Daily Archives: March 14, 2011

Tonality – A Growth Stock

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Read this article please.

This is the kind of tonality and outcome that is possible as a part of a rebuild. Take solace Wizards’ fans that this is what can happen if we execute the plan as outlined. We need some luck; some support; some good fortune; and some patience.

But read it. It is the home stretch of the season. The Capitals have won 10 of the last 11 games. We hit 40 wins for the 4th consecutive season. We have never done that before as a franchise. I believe we have one of the best records in the NHL in that 4 year span for the regular season.

Youth is being served. Marcus Johansson, a rookie center and a #1 draft pick is forced to play the #1 center position because of injury to Nicklas Backstrom who we also drafted in the first round. Marcus is playing fantastic hockey and he made the great pass – in overtime – for us to win the game. One of the bloggers stated he should never play in the NHL this season and should be down in Hershey. No one knows nothing.

We played a rookie goaltender. He got the win and we made some history. We are the only team to have three goaltenders win at least 7 games in a season that are 22 years of age or younger. We are best positioned in NHL with a great group of young and talented goaltenders. Of course some members of the media demanded we make trades for an experienced goaltender.

We played two rookie D men all game, too. The young players form our core. That move was dissected and critiqued, too.

And our newly acquired vets via trade or free agency or waiver wire pick up – Scott Hannan, Mike Knuble, Jason Arnott, Dennis Wideman and Marco Sturm – all contributed greatly. We were able to attract them to the team. They all wanted to play here. Some waived no trade agreements and are so happy to play in front of a sea of red and our 97th consecutive sellout! No one predicted or felt we could sell out every game nor attract vets to play here in DC 5 years ago. Or that we could make these moves under a salary cap system. Wrong again.

And of course we were able to keep our great players – Alex Ovechkin, the two-time league MVP; Mike Green, a first team All Star; Nicklas Backstrom; and Alex Semin – here under contract. We drafted all of these players. That was another bit of angst from the experts. Great players will flee DC when their contracts end. Nope. Wrong again.

We have been smart about the salary cap.

We have gotten younger and better as time has gone on. We have upside.

We all now have forgotten the tough times associated with the initial rebuild. We are positive in our outlook. We are looking forward. We have hope.

My point is this – the Capitals do provide a measure of solace and belief and confidence that we can execute on a rebuild plan. Each league and sport is different. Each circumstance is personalized as to execution but I am confident that if we execute well, we can make the Wizards successful; and a team that you can be proud of; and one that is hyper competitive in the new world order of the NBA. Thank you for listening and for your ongoing support.

Yep – That is the Plan

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As I noted, I think after the next draft we will have acquired enough young assets for the Washington Wizards. Basically we will have added 6 first round picks to the lineup in 1.5 years. We needed an infusion of talent and hunger and the 6 picks are a lot to digest quickly.

We also will have financial flexibility to keep our key players and with young assets and new potential rules in the NBA a-coming, we hope to be able to make some astute trades and eventually free agent signings. I want an efficient rebuild and as noted here, there is a price to pay in a rebuild but the outcomes are worth it. I see the rebuild taking three full seasons. I know that is a lot to ask but we have to be honest with everyone. We will load up on young players. We will await the new rules (if any) in the NBA. We will add free agents. We will make trades. We will play the youngsters to gain experience and then I think we will have a very good team for a long, long time. That is the plan.

The Oklahoma City model looks a lot like the Washington Capitals model to me. Please read this article and we will see you all tonight at the game.

World’s Most Powerful Man at Caps Game

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We played the Chicago Blackhawks yesterday so it was only appropriate that the most powerful man in the world would finally come to a game with us.

We are so grateful and it was so wonderful to welcome…DJ Pauly D!!!!

Who needs POTUS when you can have DJ Pauly D come to the box; pose for pictures with everyone; and go up on the big screen and “Beat that beat up.”

He is a very polite young man, very studious and courteous. I liked him very much. He and Alex Ovechkin have become friends. John Carlson and Eric Fehr know him as well.

He brought us luck. He is welcomed back anytime.

Beat that beat up. Click here for the official site of DJ Pauly D.

A Nice Win – Thank You

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We have won 8 in a row now. We have 90 points and we are 1 point out of first place in the East and 18 points ahead of the 9th place team in the East.

That was a sweet win in front of a national TV audience and before a packed house. Yesterday was the biggest gate day we have ever experienced for the Washington Capitals with the most tickets sold for a regular season game and the most dollars generated. Thank you so much. I know several of our fans sold their tickets on reseller sites and made a huge profit as well. I wish you had come to the game. You missed a great experience.

Our young players played outstanding hockey again and our vets – Jason Arnott and Mike Knuble – delivered for us. And I was happy to see Boyd Gordon’s short-handed goal. That was very helpful in getting us back into the game. Brooks Laich’s goal was huge, too. It was a true team effort and win.

We catch our breath for one day then go on the road for 6 tough games against the likes of the Canadiens, Red Wings, Flyers, Devils and Senators.

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