go against you.

But I am an optimist. I believe things will even out.

I received an email from a fan noting that a couple of years ago a Stanley Cup winner lost all 11 games they played in February.

My response, “I believe in miracles. I just don’t believe in scheduling them.”

Thank you for your words of support. And kindness.

Time to wear my lucky red tie to the next home game which I had been saving. It is time.

Weird Headline

Posted on by

I don’t see plenty of upside in our slide.

I gave a basic one word answer to a tough question, “Yes.” :-)

We did get a point. We did hit plenty of posts.

While we are at it, I am not a cyber tycoon. I was a long term exec at AOL, the publisher of this blog Fanhouse.

I was there at the birth of AOL Sports.

I did say to the blogger, “Do you have confidence in AOL and in Tim Armstrong?” I am a blogger, too, you know. :-)

Just trying to be funny.

A. J. said “Yes.” Glad to hear that!

Double NOT Fun

Posted on by

We haven’t won a game in what seems like forever - Capitals and Wizards.

It isn’t much fun. It is double angst. Double barrel email venting.

I am not comfortable.

That is the truth about it.

We need to double down; have empathy; show patience; and show leadership qualities.

I signed up for it. I know what I am in for all around.

Whatever that means. Read this one.

Are You Not Entertained?

Posted on by

HBO’s 24/7. I hear it is compelling television and I plan to watch it somehow this weekend. I am sure it is fantastic, great and well-produced.

Thank you for the notes and emails regarding the show.

I am glad we have participated. It is great theater for the fans and it is a great way to promote our game. We have that as a responsibility to the NHL: Build the game.

I am glad it is a four part series. Hopefully we can win some games and gain some momentum and our team’s joy instead of frustration can be shown across the screens.

I am reminded of the late great Brandon Tartikoff, former President of NBC and a close friend of mine, when he said, “Ted – remember that television drama only focuses on three acts. Act 1 – Young kid comes out of nowhere, shocks the experts and wins. A happy story. Act 2 – Young kid as winner has a very public and humiliating fall. Humility and lessons learned. Act 3 – Redemption and comeback. America loves a comeback.”

He really said that to me. I only hope he was right! One of the many reasons I loved Brandon Tartikoff as a friend. Go Caps!

The Fighter

Posted on by

Here is the real life fighter from Lowell, Mass.

A riveting real life film. Go see The Fighter in theaters soon. Quite the film! But here is the real story. A story about a real family, a boxing family. The real “Dicki.” The real Micky.

Wicked real and wicked awesome. What a film on SnagFilms.com. Watch this before you go see The Fighter starring Mark Wahlberg.

HBO 24/7 Tonight

Posted on by

HBO’s 24/7 series featuring the Capitals and Penguins airs the first of four episodes this evening. This is fabulously produced and gives viewers an unprecedented look behind the scenes. Unfortunately, however, this coincides with our losing streak and is at a time when Pittsburgh was in the midst of its winning streak.

What previously had been a player’s or a coach’s safe haven for expression now is chronicled by HBO. It’s compelling, but please beware it contains profanity - parental discretion is advised. As you might imagine, in the heat of battle, between periods and immediately following losses, our players and our coaches are upset with themselves and our performance. They are proud and they are passionate, and frankly, they are angry. It shows; you will see it and hear it. It certainly is a unique look at our players and our game, and it is fascinating television.

I guess we now know why there is an NHL-mandated cooling-off period after games and before media may enter the locker room. HBO was granted exclusive 24/7 access, so what you see is unfiltered, but it’s not always pretty. A couple of wins should help the vocabulary. Let Go Caps!

Very Sobering

Posted on by

A good read and a whack on the side of the head.

I must admit though – in regards to HBO – I don’t think they have been a huge distraction. It hasn’t bothered the Penguins. It shouldn’t bother us.

On a personal note to date, HBO has spent less than 45 minutes with me – about one session’s worth of email per morning for me.

This is a good read about change and about the new NHL and about the Caps.