Read this post and this post from February 15th. Wry?
Congratulations to the Washington Capitals organization for clinching its fourth straight SE Division Crown.
And for moving back into first place in the East.
And to Alex Ovechkin for scoring his 300th goal, the 6th fastest to this milestone in NHL history. He continues to score big and important goals for us. We are grateful.
For a team “as soft as Charmin” read this one. We seem to have overcome a lot of adversity and I am proud of the teams “stick-with-it-ness.”
Two more games to go. Last home game of the regular season is tonight. Saturday in Florida and then let the chips fall where they may.
This season has been a grind.
You decide if we are an elite NHL team or not.
It doesn’t matter to us. We are what we are. We are what our record says we are and we are grateful to have such great fans. Thank you. See you all tonight. Go Caps!
Ted. Winning the SE and the East means nothing unless you win the Cup. It was kind of a foregone conclusion they would win the SE before the season started. Cup or bust.
As you know, Ted, we are as happy as you are with the team’s progress. Pointing out a team’s weaknesses when said weaknesses are evident, then seeing the team overcome them, is incredibly gratifying. As that terrific article in The Sun made clear, not just the Leafs are envious of a dedicated and accessible owner.
Win in the playoffs, Ted. How many series victories do you have in your years as owner of the Caps? As owner of the Caps and Mystics? Win, Ted. Then gloat.
“You decide if we are an elite team or not”…hmmm or we can just wait for the playoffs. Great regular seasons mean nothing to truly successful franchises. Now win something! good luck caps
and for arriving? oh, wait.
Ted,
I would genuinely be interested in your response to a few questions.
1. At the time those blogs were written, the Caps had lost 20 of their previous 30 games (some in OT/SO fashion, so they did get some points, but losses nonetheless). There were a number of times that players were photographed out late the night before a game (one that I remember off hand was Ovechkin pictured DJing, or at the DJ box late at night before the 12.30 game against the LA Kings the following morning). What exactly in the article do you object to. The team has evolved, but at the time, they looked, and played like a group of overpaid primadonnas. Why did you wait until almost 2 months after the fact before calling them out? Surely if you disagreed you could have included your opinion in one of your many prior Caps themed blogs?
2. Why do you feel the need to respond to every criticism of the team in your blog? I understand that it is your team, and you want to protect your brand. But these petty, and more often than not, snarky passive aggressive blogs only make you seem bitter. You yourself declared an end to snark on April 8th 2009 (http://www.tedstake.com/2009/04/08/calling-the-bottom-the-death-of-snark/). But it’s increasingly a tone you use in your blog. Why?
3. Sometimes criticism is warranted. For a significant period earlier in the season, the Caps looked listless and disinterested. You yourself said on local radio that you thought they may be subconsciously pacing themselves. Are you saying that any criticism during that period was unfair?
4. Do you worry about your image with fans with your blog posts? Many fans, casual and hardcore follow a variety of local bloggers. They follow them because more often than not, they will give them in interesting angle on the team they love. Sometimes it’s an angle that shows warts, others an angle that radiates (like current offerings from OnFrozenBlog titled “return to prominence”).
Personally, I’ve always thought of you as a fan friendly, accessible owner. But the more I see/read you snipe a local bloggers, or use petty, passive aggressive slogans like “Try to be happy. You can do it” the more it seems like it’s all a facade. Do you worry about your image (not your teams)?
The Caps are an easy team to love. Great, quoteable down to earth coach, best player in the world, hardworking veterans and they seem to be a tight unit off the ice as well. Snarky blogging is the only thing that takes the shine off.
Try to be happy. You can do it
Teddy I have always said its not how we do the job during the good times but how we do the job during the difficult times. We have learned how to win and be in control during DIFFICULT TIMES. It’s one of life’s important lessons, it’s one of hockeys importsnt lessons and that’s what BRUCEEEEE has taught the team this season. And of course A Magnificent Defensive Style of Play. We are ALL on board. Way To Go Caps!!
No question you’re an elite NHL “Regular Season” Team, but when it comes to play-off’s – you are what your record says – 1 and done for the past ??? years.
It’s high time that locker room “got it” and manned up and show us some leadership and sacrifice to make play-off success a reality!
So did you agree to the bet?
What happens in the first round will decide what the Caps are. But I am tired of hearing how flyers are having problems withot Pronger. The Caps been winning without Green.
Thanks for a great season! I’m proud to be a Caps fan and can’t wait for the next couple months. Go Caps!
It’s not to us to decide if the Caps are an elite team. They have to make the decision and advance in the playoffs. Anything less than the Eastern Conf. Championship and a trip to the Finals won’t shake the jinx…
History will be made.
You are entitled to your opinions. You are not entitled to your own facts.
4 straight SE Division crowns. A chance for a 2nd straight Eastern Conference title. One of the top 3 teams in the NHL this year despite all this feedback.
Good game last night. Looking forward to getting Green back for the next 18-30 games (2 reg season plus however many it takes to, you know …)